WP-CLI Backup: Easy Guide

Command-line tools like WP-CLI offer a lot more control over site management. A lot of tasks like backups can now be completed in a few commands. It’s easy to navigate if you have the technical expertise and a grasp over the commands. 

In our experience, if you’re looking for a setup-and-forget  solution, a WordPress backup plugin is the best way to go. These tools automatically create reliable backups in the background. If you need to restore a backup, you’ll be able to do so in a few clicks. .

With that being said, in this article, we’ll cover the commands needed to perform WordPress backups using WP-CLI. We’ll break down all the steps you need to take and help you navigate it. 

TL;DR: To create a reliable WordPress backup using WP-CLI, you’ll need to combine the wp db export and the tar command. 

For the sake of this tutorial we tested and compiled a list of commands for Linux and MacOS systems. Take a WP – CLI backup on Windows will have their own set of commands.

Take a WP-CLI Backup

The most reliable approach to WordPress backups involves creating complete backups that include both your site files and database tables. Partial backups like just a database backup, can actually cause more trouble when you need to restore your site. 

Expert advice: The best way to save storage space and create reliable backups is to use a combination of different types of backups. We recommend using full and incremental backups. It’s the best of both worlds. 

1. Connect to your server: 

ssh username@server-ip 

Replace username and server-ip  with your own SSH credentials. You’ll also be prompted to add your password. 

If you need to, navigate to your public_html folder. 

2. Export site files into a folder: 

mkdir flbackup 

Creates a new directory called “flbackup” and stores a backup of all your site files. 

3. Export database tables into a .sql file

wp db export dbbackup.sql

Exports your WordPress database into a SQL file named “dbbackup.sql”

4. Create a folder to organise your backups:

mkdir wpclibackup

5. Move both backups:

mv flbackup dbbackup.sql wpclibackup/

This moves both your file backups and database backups to the wpclibackup folder

6. Download the folder: 

exit 

First you need to exit your SSH session 

scp -r username@server-ip:public_html/wpclibackup ~/Desktop/ 

Replace username and server ip with your SSH credentials. You will be prompted to type your password. You can also change up the paths as needed.  

This will recursively download the entire backup folder from your server to your local Desktop

7. Verify your backup: 

Check that both the compressed file archive and database SQL file are present in your downloaded backup folder to ensure the backup completed successfully

Restore a WP-CLI Backup

Restoring your WordPress site from a WP-CLI backup involves reversing the backup process by uploading your backup files to the server and then extracting and importing them back to their original locations. 

Expert advice: Before restoring a backup, always create a fresh backup of your current site first. This gives you a safety net in case something goes wrong during the restoration process.

1. Upload the backup folder to your server:

scp -r ~/Desktop/wpclibackup username@server-ip:public_html/

Replace username and server-ip with your actual SSH credentials. You’ll be prompted to enter your password. This command uploads your entire backup folder from your local Desktop back to your server’s public_html directory.

2. Connect to your server:

ssh username@server-ip

Replace username and server-ip with your SSH credentials and enter your password when prompted. Navigate to your public_html folder if needed.

3. Extract the site files backup: Your wpclibackup folder contains flbackup/filebackup.tar.gz with all your WordPress files.

cd public_html/wpclibackup/flbackup
tar -xzf filebackup.tar.gz -C ../../

This extracts the compressed file archive back to your WordPress root directory. It will replace/overwrite any existing files with the same names and paths. 

4. Import the database: Since you’re already in the public_html folder, navigate to your backup folder and reset the database before importing:

cd wpclibackup
wp db reset --yes
wp db import dbbackup.sql

This drops all existing WordPress tables and recreates a fresh, empty database. 

5. Verify your restoration: Check that your WordPress files and database are properly restored by visiting your website. Ensure your wp-config.php file has the correct database name, username, and password. Test key functionality like logging into the admin area and viewing your content

Best Practices for WP-CLI Backups

Implementing WP-CLI backups effectively requires more than just knowing the basic commands—it demands a strategic approach that addresses security, reliability, and long-term maintenance. Following established best practices helps you avoid common pitfalls like data corruption, storage issues, and restoration failures that can occur when backup procedures aren’t properly planned. These guidelines will help you create a robust backup system that provides reliable protection for your WordPress site while minimizing potential risks and operational overhead.

1. Backup Both Database and Files: Partial backups often fail during restoration because WordPress requires both database content and supporting files to function properly.
2. Automate Backups with Cron Jobs or Scheduled Tasks: Manual backups are frequently forgotten or skipped, leaving your site vulnerable during critical periods when you need protection most. Set up cron jobs or scheduled tasks to run your WP-CLI backup commands automatically, ensuring consistent protection without relying on memory.
3. Use Consistent Naming Conventions and Timestamp Backups: Disorganized backup files create confusion during emergencies when quick restoration is essential for minimizing downtime. Use consistent naming patterns like backup-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS.sql to easily identify the right backup version when you need it urgently.
4. Store Backups Securely and Offsite: Local backups become useless if your server crashes, gets hacked, or experiences hardware failure—the same events that make backups necessary. Always transfer completed backups to secure, offsite locations using tools like SCP or cloud storage to protect against total data loss. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 321 backup strategy. 
5. Validate Backup Integrity: Corrupted or incomplete backups are only discovered during restoration attempts, often when your site is already down and time is critical. Regularly test your backup files by importing them in staging environments to verify they work before you actually need them.
6. Avoid Backing Up During High Traffic Periods: Large backup operations consume server resources and can significantly slow down your website, potentially driving away visitors and affecting search rankings. Schedule backups during low-traffic periods to maintain optimal site performance while ensuring data protection.

