Here’s a clear and simple explanation of each term as they relate to managing a WordPress website

🔐 1. SFTP / SSH

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

A secure way to upload, download, edit, or delete website files stored on your web hosting server.

You use it with tools like FileZilla, WinSCP, Cyberduck.

It protects your data with encryption, unlike old FTP.

👉 Purpose in WordPress

Upload themes or plugins manually

Fix site errors when WordPress dashboard is down

Edit wp-config.php, .htaccess, uploads folder, etc.

SSH (Secure Shell)

A secure command-line access to your server.

Allows you to run commands directly on your hosting environment without a graphical interface.

👉 Purpose in WordPress

Install updates faster

Run scripts

Access WP-CLI and Git for advanced site management

⚙️ 2. WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface)

A powerful tool that lets you manage your WordPress site using commands instead of the dashboard.

Works only if your host supports SSH.

👉 Example Uses

Task Command

Update WordPress core wp core update
Update plugins wp plugin update –all
Create new user wp user create
Clear cache wp cache flush

👉 Why it’s useful

Faster than using WordPress admin

Saves time on bulk updates

Fix site errors when dashboard is broken

🧪 3. Git Commands

Git is version control software used by developers to track changes in website files.

What it does:

Saves every change you make to your code

Allows undo/rollback to earlier versions

Helps team members collaborate safely

👉 Useful Git Commands

Command Meaning

git init Start Git tracking in a folder
git add . Add all changed files to save list
git commit -m “message” Save changes with a note
git push Upload changes to GitHub/Server
git pull Download latest updates from repository
git clone Copy a remote repository to your server

🚀 4. GitHub Deployments

This is the process of sending your website code from GitHub to your hosting server automatically.

When you update files on GitHub, the server receives changes automatically (continuous deployment).

Why use GitHub Deployments?

Prevents errors from manual uploads

Keeps track of every code change

Makes backups easy (Git history)

Perfect for development teams

Typical Workflow

1. Developer edits theme/plugin → commits changes
2. Push to GitHub (git push)
3. Deployment tool copies updates to server

Tools used: GitHub Actions, DeployHQ, Buddy, WP Engine Git, Kinsta Git

📌 Summary

Term Simple Meaning Main Role in WordPress

SFTP Secure file access Manage website files manually
SSH Secure command-line access Run commands directly on server
WP-CLI Command tool for WP Manage WordPress faster without dashboard
Git Version control tool Track and manage changes in code
GitHub Deployments Auto-sync code to server Professional automated updates

If you want, I can also show you: ✅ How to set up SSH on your hosting
✅ How to use GitHub to deploy a WordPress site
✅ Example setup for WP-CLI
✅ Best practice workflow for a production WordPress site

Just say “Show me setup guide” 🚀