uiXpress
Remote Sites

Setup Guide

Step-by-step guide for configuring and using remote sites feature.

Prerequisites

WordPress Requirements

WordPress Version:

  • WordPress 5.6 or higher (for Application Passwords)
  • REST API enabled
  • Permalinks configured
  • HTTPS recommended

Remote Site Requirements:

  • WordPress installation
  • REST API accessible
  • Application Passwords enabled
  • Network access available

Security Requirements

Network Security:

  • HTTPS connection recommended
  • Firewall rules configured
  • CORS headers if needed
  • Secure credentials

Authentication:

  • Application Passwords feature
  • User account with permissions
  • Proper capabilities
  • