Installation Guide

Respira enables you to use AI tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, and other MCP-compatible assistants to safely edit and manage your WordPress site.

This guide walks you through installing the Respira for WordPress plugin, generating an API key, setting up the MCP server on your machine, and connecting your preferred AI assistant.

If you are new to Respira, see the Introduction for a product overview.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

• Access to your WordPress admin dashboard
• Permission to install plugins on your WordPress site
• Node.js 18+ installed on your local machine
• A Respira license or active trial
• (Optional) A staging site if you prefer to test before going live

Step 1: Install the Respira for WordPress plugin

Option A: Download from respira.press (Recommended)

1. Go to respira.press/releases
2. Download the latest respira-for-wordpress-x.x.x.zip
3. In WordPress Admin, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
4. Choose the ZIP file and click Install Now
5. Click Activate Plugin

Option B: Manual installation

1. Download the plugin ZIP file
2. Extract it to your WordPress wp-content/plugins/ directory
3. Go to Plugins in WordPress Admin
4. Find Respira for WordPress and click Activate

Step 2: Generate an API key

1. Go to Respira → API Keys in WordPress Admin
2. Click Generate API Key
3. Give it a name such as My Development Machine
4. Copy and save the API key — it cannot be viewed again

Step 3: Install the MCP server

The MCP server (@respira/wordpress-mcp-server) runs locally on your machine and connects your AI assistant to WordPress. See the Release History for the latest version and updates.

Option A: Interactive Setup Wizard (Recommended)

The easiest way to get started. The wizard guides you through configuration step-by-step:

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

The setup wizard will:

• Guide you through configuration step-by-step
• Validate your WordPress URL and API key
• Test your connection before saving
• Generate the config file automatically
• Show you what to add to your AI tool

Option B: One-Click Install for Cursor

If you're using Cursor, click the button below to install automatically:

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

Option C: Manual npm Installation

Install globally with npm:

npm install -g @respira/wordpress-mcp-server

Or run without installing globally:

npx -y @respira/wordpress-mcp-server

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

Step 4: Create site configuration

If you didn't use the setup wizard, create the config file manually at ~/.respira/config.json:

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

Step 5: Connect your AI assistant

See the Configuration Guide for setup instructions for:

• Cursor
• Claude Code
• Windsurf
• Claude Desktop

Once connected, refer to the Usage Guide to learn how to prompt your assistant effectively.

You are all set

Once configured, you can start using AI to edit your WordPress site. Try prompting your assistant with:

• "List all pages on my WordPress site"
• "Create a duplicate of the About page"
• "Update the homepage title to 'Welcome'"
• "Analyze the SEO of my homepage"

Next steps

FAQ

Do I have to use npm to install the MCP server?

No. You can use the setup wizard (npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --setup), install globally via npm, or run with npx without installing. All options use the same MCP server.

Do I need Node.js installed?

Yes. The MCP server requires Node.js 18 or higher. Check your version with node --version.

Can I install Respira on a staging site first?

Yes. Many users install the plugin on a staging or development site before enabling it on production.

What should I do if something fails during installation?

Run npx @respira/wordpress-mcp-server --test to test your connection. See the Troubleshooting guide for common issues and solutions.

If you need help, contact support at word@respira.press.

How do I manage multiple WordPress sites?

Run the setup wizard again and add another site, or edit ~/.respira/config.json directly. Use wordpress_switch_site in your AI assistant to switch between sites.

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Questions? Email word@respira.press