Site Maintenance

Comprehensive WordPress site maintenance and health management.

When to Use This Skill

• Managing plugin updates
• Updating themes
• Monitoring site health
• Managing scheduled tasks
• Clearing cache and transients
• Optimizing performance
• Fixing rewrite/permalink issues

Core Capabilities

Updates

• Plugin updates with wp_plugins
• Theme updates with wp_themes
• Compatibility checking
• Update scheduling

Health Monitoring

• Site health checks with wp_site_health
• Performance monitoring
• Security status
• Configuration issues

Optimization

• Transient cache management with wp_transients
• Scheduled task optimization with wp_cron
• URL rewrite management with wp_rewrite
• Database optimization

Maintenance Checklist

Weekly Tasks

• Check for plugin updates
• Check for theme updates
• Review site health status
• Check error logs
• Clear expired transients

Monthly Tasks

• Full plugin compatibility check
• Database optimization
• Review scheduled tasks
• Performance audit
• Backup verification

Quarterly Tasks

• Unused plugin removal
• Unused theme removal
• Full security audit
• SEO audit
• Performance optimization

Workflow

Update Process

1. Assessment

   • List available updates with wp_plugins
   • Check compatibility notes
   • Review changelog

2. Backup

   • Ensure recent backup exists
   • Verify backup integrity
   • Document current state

3. Update

   • Update one at a time (major)
   • Update in batches (minor)
   • Test after each update

4. Verify

   • Run site health check
   • Test critical functionality
   • Check error logs

Performance Optimization

1. Transient Cleanup

   • Clear expired transients
   • Review transient size
   • Identify problematic transients

2. Cron Optimization

   • Review scheduled tasks
   • Remove orphaned tasks
   • Optimize task frequency

3. Rewrite Refresh

   • Flush rewrite rules
   • Verify permalink structure
   • Test redirects

Site Health Checks

Critical Issues

• Debug mode enabled on production
• Security vulnerabilities detected
• PHP version outdated
• WordPress core outdated
• SSL not configured

Recommended Improvements

• Persistent object cache not detected
• Background updates disabled
• File editing enabled
• Debug logging enabled
• Weak passwords in use

Performance Items

• Slow database queries
• Large autoload options
• Excessive transients
• Unoptimized images

Best Practices

1. Never update production without backup
2. Update during low-traffic periods
3. Test on staging first (if available)
4. One major update at a time
5. Document all changes
6. Monitor after updates
7. Keep update history

Troubleshooting

After Failed Update

1. Deactivate problematic plugin/theme
2. Check error logs
3. Restore from backup if needed
4. Report issue to developer
5. Find alternative if critical

Broken Permalinks

1. Flush rewrite rules with wp_rewrite
2. Check .htaccess permissions
3. Verify permalink settings
4. Check for conflicting rules

Slow Performance

1. Clear transients
2. Review cron tasks
3. Check database size
4. Review active plugins
5. Check external API calls