How to Quickly Install WordPress Via SSH (secure shell) Tutorial

Ever have an insane desire to install a WordPress blog…but because you shun the Devil’s Invention (ie, Windows), you want to embrace the magnificence known as Unix, Linux, and other worthy platforms?  (If not, and you’re looking for an instant WordPress blog installer,  grab your FREE Wordpress blog installer by clicking on the above picture!  The designer of it is beyond brilliant).

After all, as we all know…LIFE…it’s UNIX!  (or coffee, at the very least.  🙂  )

Now, Unix geek that I am, I confess that I regularly install that wondrous joy named WordPress quite often….and I have it fine-tuned now down to a rather magnificent simple process!

And here it is. (NOTE!  If you’re not a geek, this tutorial will not be useful to you.  My apologies)!

Step 1.)  Access the server on which you will install WordPress via ssh/putty/telnet/etc.

Putty is a neat application that gives you a direct connection on Port 22.

Make certain you change your shell to Korn shell, ie, ksh.  Okay, true, you don’t HAVE to do this, but as ksh is the coffee of shells, it’s something anyone with a remote grain of common sense would adore!  (just like REAL women know that TRUE eidting is done with VI and NOT Ed…..  🙂  ).

Hey!  And speaking of ksh, did you know that:

PS1="`hostname`:${PWD#$HOME/}
$ "
PS2="> "

Is the most incredible prompt you can use?  Hmmm?  What was that?  Geek?  Who, me?  What on earth makes you think that?

But I digress.  🙂

Step 2.)  Download the official WordPress zip file and ftp it to your server.

You can grab the official download over at, well, the Official WordPress Download site.  Save it to your local computer and then ftp that zip to your server.

I generally rename my WordPress zip to something more obvious, like

• wp284.zip

prior to uploading.  It’s less characters to type.  🙂

Now, if you’re actually even considering this tutorial, I’m assuming that you shun non-manly applications like graphical ftp. 

But if you do need some assistance with command-line FTP, enjoy:

 Wasn’t that delightful?  Now, armed with the above knowledge, FTP that sucker up!

Step 3.)  CD to your domain root directory and unzip WordPress.

This will create the WordPress sub-directory.

Now, you can do a

mv -f wordpress/* .

to ensure your root directory IS the wordpress blog…or you can rename

• WordPress

to

• Blog

or

• News

or

• Updates

etc.

Step 4.)  Create a MySql database for your WordPress installation

Okay okay okay, yes I’ll ADMIT IT!  I do NOT create the database from the command line!

I use the interface offered by my hosting provider.  My gosh, I wouldn’t touch a manual creation of a MySQL database with a brimming coffee cup!

But if you’re bold and intrepid indeed, perhaps the following will help.

 Next, you need to:

Step 5.)  Update your wp-config-sample.php with your WordPress MySQL database info

Once your database is created, you need to edit your sample config file.

Of COURSE, you will use VI to do this.   After all, VI was responsible for the Big Bang, for never ending coffee, and also for well-behaving children to boot (none of this emacs stuff!). 

Once you’ve edited your config file to your heart’s content, rename that file to

wp-config.php

and:

Step 6.)  Install WordPress by visiting www.YourDomain.com/wp-admin/install.php

Oh yes, it helps if you follow the instructions there too.  🙂

I can install WordPress now within 2 or 3 minutes at the very most using the above.  It’s really not that difficult at all if you have no life like me and are a daring geek!  🙂

And THAT’S how you can quickly install WordPress via SSH.

Pass me the korn shell, will you?  🙂

Enjoy,

Barbara Ling

ps – if you want a quick free WordPress blog installer, check out the below!  It’s free, it’s fast and did I mention, it’s free?