{"slug":"cpanel-wordpress-setup","title":"cPanel WordPress Hosting Setup","tags":["cpanel","hosting","dns","ssl","database"],"agent_summary":"cPanel procedures for WordPress hosting: domain setup, DNS records, MySQL database creation, SSL installation, PHP configuration, and backup scheduling.","trigger_phrases":["cpanel wordpress","add domain cpanel","cpanel mysql database","cpanel ssl wordpress","cpanel php settings"],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\nStandard cPanel setup sequence for a new WordPress installation.\n\n## 1. Add Domain\n\ncPanel > Domains > Addon Domains:\n1. Enter domain name\n2. Document root auto-fills (e.g., `public_html/domain.com`)\n3. Click \"Add Domain\"\n\n## 2. DNS Records\n\ncPanel > Domains > Zone Editor. Minimum required records:\n\n| Type | Name | Value |\n|------|------|-------|\n| A | @ | Server IP |\n| A | www | Server IP |\n| CNAME | mail | domain.com |\n| MX | @ | mail.domain.com |\n| TXT | @ | v=spf1 +a +mx ~all |\n\nAllow 15-60 minutes for propagation before proceeding.\n\n## 3. Create MySQL Database\n\ncPanel > Databases > MySQL Databases:\n1. Create database: `user_wpdb`\n2. Create user: `user_wpuser` (generate strong password)\n3. Add user to database with ALL PRIVILEGES\n\nNote the database name, username, and password — needed during WordPress install.\n\n## 4. Install WordPress\n\nUse Softaculous (cPanel > Software > Softaculous):\n1. Select WordPress\n2. Set installation URL (root or subdirectory)\n3. Enter site name, admin username, admin email\n4. Enter database credentials from step 3\n5. Click Install\n\nOr manually: upload WordPress zip to document root, extract, run installer at domain.com/wp-admin/install.php.\n\n## 5. Install SSL\n\ncPanel > Security > SSL/TLS Status:\n1. Select domain\n2. Click \"Run AutoSSL\" (free Let's Encrypt cert)\n3. Wait 1-2 minutes\n4. Verify green padlock\n\nForce HTTPS via `.htaccess`:\n```apache\nRewriteEngine On\nRewriteCond %{HTTPS} off\nRewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]\n```\n\n## 6. Configure PHP\n\ncPanel > Software > MultiPHP Manager:\n- Select domain, set PHP 8.1 or 8.2\n\ncPanel > Software > MultiPHP INI Editor:\n\n```\nmax_execution_time = 300\nmax_input_time = 300\nmemory_limit = 256M\npost_max_size = 64M\nupload_max_filesize = 64M\nmax_input_vars = 5000\n```\n\n## 7. Schedule Backups\n\ncPanel > Files > JetBackup (if available):\n- Daily incremental backup\n- Weekly full backup\n- Remote destination: Google Drive or S3\n- Retain 14 days\n\nAlternatively, configure WPvivid inside WordPress for plugin-level backups.\n\n## Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)\n\ncPanel > Email > Email Deliverability:\n1. Click \"Manage\" for domain\n2. Copy DKIM record, add to DNS\n3. Add SPF TXT record: `v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:SERVER_IP ~all`\n4. Add DMARC TXT at `_dmarc.domain.com`: `v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:admin@domain.com`\n","html":"

Standard cPanel setup sequence for a new WordPress installation.

\n

1. Add Domain

\n

cPanel > Domains > Addon Domains:

\n
    \n
  1. Enter domain name
    2. \n
  2. Document root auto-fills (e.g., public_html/domain.com)
    3. \n
  3. Click \"Add Domain\"
    4. \n
\n

2. DNS Records

\n

cPanel > Domains > Zone Editor. Minimum required records:

\n

| Type | Name | Value |\n|------|------|-------|\n| A | @ | Server IP |\n| A | www | Server IP |\n| CNAME | mail | domain.com |\n| MX | @ | mail.domain.com |\n| TXT | @ | v=spf1 +a +mx ~all |

\n

Allow 15-60 minutes for propagation before proceeding.

\n

3. Create MySQL Database

\n

cPanel > Databases > MySQL Databases:

\n
    \n
  1. Create database: user_wpdb
    2. \n
  2. Create user: user_wpuser (generate strong password)
    3. \n
  3. Add user to database with ALL PRIVILEGES
    4. \n
\n

Note the database name, username, and password — needed during WordPress install.

\n

4. Install WordPress

\n

Use Softaculous (cPanel > Software > Softaculous):

\n
    \n
  1. Select WordPress
    2. \n
  2. Set installation URL (root or subdirectory)
    3. \n
  3. Enter site name, admin username, admin email
    4. \n
  4. Enter database credentials from step 3
    5. \n
  5. Click Install
    6. \n
\n

Or manually: upload WordPress zip to document root, extract, run installer at domain.com/wp-admin/install.php.

\n

5. Install SSL

\n

cPanel > Security > SSL/TLS Status:

\n
    \n
  1. Select domain
    2. \n
  2. Click \"Run AutoSSL\" (free Let's Encrypt cert)
    3. \n
  3. Wait 1-2 minutes
    4. \n
  4. Verify green padlock
    5. \n
\n

Force HTTPS via .htaccess:

\n
RewriteEngine On\nRewriteCond %{HTTPS} off\nRewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]\n
\n

6. Configure PHP

\n

cPanel > Software > MultiPHP Manager:

\n\n

cPanel > Software > MultiPHP INI Editor:

\n
max_execution_time = 300\nmax_input_time = 300\nmemory_limit = 256M\npost_max_size = 64M\nupload_max_filesize = 64M\nmax_input_vars = 5000\n
\n

7. Schedule Backups

\n

cPanel > Files > JetBackup (if available):

\n\n

Alternatively, configure WPvivid inside WordPress for plugin-level backups.

\n

Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

\n

cPanel > Email > Email Deliverability:

\n
    \n
  1. Click \"Manage\" for domain
    2. \n
  2. Copy DKIM record, add to DNS
    3. \n
  3. Add SPF TXT record: v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:SERVER_IP ~all
    4. \n
  4. Add DMARC TXT at _dmarc.domain.com: v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:admin@domain.com
    5. \n
\n"}