We recently shipped two big updates for our local development tool, WordPress Studio:

1. Studio CLI as a standalone npm module
2. phpMyAdmin access

One is for the terminal devotee, the other is for anyone who dreads opening a separate database tool — both are for anyone who’d rather just get building.

Studio CLI on npm

Until now, using Studio meant needing to download the desktop app. That changes today.

If you work primarily in the terminal — whether you’re a Linux user or just prefer to keep your hands on the keyboard — you can now install Studio directly via npm and skip the GUI entirely.

The CLI fits naturally in automated test runs, deployment scripts, and AI coding agent workflows — anywhere you’re already working in the terminal and spinning up a WordPress site by hand would slow you down.

How to install

If you already have the Studio desktop app installed, the CLI is already available — just enable Studio CLI for terminal under Preferences. 

If you want to install the CLI as a standalone tool, simply run npm install -g wp-studio. Alternatively, if you just want to run it once without installing the command, run npx wp-studio.

From there, you can authenticate with WordPress.com, create and manage local sites, preview in the browser, and run WP-CLI commands. Sync with WordPress.com and Pressable, import, export, and more are on the way.

The CLI and the desktop app are companions, not competitors: you can switch between them freely and they stay in sync. And don’t worry: the desktop app isn’t going anywhere.

phpMyAdmin access

On the desktop side, Studio now includes phpMyAdmin access directly from the Overview tab, giving you a visual interface to manage your site’s database. 

Inspecting or editing your local database used to mean reaching for a separate tool and going through a setup you’d rather not bother with. Now you can start querying tables, checking data, and debugging schema issues in just one click.

More ways to build locally

These two updates push Studio further in the same direction: less friction between
you and building on WordPress. 

The CLI removes the GUI as a requirement, and phpMyAdmin removes the need to leave the app when you need to get into your database.

If you haven’t tried WordPress Studio yet, this is a good time to start.

Questions or feedback? We’re in GitHub — open an issue to share feedback, bugs, and feature requests.

Whatever you’re building on WordPress.com — a blog, a business site, a portfolio, a store — you have everything you need to create exactly what you want. From day one.

Plugins are now available on all paid WordPress.com plans, starting with Personal. And that’s just the start.

Everything that’s now included

From now on, users on each paid WordPress.com plan can explore:

• Plugins: Access 50,000+ plugins from the WordPress Plugin Directory and extend your site with new features whenever you need them.

• Global Styles: Control your site’s fonts, colors, spacing, and visual design across every page at once. 

• Font uploads: Upload your own fonts, including Google Fonts, and make your site look exactly the way you want it to.

• Custom CSS: Write your own CSS and customize your site at the code level.

Together, these tools give you professional-grade design control and the full power of the WordPress ecosystem.

What this unlocks for WordPress.com users

Site owners can now build and fully customize their sites from day one. Whatever functionality you might need to achieve your goals, you’ll find it built in.

First, make your site look and feel more like your brand. Control fonts, spacing, and layout across the whole site, or go deeper with CSS if you need something specific.

Then, start attracting more visitors and leads with plugins that add forms, bookings, and pop-ups, improve SEO, deepen analytics, and integrate with other tools.

From here, keep adding new features as you grow.

Existing customers are already in

If you’re on a current paid WordPress.com plan, there’s nothing to activate or upgrade. These features are already available on your account. 

Head to the Plugins section of your dashboard and start exploring.

Already on Business or Commerce plans? You keep getting more value

You’ve always had access to the full stack — and that hasn’t changed. Business and Commerce plans include everything offered in Personal and Premium while still giving you more control, performance, and scale.

Here’s what sets your plan apart:

• Advanced SEO tools: Go beyond basic plugins with built-in SEO features and deeper insights.

• Free priority 24/7 support: Talk to a WordPress expert right away when something breaks, or you need advice.

• Staging and developer tools: Test changes before going live and manage your site directly with SFTP/SSH, WP-CLI, and GitHub.

• Eight times more storage and VideoPress: Host large media libraries and video without worrying about limits.

• Automated backups and uptime monitoring: Feel secure with built-in fallbacks that include daily backups, one-click restores, and continuous monitoring.

The Commerce plan also gives you more control over your store, with 0% transaction fees on standard payments and advanced e-commerce features fully baked in, so you don’t overpay for them.

The bottom line: The platform just got more inclusive. Your plan is still the most powerful one we offer.

Choose your path to growth with WordPress.com

You now have real design control, the full plugin ecosystem, and the flexibility to keep adding features as your site grows. 

Whether you’re just starting out or overhauling your site, everything you need is already there.