# Configure a domain for a WordPress site Verify DNS ownership, current records, TLS status, canonical URL, and redirect behavior. Check the named site's prerequisites, task result, backup scope and recovery handoff with xCloud. Canonical: https://xcloud.host/use-cases/workflows/configure-a-domain-for-a-wordpress-site/ 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: Verify DNS ownership, current records, TLS status, canonical URL, and redirect behavior. 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) - 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) - 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) ## Illustrative situation A new WordPress site is ready on a temporary address. The owner wants its production domain to resolve to the correct server and serve the canonical HTTPS URL. ## Choose the approach - Decide the canonical www or apex host before DNS and redirects. 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) - DNS routing, certificate issuance and WordPress site URLs are separate checks; a valid A record alone is not launch completion. 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) ## Dashboard and application procedure ### 1. Inventory current records **Where:** DNS provider and xCloud site domains **Permissions:** Authorized xCloud read access to the named team and site; the relevant app or provider owner supplies records outside xCloud. **Inputs:** A/AAAA/CNAME records, server IP, TTL **Action:** Record current answers for apex and www and any old service. Confirm the xCloud server address and whether mail DNS records must remain untouched. **Expected result:** A cutover map and rollback values. **Verify:** Query both public hostnames from an external resolver. **If it fails:** If ownership or old target is unclear, defer DNS edits. 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. Set the intended domain **Where:** xCloud site domain settings **Permissions:** Authorized xCloud site owner with dashboard rights for the exact setting, backup, staging or restore action and a reviewed target. **Inputs:** Canonical host, alternate host, site ID **Action:** After owner approval, add or select the production hostname in the xCloud dashboard. Confirm it associates with the correct server and site. **Expected result:** A domain mapping in xCloud. **Verify:** Compare displayed site ID and hostname before DNS change. **If it fails:** If another site owns the host, resolve conflict rather than deleting blindly. Capability: Set a site domain in xCloud dashboard Sources: [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [xCloud agent capability boundaries](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/reference/capability-map.md) ### 3. Update DNS deliberately **Where:** Authoritative DNS provider **Permissions:** Authoritative DNS administrator with the approved record values and a retained rollback copy. **Inputs:** Approved record values and cutover window **Action:** The DNS administrator replaces only required web records after approval; retain MX, TXT and other mail/security records. Record prior values for reversal. **Expected result:** Public DNS begins directing web traffic to xCloud. **Verify:** Query A/AAAA and CNAME answers and compare to approved target. **If it fails:** If answers remain stale, wait for TTL or inspect authoritative configuration. Capability: Update authoritative DNS with its owner Sources: [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/) ### 4. Issue and inspect HTTPS **Where:** xCloud SSL controls and external browser **Permissions:** Authorized xCloud team/site operator with the discovered write scope for this exact operation and owner approval for its target and interruption. **Inputs:** Hostname, certificate request, DNS state **Action:** Request or inspect the certificate for every served hostname, wait for issuance, then open the site via HTTPS and read certificate name and expiry. **Expected result:** No certificate warning on the canonical URL. **Verify:** Check chain, host match, page response and admin login externally. **If it fails:** If issuance fails, diagnose DNS/firewall/CAA using xCloud SSL guidance before retrying. Capability: Inspect and repair site certificates Sources: [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [xCloud SSL certificate operations](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/skills/ssl/SKILL.md) ### 5. Check redirects and WordPress URLs **Where:** WordPress Settings → General; browser **Permissions:** Authorized WordPress/WooCommerce application administrator or delegated role with rights for this task; hosting access alone is insufficient. **Inputs:** Preferred host and test page **Action:** Verify site URL, internal links and www/apex redirects match the chosen canonical host. Load a media item and form after the transition. **Expected result:** One stable public host with functional content. **Verify:** Test both host variants and ensure they converge once without mixed-content warnings. **If it fails:** If redirect loops occur, compare WordPress URL, xCloud domain and proxy settings before changing records again. Capability: Configure and test WordPress in its administrator UI Sources: [Manage WordPress plugins](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/) ## 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) - 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); [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/); [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/) ## Recovery decisions - If the domain cutover fails, compare authoritative DNS answers, prior record values, xCloud domain mapping and certificate state before changing anything else. Sources: [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/) - Revert the specific DNS or domain mapping with its owner if needed; preserve mail records and recheck both apex and www after TTL. A site restore does not repair DNS. Sources: [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/) ## 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 exact site, server and SSL state plus authorized DNS ownership. Return a hostname-by-hostname change plan. Await approval for documented SSL writes; DNS and WordPress URL edits require the respective owners. Verify external HTTPS separately. ``` ### 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 - **domain 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 - [Enable HTTPS and configure SSL certificates in xCloud](https://xcloud.host/docs/enable-https-in-xcloud-configure-ssl-certificates/) — 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 SSL certificate operations](https://github.com/xCloudDev/xcloud-agent-skills/blob/main/plugins/xcloud/skills/ssl/SKILL.md) — reviewed 2026-09-30; v4.4.2 ## 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/)