This hands-on Workshop will help you get started with running WordPress on your local laptop or desktop. We'll first talk about WHY you need to work locally and how to think about working more safely with your production websites. We’ll be talking ServerPress/Desktop Server and their ‘blueprint’ functionality. We’ll also be talking about Migration strategies to your hosting company, whether you’re launching a new website to a blank WordPress install or ‘merging’ some new functionality into an existing website. Plugins & Functionalities discussed: ServerPress & DesktopServer WP Migrate DB (& WP Migrate DB Pro) WPEngine’s Migration Utility

1. No more “Cowboy Coding”
A Best Practices Guide to
Local Development & Migration
all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

2. How many of you have done THIS?

3. Or This? (without a backup)

4. Or This?

5. Well, That’s Cowboy Coding!
And we don’t
take KINDLY to
those kinda
SHENANIGANS!
(and neither do
your clients)
all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

6. Overview:
• Regular Backups
(Even Better in the CLOUD!)
• Local Development FIRST
• Understanding the WordPress Database
& File Structure
• Version Control Process
(& why it’s so important)
• Migrating a LIVE Website from Local
(without losing your head)
all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

7. BACKUPS
MINIMUM: Copy your file before editing or replacing into
a backup directory
BETTER: Use Cloud Connected Storage
• OFFSITE
• Sync’d on all your devices (even your phone)
• RESTORE History!
(Easy to get back to prior version)
GREAT for Graphic Files, Project Documents

8. Local Development
Web Server running WordPress w/ MySQL Database
on your LOCAL machine
Why? Gives you a Safety Net
• Test things (and break things) w/o hurting anyone
• Test Plugins and Themes
• Learn the WordPress Database
• Great for Client Demos

9. Common Development Environment

10. Agency/Team Development Environment

11. Local Development: ServerPress
DesktopServer by
ServerPress
http://serverpress.com
• (Works on Mac or
Windows)
• Automates the AMP Stack
(Apache/MariaDB/PHP)
• FREE (up to 3 local
websites)

12. Local Development: Vagrant
• Vagrants
VVV (or Varying Vagrant Vagrants)
• Works on ALL OS’s (with some work)
• (Requires VirtualBox & Vagrant)
• Creates Virtual Machines all within
your desktop (more console based)
• FREE but Complicated
Getting Started Walkthrough:
http://torquemag.io/2014/08/getting-started-vagrant-local-development/
https://webdevstudios.com/2015/01/14/getting-started-vagrant-vvv-local-development/
includes VV List, a VVV Site Wizard

13. Local Development: Docker / Pressmatic
• Docker Containers
• Each site gets a custom environment
• Works on ALL OS’s (with some work)
• FREE but Complicated
Pressmatic - pressmatic.io - $129
• Docker-based
• Easy to use site administration
• Fast site creation
• Import / Export / Default Config Customizations

14. Learn WordPress Database
Two really good resources to learn the structure of where your
files are stored; necessary when you’re doing migrations:
• Tour of the WordPress Database:
https://deliciousbrains.com/tour-wordpress-database/
• Tour of the MultiSite WordPress Database:
https://deliciousbrains.com/wordpress-multisite-database-tour/
• Learning phpMyAdmin & WordPress:
http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/beginners-guide-to-wordpress-database-management-with-phpmyadmin/

15. Learn WordPress File Structure
Specifically WP_CONTENT
All your primary files for your WordPress installation
are in that directory:
/themes/ - all your theme files, active or not
/plugins/ - all your plugins, active or not
/uploads/ - All the Media files
Site Configuration in wp_config.php
https://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Files#wp-content

16. MIGRATIONS
The File & Database are important, because
MINIMUM to copy a WordPress site:
• wp_content/
• wp_config.php (configured to connect to DB on new Server)
• MySQL SQL file imported into that Database
http://www.billerickson.net/migrating-wordpress-websites/

17. MIGRATIONS
Automated Tools for Migrations:
BackupBuddy by iThemes
Handles initial Migration,
not sure about ‘changes’
https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/

18. MIGRATIONS
WP Migrate DB &
WP Migrate DB Pro
by Delicious Brains
Handles all Data migrations
with a PUSH/PULL
technology
VERY Powerful!
https://deliciousbrains.com/wp-migrate-db-pro/

19. WP Migrate DB Pro
Local REMOTE
Can also handle MEDIA files
and new version can handle MultiSite
(subsites to single install & back)

20. Version Control with GIT
Incredibly powerful, but
sometimes Incredibly
complicated tool that can
save your life (and the life
of your project), if you
know how to use it.
LUCKILY….
http://wordpress.tv/2015/12/13/morten-rand-hendriksen-github-for-the-rest-of-us/
http://mor10.com/github-wcus/

21. Git Tools
• GitHub Desktop (Mac & Windows)
https://desktop.github.com/
• BitBucket / SourceTree (Mac & Windows)
https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/
• Tower for Git (paid, Mac Only)
https://www.git-tower.com/
• Additional Tutorials:
https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-git
https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucket/bitbucket-tutorials-teams-in-space-training-ground-755338051.html

22. Perfect Team
With GIT for Version control of my
theme stuff
and WP Migrate DB Pro to keep my
Data in sync
the Cloud for my Graphic Files
and Local Development with
Vagrant, I’m safe & effective
all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

23. Desktop Server Workshop

24. Desktop Server Workshop
Desktop Server needs to be run with Supervisory Permissions
(On Windows it should only ask the first time)

25. Desktop Server Workshop
Fires up your web services and database.

26. Desktop Server Workshop
Web & Database are running!

27. Desktop Server Workshop
Primary DesktopServer Menu

28. Desktop Server Workshop
Creating a New Local Web Server

29. Desktop Server Workshop
Using a Blueprint to Start Your New Server

30. Desktop Server Workshop
When you click the “Sites” button