# WordPress MCP , explained

> What WordPress MCP is, how the Model Context Protocol, the Abilities API and the official MCP Adapter fit together, and how to connect Claude or ChatGPT to your site.

- Canonical: <https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/wordpress-mcp/>
- Last updated: 2026-10-21
- HTML version: <https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/wordpress-mcp/>

---

- [Overview](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/)
- [Features](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/features/connect/)

  [Ways to connect](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/features/connect/)
  [Agent Ready NEW](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/features/agent-ready/)
  [Safety and Recovery NEW](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/safety-and-recovery/)
- [Getting Started](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/how-it-works/)

  [How It Works](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/how-it-works/)
  [WordPress MCP Guide NEW](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/wordpress-mcp/)
  [Connect Claude](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/connect-claude/)
  [Connect ChatGPT](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/connect-chatgpt/)
  [Editing Elementor with Claude](https://royalplugins.com/blog/editing-elementor-with-claude-four-workflows/)
- [Troubleshooting](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/troubleshooting-start-here/)

  [Start Here — Quick Checklist](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/troubleshooting-start-here/)
  [Diagnose with curl](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/diagnose-mcp-with-curl/)
  [Common Patterns](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/#troubleshooting)
- [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/royal-mcp/)
- [All Docs](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-mcp/)

Overview
Features — Ways to connect
— Agent Ready (NEW)
— Safety and Recovery (NEW)
Getting Started — How It Works
— WordPress MCP Guide (NEW)
— Connect Claude
— Connect ChatGPT
— Editing Elementor with Claude
Troubleshooting — Start Here
— Diagnose with curl
— Common Patterns
Support (wp.org Forum)
All Docs

Royal MCP · Guide

What the Model Context Protocol is, how WordPress supports it through the Abilities API and the official MCP Adapter, where WordPress.com fits in, and how to connect Claude, ChatGPT and other AI agents to your site.

By Jameson · Founder & Lead Developer · Updated October 2026

**WordPress MCP** is how AI assistants work with a WordPress site. An *MCP server* lists the actions an AI is allowed to take on your site, like reading a post, updating a product or clearing a cache, and an AI client such as Claude or ChatGPT calls those actions for you. WordPress core now defines actions through the *Abilities API*, the official *MCP Adapter* turns them into MCP tools, and plugins like Royal MCP supply the tools, sign-in and safety controls that make it practical on real sites.

[What is MCP?](#what-is-mcp)
[How a request works](#request-flow)
[WordPress’s MCP stack](#wordpress-stack)
[Where it runs](#where-it-runs)
[WordPress.com MCP](#wordpress-com)
[Four ways in](#four-ways)
[What AI can do](#what-ai-can-do)
[Safety](#safety)
[Connect your site](#connect)
[FAQ](#faq)

The basics

## What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard for connecting AI assistants to the tools and data they need. Anthropic introduced it in November 2024, and it is now supported by Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, VS Code and many other AI clients.

WordPress

Your posts, pages, store and plugins

MCP server

Lists what the AI may do and carries it out

MCP client

Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and more

Tools

### Actions the AI can call

Each tool has a name, a description and a defined set of inputs, like “update post” with a post ID and new content.

Resources

### Content to read

Material the AI can read for context before it acts, such as site settings or a page’s structure.

Prompts

### Ready-made tasks

Saved instructions for common jobs that the AI client can offer you as one-click starting points.

Local MCP servers talk to the AI app over **stdio** on your own computer. Remote servers, like a plugin on your website, use **Streamable HTTP** and sign you in with **OAuth 2.1**, so the AI app never sees your WordPress password. The protocol has had several revisions; Royal MCP supports 2024-11-05, 2025-06-18, 2025-11-25 and 2026-07-28 and agrees on one with each client automatically.

Step by step

## How one request travels

Ask “change the price of the blue hoodie to $40” and this is what happens in a second or two.

### You ask

You type the request in Claude, ChatGPT or another AI client.

### The AI picks a tool

It reads the server’s tool list and chooses the product-update tool.

### The server checks

Sign-in, your WordPress role, read-only and drafts-only settings, rate limits.

### WordPress acts

The price changes through WordPress and WooCommerce, the same way an admin edit would.

### The AI reports back

The result returns to your chat, and the change can be undone.

Inside WordPress

## WordPress’s MCP stack

### The Abilities API (WordPress 6.9+)

WordPress 6.9 added the Abilities API to core. An *ability* is one action a plugin, theme or WordPress itself can perform, registered with a name, a description, a schema for its inputs and outputs, and a permission check. Abilities can be listed and run through the REST API at `/wp-json/wp-abilities/v1/`. WordPress 7.0 added abilities that run in the browser and a built-in AI Client; 7.1 added one `public` flag that controls whether an ability is exposed to REST and MCP.

