How to manage multiple sites using the cPanel WordPress Toolkit

This article describes how to manage multiple WordPress sites using the WordPress Toolkit in cPanel. With features including bulk updates, security scans, plugin and theme configuration, and more, the WordPress Toolkit makes multi-site management quick and easy.

This feature is only available on WordPress Toolkit Deluxe.

Managing multiple WordPress sites

To manage multiple WordPress sites using the WordPress Toolkit, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
    If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
  2. Open WordPress Toolkit:
    • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Domains section, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

    • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the DOMAINS section of the cPanel home page, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

  3. The WordPress Toolkit page appears with a list of installed WordPress sites:

    WordPress Toolkit - Site summary

  4. There are several options available for installed sites:

    • Install: This option enables you to install additional WordPress sites. For information about how to do this, please see this article.
    • Scan: Click this option to scan your account for WordPress sites. A list of WordPress sites installed on your account appears below. 
    • Updates: Click this option, and then click Check Updates to see if any updates are available. If there are updates available, you can update multiple sites at once by selecting the check boxes next to the sites, and then clicking Update.
    • Security: Click this option, and then select the check boxes next to the sites you want to check. Click Check Security. If there are security fixes available, click Details to view them. You can apply multiple fixes at once by selecting the check boxes next to the sites, and then clicking Secure.
    • Detach: To remove (detach) multiple WordPress installations from WordPress Toolkit, select the check boxes next to the sites you want to detach, and then click Detach. Click Detach again to confirm.
      When you detach a WordPress site, you can no longer use WordPress Toolkit to manage it.
    • Remove: To delete multiple WordPress installations, select the check boxes next to the sites you want to delete, and then click Remove. Click Remove again to confirm.
      Be careful when deleting multiple sites at once!

Managing WordPress plugins

To manage plugins for multiple sites using the WordPress Toolkit, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
    If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
  2. Open WordPress Toolkit:
    • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Domains section, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

    • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the DOMAINS section of the cPanel home page, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

  3. The WordPress Toolkit page appears. Click the Plugins tab, and list of installed plugins appears:

    WordPress Toolkit - Plugins tab

  4. To install a new plugin, follow these steps:

    • Click Install.
    • In the search box, type the name of the plugin, and then press Enter.
    • Select the check box next to the plugin you want to install, and then click Select websites.
    • Select the check box next to the site or sites on which you want to install the plugin.
    • To activate the plugin automatically, select the Activate after installation check box.
    • Click Install. WordPress Toolkit installs the plugin.
  5. To upload a plugin installation file manually, follow these steps:

    • Click Upload Plugin.
    • Click Browse, and then select the installation .zip file on your local computer.
    • Select the check box next to the site or sites on which you want to install the plugin.
    • To activate the plugin automatically, select the Activate after installation check box.
    • Click OK. WordPress Toolkit installs the plugin.
  6. To activate a plugin, select the check box next to the plugin, and then click Activate.
  7. To deactivate a plugin, select the check box next to the plugin, and then click Deactivate.
  8. To uninstall a plugin, select the check box next to the plugin, and then click Uninstall.
  9. To update a plugin, select the check box next to the plugin, and then click Update.

Managing WordPress themes

To manage themes for multiple sites using the WordPress Toolkit, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
    If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
  2. Open WordPress Toolkit:
    • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Domains section, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

    • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the DOMAINS section of the cPanel home page, click WordPress Toolkit:

      cPanel - Domains - WordPress Toolkit icon

  3. The WordPress Toolkit page appears. Click the Themes tab, and a list of installed themes appears:

    WordPress Toolkit - Themes tab

  4. To install a new theme, follow these steps:

    • Click Install.
    • In the search box, type the name of the theme, and then press Enter.
    • Select the check box next to the theme you want to install, and then click Select websites.
    • Select the check box next to the site or sites on which you want to install the theme.
    • Click Install. WordPress Toolkit installs the theme.
  5. To upload a theme installation file manually, follow these steps:

    • Click Upload Theme.
    • Click Browse, and then select the installation .zip file on your local computer.
    • Select the check box next to the site or sites on which you want to install the theme.
    • Click OK. WordPress Toolkit installs the theme.
  6. To activate a theme, click Activate.
  7. To uninstall a theme, select the check box next to the theme, and then click Uninstall.
  8. To update a theme, select the check box next to the theme, and then click Update.

More Information

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