Developer

Developer-level MCP tools available to Full access users.

These tools are available to users with Full access only. They provide filesystem, database, WP-CLI, and plugin management capabilities.

read_file

Read a file within the WordPress installation. Supports split directory layouts (Flywheel, Bedrock).

ParameterRequiredDescription
siteYesSite ID, slug, or domain
pathYesFile path (absolute or relative to ABSPATH)
offsetNoStart reading from this byte offset
lengthNoMax bytes to read (default: 100KB, max: 1MB)

write_file

Write or overwrite a file. Creates parent directories if needed.

ParameterRequiredDescription
siteYesSite ID, slug, or domain
pathYesFile path
contentYesFile content to write
appendNoAppend instead of overwrite

Note: On WP Engine and Flywheel, PHP file writes are blocked at the server level. Use SSH for PHP file changes on those hosts. Paper Route's knowledge system will warn you about this automatically.

list_directory

List files and subdirectories with names, sizes, modification dates, and types.

rename_file

Rename or move a file within the WordPress installation.

query_db

Execute SQL against the WordPress database. Read-only by default.

ParameterRequiredDescription
siteYesSite ID, slug, or domain
sqlYesSQL query. Use {prefix} for the WP table prefix
read_onlyNoIf true (default), only SELECT/SHOW/DESCRIBE allowed

run_wp_cli

Execute a WP-CLI command on the server.

ParameterRequiredDescription
siteYesSite ID, slug, or domain
commandYesWP-CLI command without the leading wp

Note: On WP Engine and Flywheel, shell_exec is disabled — this tool won't work. Use SSH to run WP-CLI on those hosts.

read_error_log

Read the PHP/WordPress error log. Returns the last N lines.

clear_error_log

Truncate the error log file to zero bytes.

activate_plugin

Activate a plugin by its file path (e.g., akismet/akismet.php).

deactivate_plugin

Deactivate a plugin by its file path.

set_option

Create or update a WordPress option value.