€17 Digital Guide · MCP Setup

Connect WordPress to Claude Desktop — complete MCP setup guide

Read, create, and update WordPress posts directly from Claude Desktop using the Model Context Protocol. Step-by-step for Mac and Windows — Node.js, Application Passwords, and self-hosted WordPress covered.

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The Science Talk · Digital Guide
Connect WordPress to
Claude Desktop via MCP
01Install Node.js
02Create Application Password
03Verify REST API
04Create Site Config File
05Find Your Username
06Configure Claude Desktop
07Launch & Verify
thesciencetalk.com 7 steps · Mac & Windows
7
Clear setup
steps
~15
Minutes to
full setup
Mac & Windows
Full instructions
for both platforms
Self-hosted WP
Works with any
WordPress install
What this guide covers · Key highlights

The parts where most people get stuck

The WordPress MCP setup has several non-obvious requirements. This guide documents every one of them so you don't have to figure them out yourself.

Authentication
Application Password security — no plugins required
WordPress Application Passwords are built into core since version 5.6. The guide covers exactly how to create one, name it, and use it securely with Claude Desktop.
Built-in WordPress feature — no extra installs
HTTPS & local sites
Application Passwords require HTTPS — workaround documented
WordPress disables Application Passwords on plain HTTP by default. If you're on a local or HTTP site, the guide includes the exact filter to re-enable them safely.
Common blocker — fix included
REST API
Verify your REST API is live before configuring anything
Some hosts or security plugins disable the REST API by default. The guide shows you how to test it first — so you're not troubleshooting a config that was never going to work.
Test first, configure second
Site config
The wp-sites.json file — every field explained
The site config file is the most common failure point. The guide covers every required field, the exact format, and the one key that's easy to miss and causes silent failures.
Silent failure — documented fix
Apache hosts
Authorization header stripped on Apache — .htaccess fix included
Many shared hosting providers running Apache strip the Authorization header before it reaches WordPress. The guide includes the exact .htaccess line to add and where to put it.
Affects many shared hosting setups
Troubleshooting
Every common error — with exact fixes
Hammer icon not appearing, 401 authentication errors, connection refused, REST API disabled — each error is documented with the exact solution and why it happens.
Full troubleshooting section
What's inside

7 steps to a working WordPress integration

From installing Node.js to your first verified connection — every step documented for Mac and Windows.

01
Install Node.js
Mac & Windows

Everything you need to get Node.js running on Mac or Windows.

02
Create Application Password
No plugins needed

Set up secure authentication without installing anything extra.

03
Verify REST API
Test first

Confirm your site is ready before touching Claude Desktop.

04
Create Site Config File
wp-sites.json

The config file Claude Desktop uses to find and connect to your site.

05
Find Your Username
Credentials

The exact credential you need — and where to find it in WordPress.

06
Configure Claude Desktop
JSON config

The full claude_desktop_config.json, explained line by line.

07
Launch & Verify
First test

Test the connection and start using WordPress from Claude.

Written by

Built and tested end-to-end by a practitioner

This guide was written by Dr. Pranoti Kshirsagar — founder of The Science Talk, science communicator, and daily Claude Desktop user. Every step was built and documented from a real working setup, including the troubleshooting rabbit holes so you don't have to go down them.

9+
Years in digital
tools & science comms
250+
Scientists
supported
EIC
Official service
provider
What you can do once it's set up
→Read posts: "Show me my 5 most recent published posts"
→Create content: "Draft a new post titled X with this content"
→Update posts: "Change the status of post ID 123 to published"
→SEO analysis: "List all posts missing a meta description"
→Bulk updates: "Find all posts in category Y and list their titles"
→Manage media: "List all images uploaded this month"
€17 · One-time payment

Get the complete setup guide

Everything you need to connect Claude Desktop to your WordPress site — in one clear, tested PDF.

The Science Talk · Digital Guide
Connect WordPress to
Claude Desktop via MCP
01Install Node.js
02Create Application Password
03Verify REST API
04Create Site Config File
05Find Your Username
06Configure Claude Desktop
07Launch & Verify
thesciencetalk.com 7 steps · Mac & Windows
What's included

A single, well-organised PDF that takes you from zero to a working WordPress + Claude Desktop integration — with every pitfall documented and every error solved.

✓Complete Node.js setup for Mac and Windows
✓Application Password walkthrough — built-in WordPress auth, no plugins
✓REST API verification and HTTPS/local site workaround
✓Full Mac and Windows instructions with exact commands
✓Apache .htaccess fix for Authorization header on shared hosting
✓Instant PDF delivery + email support included
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