Converting WordPress sites to Bedrock with Lithify

Lithify is a WordPress plugin that adds a WP-CLI command to convert traditional WordPress sites into Bedrock-style installations. Created by MWDelaney, Lithify automates the database changes needed to make your existing WordPress site work with Bedrock's improved folder structure.

Converting an existing WordPress site to Bedrock typically involves manual database updates and file path changes. Lithify handles this conversion process automatically, updating your database to work seamlessly with Bedrock's modern architecture.

Prerequisites #

Before starting the conversion, you'll need:

• A fresh Bedrock installation
• A database backup of your existing WordPress site
• Your existing site's plugins, themes, and uploads directories

Create a new Bedrock site #

Create a new Bedrock installation:

$ composer create-project roots/bedrock example.com
$ cd example.com

Update WordPress version #

Update Bedrock's WordPress version to match your current installation. For example, if your site runs WordPress 6.8.2, update composer.json:

"roots/wordpress": "6.8.2"

Copy your content files #

Copy your WordPress plugins, themes, mu-plugins, and uploads directories into the Bedrock web/app directory.

Add Lithify as a dependency #

Install Lithify using Composer:

$ composer require mwdelaney/lithify

Import your database #

Navigate to your Bedrock directory and import your WordPress database:

$ wp db import example.sql

Run the conversion #

Activate Lithify and run the conversion command:

$ wp plugin activate lithify
$ wp lithify

What Lithify does #

When you run wp lithify, the plugin:

• Updates file path references from wp-content to app
• Adjusts plugin and theme paths to match Bedrock's structure
• Ensures upload paths work correctly with the new organization
• Verifies that WordPress core references point to the correct locations

The conversion is non-destructive—your existing content and configuration remain intact while gaining all the benefits of Bedrock's modern development workflow.