This does not seem to be a WordPress installation WordPress Origin: Application & API Last updated 14 Oct 2026

WP-CLI: Error: This does not seem to be a WordPress installation. Pass --path=`path/to/wordpress` or run `wp core download`

WP-CLI couldn’t find WordPress in the current directory (or the --path given).

Exact message you may see This does not seem to be a WordPress installationPass --path=`path/to/wordpress` or run `wp core download`
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Seen on: WordPress

Meaning

Run WP-CLI from the WordPress root, or pass --path. In Bedrock/custom layouts, wp-cli.yml should point to the web/wp folder. Using sudo can change the working directory or user.

Common causes

  • Running wp from the wrong directory
  • Custom layout (Bedrock, subfolder install) without wp-cli.yml
  • wp-config.php outside the expected location

⚡ Quick fix

  1. cd to the WordPress root or use --path=/var/www/html
  2. Add wp-cli.yml with path: web/wp
  3. Run as the web user: sudo -u www-data wp …

Detailed fix by platform

Shell

  1. php
    wp --path=/var/www/html core version
echo "path: web/wp" > wp-cli.yml

How to diagnose

  1. Directory — pwd contains wp-load.php?
  2. Layout — Bedrock/subfolder?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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