---
title: "Connect Claude to WordPress"
url: "https://plugpress.co/docs/connect-claude-to-wordpress.md"
canonical: "https://plugpress.co/docs/connect-claude-to-wordpress/"
published: "2026-07-28"
modified: "2026-08-01"
author: "Fahim"
description: "Connect the Claude desktop app to your WordPress site with Saddle. Paste one config block, restart Claude, and manage your content by chatting."
tags:
  - "Saddle"
---

# Connect Claude to WordPress

**The Claude desktop app can read and manage your WordPress content in plain conversation** — drafting posts, editing pages, organising media. Setup is one config block that Saddle generates for you.

## What do I need before connecting?

- A WordPress site on **HTTPS** with the [Saddle plugin](/docs/what-is-saddle/) installed and activated.
- The [Claude desktop app](https://claude.ai/download).
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) — Claude’s config uses it to reach your site.

## How do I connect Claude to my WordPress site?

### Step 1: Open the connect wizard

In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Saddle → Connections**, click **Connect an app**, and choose **Claude**.

![Saddle connect wizard in WordPress showing the Choose app step with Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI, VS Code and Any MCP app](https://plugpress.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/saddle-connect-wizard-choose-app.png)

### Step 2: Copy the generated config

![Saddle setup step for the Claude desktop app showing the mcpServers JSON configuration](https://plugpress.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/saddle-connect-claude-setup.png)

It looks like this — yours has your real address and key:

```
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "saddle-your-site": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://your-site.com/wp-json/saddle/v1/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Basic PASTE-YOUR-KEY-HERE"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

**Copy it before closing the wizard.** The key appears this once, and backing out early revokes it. Lost it? Use **Rotate key** on the app’s row.

### Step 3: Paste it into Claude’s config

1. In Claude, open **Settings → Developer → Edit Config**.
2. Paste the config in and save the file.
3. Restart the Claude app.

## How do I know it worked?

After restarting, ask:

```
What can you see on my WordPress site?
```

Claude should report your site name, WordPress version, and content counts, and the app appears in **Saddle → Connections**.

## What can Claude do on my site?

Only what you allow. Sites start at **Just reading**; raise it on the [Permissions](/docs/permissions-access-levels/) screen when you’re ready. Deletions always go through a [preview-and-confirm approval](/docs/safe-deletions/) first.

## It didn’t connect — what now?

If Claude lists no tools after restarting, check Node.js is installed and that the config file is valid JSON — a stray comma is the most common cause. Then open **Saddle → Connections → Connection details & health** and click **Test the endpoint** to rule out the site side. More in [Troubleshooting and FAQ](/docs/troubleshooting/).

## FAQ

### Why does Claude need Node.js when other apps don’t?

The desktop app launches MCP servers as local programs, so it uses `mcp-remote` to bridge to your site over HTTP. Apps that support remote servers directly don’t need it.

### Can I connect more than one site?

Yes — add another entry under `mcpServers`. Each site’s wizard generates a distinct name, so they don’t collide.

### Is this the same as Claude Code?

No, they’re separate apps and each needs its own connection. See [Connect Claude Code](/docs/connect-claude-code-to-wordpress/).

## Related guides

- [Getting started: connect your first AI app](/docs/getting-started/)
- [Permissions and access levels](/docs/permissions-access-levels/)
- [Editing content and design with AI](/docs/editing-content-and-design/)
- [Troubleshooting and FAQ](/docs/troubleshooting/)