mcp-wp-abilities

MCP server for the WordPress 6.9+ Abilities API.

Dynamically discovers and exposes WordPress abilities as AI-accessible tools.

What is this?

WordPress 6.9 introduced the Abilities API, a standardized framework for exposing WordPress capabilities through REST endpoints in a machine-readable format. This MCP server connects to any WordPress 6.9+ site and automatically discovers and exposes all registered abilities as MCP tools.

Key features:

• Dynamic discovery - Tools are discovered at runtime from your WordPress site
• Zero configuration - No hardcoded tools; the server adapts to your site's capabilities
• Full schema support - Input/output validation via JSON Schema
• Smart method handling - Automatically uses GET for readonly abilities, POST for mutations
• Plugin extensibility - Any WordPress plugin that registers abilities becomes available

Requirements

• Node.js 18+
• WordPress 6.9+ with Abilities API enabled
• WordPress Application Password for authentication

Installation

npm install -g mcp-wp-abilities

Configuration

The server requires three environment variables:

Claude Desktop

Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wp-abilities": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-wp-abilities"],
      "env": {
        "WORDPRESS_URL": "https://your-site.com",
        "WORDPRESS_USERNAME": "your-username",
        "WORDPRESS_APP_PASSWORD": "your-app-password"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add wp-abilities \
  -e WORDPRESS_URL="https://your-site.com" \
  -e WORDPRESS_USERNAME="your-username" \
  -e WORDPRESS_APP_PASSWORD="your-app-password" \
  -- npx -y mcp-wp-abilities

Available Tools

Tools are dynamically discovered from your WordPress site. Core WordPress 6.9 includes:

Additional abilities registered by plugins will appear automatically.

How it Works

1. On startup, the server connects to your WordPress Abilities API
2. It fetches all registered abilities with their schemas
3. Each ability is converted to an MCP tool with:
   • Name: wp_{category}_{ability_name} (e.g., wp_core_get_site_info)
   • Description: From the ability's label and description
   • Input schema: Converted from WordPress JSON Schema
   • Annotations: readOnlyHint, destructiveHint, idempotentHint
4. When a tool is called, the server executes the corresponding WordPress ability

Creating WordPress Application Password

1. Log in to your WordPress admin
2. Go to Users → Profile (or the specific user's profile)
3. Scroll to Application Passwords
4. Enter a name (e.g., "MCP Server") and click Add New Application Password
5. Copy the generated password (shown only once)

Security Notes

• Application passwords grant full API access for that user
• Use a dedicated user with minimal required capabilities
• Store credentials securely using environment variables
• The server only reads abilities and executes them; it doesn't modify WordPress core

Extending with Custom Abilities

WordPress plugins can register custom abilities that will automatically appear as MCP tools:

add_action( 'wp_abilities_api_init', function() {
    wp_register_ability( 'myplugin/my-ability', [
        'label'        => 'My Custom Ability',
        'description'  => 'Does something useful',
        'category'     => 'myplugin',
        'input_schema' => [
            'type'       => 'object',
            'properties' => [
                'param' => [ 'type' => 'string' ],
            ],
        ],
        'output_schema' => [
            'type'       => 'object',
            'properties' => [
                'result' => [ 'type' => 'string' ],
            ],
        ],
        'execute_callback'    => 'my_ability_handler',
        'permission_callback' => fn() => current_user_can( 'manage_options' ),
        'meta' => [
            'show_in_rest' => true,
            'annotations'  => [
                'readonly'    => false,
                'destructive' => false,
                'idempotent'  => true,
            ],
        ],
    ] );
} );

Troubleshooting

"Missing required environment variables"

• Ensure all three environment variables are set

"Failed to discover abilities: 401"

• Check username and application password are correct
• Verify the user has API access

"Failed to discover abilities: 404"

• Confirm your WordPress version is 6.9+
• Check that Abilities API is enabled

No tools appearing

• Verify abilities are registered with show_in_rest: true
• Check user has permission to access the abilities

Changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for release history.

License

MIT

Links

• npm package
• GitHub repository
• WordPress Abilities API documentation
• Author: Jim Christian