Configuration Guide

This page focuses on the standalone Respira MCP server configuration path.

If you want the WordPress-native stack instead, see WordPress AI Stack Compatibility. If you want the curated Elementor browser workflow, see Elementor Angie.

Quick Setup (Dashboard Recommended)

Open respira.press → Dashboard → MCP Setup and choose:

• Download config file per client
• Copy one-time install command
• Copy AI setup prompt

This is the recommended flow for multi-site and stacked plans.

Local CLI Setup

The fastest way to configure Respira is using the interactive setup wizard with @respira/wordpress-mcp-server:

npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup

The wizard will guide you through configuration, validate your connection, and generate all config files automatically.

CLI Options

npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup   # Run setup wizard
npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --list    # List configured sites
npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --test    # Test connection to default site
npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --help    # Show help

Cursor

Configure Respira to work with Cursor.

Manual Configuration

Create or edit .cursor/mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "respira-wordpress": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@respira/wordpress-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Then create your site configuration by running:

npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup

Or manually create ~/.respira/config.json:

{
  "sites": [
    {
      "id": "my-site",
      "name": "My WordPress Site",
      "url": "https://your-site.com",
      "apiKey": "respira_your-api-key-here",
      "default": true
    }
  ]
}

Restart Cursor to load the MCP server configuration.

Codex

Configure Respira to work with Codex.

Add to Codex MCP configuration:

[mcp_servers.respira-wordpress]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@respira/wordpress-mcp-server"]

Claude Code

Configure Respira to work with Claude Code (CLI) or Claude Desktop.

For Claude Code (CLI)

Add to ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "respira-wordpress": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@respira/wordpress-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

For Claude Desktop

Find your configuration file:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add the same configuration shown above.

Then create your site configuration:

npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup

Restart Claude Code or Claude Desktop to load the configuration.

Windsurf

Configure Respira to work with Windsurf by Codeium.

Add to your Windsurf MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "respira-wordpress": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@respira/wordpress-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Then run npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup to create your site configuration.

Multiple WordPress Sites

You can configure multiple WordPress sites using the setup wizard or manually.

Option 1: Use dashboard MCP setup (recommended)

Use respira.press → Dashboard → MCP Setup to generate account-wide multi-site config. This includes all eligible connected sites across stacked plans.

Option 2: Use the Setup Wizard

Run npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup and follow prompts to add sites.

Option 3: Manual Configuration

Create or edit ~/.respira/config.json:

{
  "sites": [
    {
      "id": "production",
      "name": "Production Site",
      "url": "https://mysite.com",
      "apiKey": "respira_prod_key",
      "default": true
    },
    {
      "id": "staging",
      "name": "Staging Site",
      "url": "https://staging.mysite.com",
      "apiKey": "respira_staging_key"
    }
  ]
}

Managing Sites

• --list - View all configured sites
• --test - Test connection to the default site
• Use wordpress_switch_site in your AI assistant to switch between sites

Troubleshooting

MCP Server Not Connecting

• Run npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --test to test your connection
• Check that Node.js 18+ is installed: node --version
• Verify your config file exists at ~/.respira/config.json
• Run npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --list to see configured sites

API Key Not Working

• API key may start with respira_ (plugin key) or respira_site_ (dashboard-issued site token)
• Verify the API key is active in WordPress admin (Respira → API Keys)
• Ensure your WordPress site URL includes https://
• Check that the Respira plugin is installed and activated on WordPress

Windows: 'npx' Not Recognized

• Use full path: C:\Program Files odejs px.cmd
• Or install globally: npm install -g @respira/wordpress-mcp-server

Need More Help?

Visit our Troubleshooting page or contact word@respira.press.

Next Steps