Considerations of WP-CLI Backup

While WP-CLI backup methods offer powerful control and flexibility for WordPress site management, they come with certain limitations and requirements that you should carefully evaluate before implementation. Understanding these considerations will help you determine whether WP-CLI backups are the right fit for your specific needs and technical environment. 

Lack of Incremental Backup Support 

Incremental backups only save changes made since the last backup, significantly reducing storage space and backup time. WP-CLI backups don’t offer this functionality without the technical expertise. However, BlogVault offers built-in incremental backup features by default. After the first backup, every other backup is faster and smaller. 

No Automated Scheduling 

Automated backup scheduling ensures your site is consistently protected without manual intervention, running backups at optimal times when traffic is low. WP-CLI lacks built-in scheduling capabilities, requiring users to set up external cron jobs or task schedulers to automate the backup process. However, BlogVault provides automated scheduling out of the box, allowing you to set backup frequencies and times through a simple interface without any technical configuration.

Potential Performance Impact on Live Site

Large backup operations can consume significant server resources, potentially slowing down your website during peak traffic hours when users are actively browsing. WP-CLI backup commands that export large databases or copy extensive file sets may create noticeable performance impacts on your live site during the backup process. However, BlogVault runs backups using minimal server resources and performs them independently without affecting your site’s performance or user experience.

No Built-in Encryption or Security Features

Backup security is essential since backup files contain sensitive data including user information, passwords, and site configurations that could be exploited if compromised. WP-CLI backup commands don’t provide encryption capabilities, leaving backup files vulnerable unless you manually implement encryption using additional tools and scripts. However, BlogVault automatically encrypts all backup data during transfer and storage, ensuring your backups remain secure without requiring any additional technical setup.

No Versioning or Backup Retention Management

Effective backup management requires maintaining multiple backup versions while automatically removing old backups to prevent storage overflow and maintain organized backup archives. WP-CLI doesn’t track backup versions or manage retention policies, forcing users to create custom scripts for automatic cleanup and version management. However, BlogVault automatically manages backup versions and retention policies, maintaining multiple restore points while intelligently managing storage space without manual intervention.

Complexity for Non-Technical Users 

User-friendly backup solutions should be accessible to all WordPress users regardless of their technical background, allowing site owners to protect their content without learning complex procedures. WP-CLI commands require familiarity with command-line interfaces and deep knowledge of WordPress file structures, making them inaccessible for non-technical users compared to simple plugin solutions. However, BlogVault provides an intuitive dashboard that allows anyone to manage backups, restorations, and scheduling through a simple point-and-click interface.

Alternatives to Using WP-CLI for Database Backups

While WP-CLI offers powerful command-line control for database backups, it’s not the only method available for protecting your WordPress data. Depending on your technical comfort level and specific requirements, alternative approaches may better suit your needs and provide additional features that WP-CLI lacks.

• Using a Backup Plugin: WordPress backup plugins provide user-friendly interfaces that handle both database and file backups without requiring command-line knowledge. Popular plugins like BlogVault, UpdraftPlus, or BackupBuddy offer automated scheduling, cloud storage integration, and one-click restoration features that eliminate the technical complexity of WP-CLI commands. These plugins are ideal for non-technical users who want reliable backups without learning command-line procedures or writing custom scripts.

• Using phpMyAdmin or Your Database Manager: Most web hosting control panels include phpMyAdmin or similar database management tools that allow you to export WordPress through a web interface. 

Final Thoughts

WP-CLI backups can be an effective solution if you have sufficient technical knowledge and a solid understanding of WordPress file structures and database management. The command-line approach offers flexibility and control that appeals to developers and system administrators who enjoy customizing their backup workflows and integrating them with existing server management processes.

However, for most WordPress site owners, the easier and more reliable option is definitely to use a dedicated backup solution like BlogVault. With automated scheduling, incremental backups, built-in security features, and user-friendly restoration options, BlogVault eliminates the technical complexity while providing enterprise-level backup functionality that WP-CLI simply cannot match without extensive custom scripting and ongoing maintenance.

FAQs

Does WP-CLI have a built-in backup command? 

No, WP-CLI does not have a single built-in command for complete site backups. You need to use separate commands like wp db export for the database and standard file management tools like tar or cp to backup your WordPress files and folders.

How do I backup my WordPress database using WP-CLI? 

Use the command wp db export filename.sql to export your WordPress database to an SQL file. For example, wp db export backup-2024-01-15.sql creates a database backup with a timestamped filename for easy identification.

How can I backup my WordPress files using WP-CLI? 

WP-CLI doesn’t provide direct file backup commands, so you need to use standard system commands alongside WP-CLI. Use tar -czf backup.tar.gz wp-content/ to compress and backup your wp-content folder, or cp -r wp-content/ /backup/location/ to copy files to another location.

Can I automate WP-CLI backups? 

Yes, you can automate WP-CLI backups by creating shell scripts that combine your backup commands and scheduling them with cron jobs (Linux/macOS) or Task Scheduler (Windows). For example, add 0 2 * * * /path/to/backup-script.sh to your crontab to run backups daily at 2 AM.

Where should I store my WP-CLI backup files? 

Store backups outside your web root directory and preferably offsite to protect against server failures. Use secure locations with proper file permissions (chmod 600) and consider uploading to cloud storage services like Amazon S3 or Google Drive using additional scripts for maximum protection.