# Hand over WordPress recovery information

Provide backup location/status, access owner, restoration caveats, and escalation route. Check the named site's prerequisites, task result, backup scope and recovery handoff with xCloud.

Canonical: https://xcloud.host/use-cases/operations/hand-over-wordpress-recovery-information/
Published: 2026-09-30 · Updated: 2026-09-30 · Technical review: 2026-09-30
Evidence: Source reviewed; no production deployment test claimed
Editorial owner: xCloud editorial

Intent: Provide backup location/status, access owner, restoration caveats, and escalation route.
For: site-owner, administrator

## Requirements and responsibilities

- Name the team, server, hostname, owner and affected users for the WordPress site. Record the current version and the actual business flow that must survive the change. Confirm the current dashboard form, plan eligibility, and server capacity before committing a resource change. A one-click catalog listing is discovery, not permission or proof that the connected MCP profile can install it. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)
- Prepare a non-sensitive test input and an acceptance record. Keep access to the app administrator and an independent observer where possible; omit secrets from AI prompts and client reports. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)
- For WordPress, verify the file and database backup scope and a safe target for recovery. Native scheduling, destination settings, staging synchronization and restore remain dashboard actions. Agree a maintenance window and owner before any action that interrupts the service or overwrites data. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)

## Illustrative situation

A client is ending an agency maintenance agreement. The receiving team needs enough WordPress recovery information to find backups and make a safe restore decision during an outage.

## Choose the approach

- Transfer recovery instructions and credential custody without placing raw secrets in the handover document. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)
- Separate WordPress backup controls from DNS, mail and payment providers that may need independent recovery. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)

## Dashboard and application procedure

### 1. Identify service ownership

**Where:** Agency contract and xCloud site

**Permissions:** Authorized xCloud read access to the named team and site; the relevant app or provider owner supplies records outside xCloud.

**Inputs:** Team, server, domain, WordPress owner

**Action:** Record exact resource IDs and who can authorize a restore, DNS change and customer communication.

**Expected result:** A named decision chain.

**Verify:** Ask recipient to confirm access to the intended team.

**If it fails:** If the client lacks team access, transfer it before agency removal.

Capability: Confirm requirements and inspect resources
Sources: [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md)

### 2. Locate recovery points

**Where:** xCloud Site Backup

**Permissions:** Authorized xCloud site owner with dashboard rights for the exact setting, backup, staging or restore action and a reviewed target.

**Inputs:** Completed snapshots, scope, destination, retention

**Action:** Show recipient where to find backup history and settings. Record latest Completed timestamp and file/database scope.

**Expected result:** A known recovery point and age.

**Verify:** Have recipient locate the row unaided.

**If it fails:** If backup is stale or failed, flag it and repair before handover closes.

Capability: Configure native WordPress backup and restore
Sources: [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md)

### 3. Map data gaps

**Where:** WordPress app and external systems

**Permissions:** Authorized WordPress/WooCommerce application administrator or delegated role with rights for this task; hosting access alone is insufficient.

**Inputs:** Orders, bookings, members, mail and payment ledgers

**Action:** Describe what a snapshot restores and which post-snapshot records need reconciliation. List external systems and their owners.

**Expected result:** A realistic recovery boundary.

**Verify:** Walk through one sample transaction after the backup time.

**If it fails:** If newer data cannot be recovered, escalate this risk explicitly.

Capability: Configure and test WordPress in its administrator UI
Sources: [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/)

### 4. Rehearse decision path

**Where:** Handover meeting and safe target

**Permissions:** Authorized xCloud read access to the named team and site; the relevant app or provider owner supplies records outside xCloud.

**Inputs:** Restore target, approval, test checklist

**Action:** Simulate an outage decision: choose backup and target, identify data to preserve, and list login/content/business checks. Do not restore production as a teaching exercise.

