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7/15/2026
Seven-item pre-upgrade checklist for WordPress major releases

Seven-item pre-upgrade checklist for WordPress major releases

Original: Seven things to check before a WordPress major upgrade — before "patch what breaks after" becomes a disaster

Short summary

A practical seven-item checklist for safely upgrading WordPress across major versions. Covers PHP version compatibility, plugin tested-up-to audits, theme API changes, database backup strategy, staging verification, and avoiding batch-update pitfalls. Includes WP-CLI commands for inventory and backup automation.

  • •Seven-point pre-upgrade checklist covering PHP, plugins, themes, backups, staging, and update sequencing
  • •WP-CLI commands for plugin inventory and database export included
  • •Emphasizes staging-first workflow and avoiding admin batch updates for major releases

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