Moving between creative strategy and technical implementation requires a special kind of synthesis. This is the story of bridging that gap with an AI collaborator, documenting the real, unpolished journey of setting up a WordPress MCP server. No perfectly scripted tutorial here – just authentic problem-solving in action.
Repository: server-wp-mcp
WordPress MCP(Model Context Protocol) Server
First Steps with WordPress MCP [4:04 PM]
Armed with WordPress MCP documentation and a mission to streamline workflow automation, I found myself navigating the initial setup. My AI collaborator, who I’ll call Alex, began breaking down the technical requirements into manageable chunks.
“Let’s check a few things first,” Alex suggested. “Have you got the server files installed?”
“I’m not sure…” was my honest response. And so began our troubleshooting tango.
When AI Joins the Installation Process [4:15 PM]
Our first hurdle appeared quickly – a classic “Git is not recognized” message that many technically-curious professionals have encountered. Rather than getting bogged down in Git installation, Alex quickly pivoted to a more efficient solution. This moment highlighted a key theme of our collaboration: finding efficient solutions rather than getting stuck on “proper” but time-consuming approaches.
A UX-Minded Approach to Technical Setup [4:30 PM – 4:45 PM]
This is where things got interesting. Each error message became a breadcrumb leading us toward the solution:
Output: "Server failed to start: WP_SITES_PATH environment variable is required"Me: "It's not running"Alex: "Let's get the server running. There are a couple things to check..."What followed was a series of attempts, each getting us closer to success:
- First attempt: Basic npm run command
- Second attempt: Checking package.json contents
- Third attempt: Setting up environment variables
- Final breakthrough: Server successfully starting
The key wasn’t just following steps – it was understanding each error message and using it to inform our next move.
The Digital Breakthrough [4:45 PM]
Terminal Output: "WordPress MCP server started with 1 site(s) configured"This simple message represented our victory after multiple attempts. But more importantly, it demonstrated how technical problem-solving really works – through iteration, interpretation, and persistence.
Key Insights from Our Journey
Error Messages Are Your Friends
- Each error provided clues for our next step
- The importance of reading and interpreting technical feedback
The Power of Pivoting
- Sometimes the “standard” approach isn’t the best approach
- Finding alternative solutions when time is of essence
Human-AI Collaboration
- How AI can augment technical problem-solving
- The value of having a patient, knowledgeable guide
The Future of Digital Workflows with AI
As we move deeper into the age of automation and AI-assisted development, experiences like this highlight a crucial shift in how we approach technical challenges. It’s no longer about knowing everything – it’s about knowing how to collaborate effectively with AI tools to find solutions.
The future of website workflow management lies not in being either technically proficient or strategically minded, but in bridging these worlds. As this journey shows, with the right collaboration, these technical hurdles become opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks.