### The official MCP Adapter

The MCP Adapter is a plugin from the WordPress project, on WordPress.org since October 2026. It turns registered abilities into an MCP server: its default server shows the AI three general tools (list abilities, describe one, run one), connects over HTTP or WP-CLI, and signs in with Application Passwords. Automattic’s earlier *wordpress-mcp* plugin is archived in favor of it. WooCommerce and Elementor build their own MCP features on it.

The Abilities API defines *what* can be done. Something still has to present it to an AI client, sign the user in and keep calls safe. That’s the job of an MCP server plugin.

**AI client**Claude · ChatGPT · Cursor · Gemini

**Royal MCP**Tools, OAuth sign-in, safety, integrations

**MCP Adapter**Turns abilities into MCP tools

**Abilities API**Defines actions and permissions

**WordPress core**Posts, users, options, plugins

Three setups

## Where WordPress MCP runs

Every WordPress MCP setup falls into one of three shapes. The difference is where the server lives and where your content travels.

On your site

### A plugin you install

The MCP server runs inside your WordPress site and the AI connects to it directly. Your content travels only between your site and your AI client.

- Works on any host
- You control access and safety settings
- Example: Royal MCP

Hosted

### A service that relays calls

The MCP server runs on the vendor’s infrastructure and passes calls to your site, or only works for sites on that platform.

- Nothing to install on some platforms
- Calls pass through the vendor
- Examples: WordPress.com MCP, relay services

Developer

### A local tool

A server running on your own computer that reaches the site through WP-CLI or the REST API, usually for development and staging.

- Good for local and staging sites
- Needs a terminal setup
- Example: the MCP Adapter over WP-CLI

Hosted option

## What about WordPress.com MCP?

WordPress.com runs its own hosted MCP server. It’s included with every paid WordPress.com plan, and self-hosted sites can use it through Jetpack AI or Jetpack Complete. You connect with OAuth, it’s listed in Claude’s connector directory, and every write waits for your confirmation.

Because it’s hosted, every call passes through Automattic’s servers, and it’s built around WordPress.com features. It has no WooCommerce or page-builder tools and works with WordPress.com’s built-in SEO settings rather than plugins like Yoast or Rank Math.

If your site lives on WordPress.com, it’s the natural choice. For self-hosted sites, especially stores and page-builder sites, a plugin like Royal MCP that runs on your own server covers more. [Full comparison →](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp-pro/vs-wordpress-com-mcp/)

|  | WordPress.com MCP | Royal MCP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Where it runs | Automattic’s servers | Your WordPress site |
| Sites | WordPress.com, or Jetpack-connected | Any self-hosted WordPress |
| Cost | Paid WordPress.com plan or Jetpack AI / Complete | Free plugin; Pro from $79/yr |
| WooCommerce | No dedicated tools | 29 free tools |
| Divi and Elementor | No | 23 free tools |
| Undo | Trash for posts, pages and comments | 72 hours for tracked changes |

Royal MCP

## Every tool, four ways in

Royal MCP doesn’t make you choose between its own server and the WordPress standards. Every one of its tools can be reached four ways, so it fits whatever your AI setup already uses.

### 1Native MCP endpoint

A full MCP server at `/wp-json/royal-mcp/v1/mcp` with OAuth 2.1 or an API key. Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor connect here.

**Royal MCP**250+ free tools

### 2Abilities REST API

On WordPress 6.9+, every tool is also an ability at `/wp-json/wp-abilities/v1/`, so scripts and plugins can run it.

### 3Official MCP Adapter

With the MCP Adapter active, Royal MCP registers its own server with it, so adapter-based setups reach the same tools.

### 4WebMCP browser agents

Browser AI agents can use the tools with the visitor’s existing WordPress login. Off by default; one switch turns it on.

It works the other way too: Royal MCP’s endpoint lists the abilities other plugins register alongside its own tools, so one connection gives your AI everything on the site. [See every way to connect →](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/features/connect/)

250+ free tools

## What the AI can do on your site

The free Royal MCP plugin ships 109 core WordPress tools and 150 integration tools that switch on automatically when the matching plugin is active.

**109****WordPress core**

Posts, pages, custom post types, blocks, media, menus, widgets, comments, users and settings.

**29****WooCommerce**

Products, variations, attributes, orders, coupons, customers and store stats.

**23****Elementor and Divi**

14 Elementor tools and 9 for Divi 4 and Divi 5: outlines, text and image swaps, cloning, templates.

**SEO****SEO plugins**

Meta for Yoast SEO, Rank Math, AIOSEO and SEObolt, plus bulk SEO audits.

**+****Forms, security, backups**

WPForms, Contact Form 7, Wordfence, Solid Security, UpdraftPlus, Duplicator and more.

**+****Caching and more**

W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, Redirection, TablePress, Code Snippets, WPCode.