**Expected result:** Recipient can explain the recovery sequence.

**Verify:** Ask them to identify when not to restore.

**If it fails:** If target or scope is confused, repeat the exercise before signing off.

Capability: Confirm requirements and inspect resources
Sources: [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/)

### 5. Transfer access securely

**Where:** Approved password manager and xCloud Team Management

**Permissions:** xCloud team owner authorized to review or change membership; preserve another working owner.

**Inputs:** Owners, account rotation, support contacts

**Action:** Transfer secrets through the client's approved manager, rotate shared credentials and update team membership after new owner verifies access.

**Expected result:** A complete, controlled handover.

**Verify:** Client signs in and finds backup and support contacts.

**If it fails:** If a sole admin is removed prematurely, restore access through approved ownership process.

Capability: Review and revoke xCloud team access
Sources: [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)

## Maintenance

- Review this task after app or template updates and at the cadence agreed with the owner. Record failures as dated observations rather than assuming host health proves service health. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)
- Watch access changes, backup completion, free storage and external providers. Recheck integrations after credential, DNS, mail or source-data changes. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)

## Recovery decisions

- If the inventory, finding, report or plan is wrong, preserve its dated source evidence and issue a corrected version to the approved owner. Keep the prior record visible as superseded. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)
- Recheck the exact site, timestamp and task-specific test before approving any separate change. A bad review does not by itself justify replacing live site data. Sources: [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md); [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/); [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/); [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/); [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/); [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/); [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/); [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/)

## AI handoff

Connect an authorized xCloud MCP profile and discover its exact tools and team scope. The packaged REST wrapper is GET-only; use dashboard or app controls for undocumented writes.

### Supported scope

- **Confirm requirements and inspect resources** (mcp; read): Discover the connected profile and operation schema first; only teams granted to the connection are visible. Checkpoint: Confirm exact team, server and site identity. Use dashboard\_url returned by the resource; do not invent a dashboard link. Operation identifiers to discover: teams.index, servers.show, sites.show. Scopes: read:servers, read:sites. Sources: [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs); [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md)

### Copyable agent brief

```text
Read the client's team/site/backup metadata and return exact IDs, snapshot scope and age. Do not restore or copy secrets into the response. Recipient verifies dashboard access and safe-target recovery understanding before agency removal.
```

### Manual checkpoints

- Approve exact site, target, cost and any write or maintenance window after inspecting the proposed plan.
- An authorized WordPress administrator must configure and test app users, content, integrations and business rules in the app.
- Native WordPress staging, backup schedule/settings, push/pull and all restores are dashboard-only; Docker restore is dashboard-only and replaces state.
- Reconcile data created after the chosen recovery point before any destructive restore.

## Feature coverage

- **recovery-handover decision, evidence and task action** (covered): The procedure identifies the authorized task boundary and observable result. Steps: step-1, step-2, step-3, step-4
- **backup, ongoing operation and recovery** (covered): Recovery and maintenance are checked in the task procedure. Steps: step-4, step-5

## Sources

- [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md) — reviewed 2026-09-30; v4.4.2 package; xCloud v2.8.8 capability review
- [xCloud MCP documentation and connection profiles](https://app.xcloud.host/mcp/docs) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [Manage WordPress core, themes and plugins](https://xcloud.host/docs/manage-and-update-wordpress-core-themes-in-xcloud/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [Site backups in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/site-backups-in-xcloud/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [WordPress security hardening](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/hardening/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [Create WordPress pages](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/create-pages/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/) — reviewed 2026-09-30
- [xCloud team roles and permissions](https://xcloud.host/docs/team-roles-permissions-in-xcloud/) — reviewed 2026-09-30

## Continue

[Explore all use cases](https://xcloud.host/use-cases/)

- [Manage WordPress plugin updates and security checks](https://xcloud.host/use-cases/operations/wordpress-plugin-updates-and-security/)
- [Release WordPress staging changes without losing live data](https://xcloud.host/use-cases/playbooks/wordpress-staging-release-with-live-data/)