Already using WooCommerce’s or Elementor’s own MCP? Royal MCP answers on its own endpoint, so it doesn’t replace or switch off theirs. When Elementor’s MCP is on, Royal MCP tells the AI that Elementor’s build tools are also available.

Safety

## Keeping AI safe on a live site

Connecting AI to a live site is only as safe as the server in between. These are the controls to look for in any WordPress MCP server, and what Royal MCP does for each.

**Permission checks**

Every tool checks the connected user’s WordPress capabilities before it runs.

**OAuth sign-in**

OAuth 2.1 with PKCE, so the AI app never sees a password. API keys for scripts.

**Read-only mode**

One switch blocks every tool that changes the site, for every AI client at once.

**Drafts-only mode**

Keeps AI changes as drafts until you publish them.

**Undo**

Tracked changes can be reversed for 72 hours. Pro covers every destructive Pro tool for up to 7 days.

**Rate limits**

60 requests a minute without sign-in and 300 with sign-in, per client IP.

**Sensitive data**

Passwords, keys and similar fields are redacted from responses.

**Pro: audit log**

A hash-chained record of every write, plus per-connection tool profiles.

[Compare WordPress MCP servers →](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp-pro/compare/)

Five minutes

## Connect your site to AI

Royal MCP works on WordPress 5.8 and later; the Abilities features need WordPress 6.9 or later.

**Install Royal MCP**

Free from WordPress.org. Activate it like any plugin.

**Copy your MCP URL**

It’s on the Royal MCP settings page.

**Add a connector**

A custom connector in Claude, or an app in ChatGPT.

**Approve sign-in**

On your site. The AI gets a token, never your password.

**Ask for something**

“List my draft posts” is a good first test.

[Connect Claude](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/connect-claude/)  ·  [Connect ChatGPT](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/connect-chatgpt/)  ·  [How Royal MCP works](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/how-it-works/)

FAQ

## WordPress MCP questions

What is WordPress MCP?

WordPress MCP means connecting a WordPress site to AI assistants through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). An MCP server on or for your site lists actions the AI can take, such as reading posts or updating a product, and the AI client calls them with your permission.

Is there an official WordPress MCP server?

WordPress itself provides the building blocks: the Abilities API in WordPress core (6.9 and later) and the official MCP Adapter plugin from the WordPress project. The adapter turns registered abilities into MCP tools. Plugins such as Royal MCP add the actual tools, sign-in, and safety features.

Do I need the MCP Adapter to use Royal MCP?

No. Royal MCP has its own MCP endpoint and works on WordPress 5.8 and later. If the MCP Adapter is installed, Royal MCP also registers its own server with it, so your tools are reachable either way.

Which AI clients can connect to WordPress through MCP?

Any MCP client. Royal MCP is used with Claude (web, desktop and Claude Code), ChatGPT, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini, Perplexity and other MCP-compatible agents.

Is it safe to connect AI to a live WordPress site?

It can be, if the MCP server checks permissions on every call and gives you controls. Royal MCP checks WordPress capabilities on every tool, rate-limits requests, redacts sensitive data, and offers a site-wide read-only mode, a drafts-only mode and undo for tracked changes.

Does Royal MCP work alongside WooCommerce’s or Elementor’s own MCP?

Yes. Royal MCP answers on its own endpoint, so it doesn’t replace or switch off the MCP abilities that WooCommerce or Elementor provide. When Elementor’s MCP is switched on, Royal MCP detects it and tells the AI that Elementor’s own build tools are also available.

What is WordPress.com MCP?

WordPress.com runs its own hosted MCP server for paid WordPress.com plans, and for self-hosted sites through Jetpack AI or Jetpack Complete. Calls pass through Automattic’s servers, and it has no WooCommerce or page-builder tools. For self-hosted WordPress, a plugin like Royal MCP runs on your own server instead.

Is Royal MCP free?

Yes. Royal MCP is free on WordPress.org with 250+ tools. Royal MCP Pro adds 100+ more tools, undo for up to 7 days, a hash-chained audit log and per-connection tool profiles, from $79 a year.

## Connect your site to AI

Install Royal MCP free from WordPress.org, copy your MCP URL and add it as a connector in Claude or ChatGPT.

[Get Royal MCP Free](https://wordpress.org/plugins/royal-mcp/)
[Connect Claude](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/connect-claude/)

Related

## Keep learning

[### Every way to connect

All the paths into Royal MCP, from AI chat apps to scripts and browser agents.

Open page](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp/features/connect/)
[### How to evaluate a WordPress MCP plugin

Five questions that separate real MCP servers from the rest.

Read article](https://royalplugins.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-wordpress-mcp-plugin/)
[### Compare WordPress MCP servers

Royal MCP side by side with WPVibe, Easy MCP AI, Elementor MCP, WooCommerce MCP and more.

See comparisons](https://royalplugins.com/royal-mcp-pro/compare/)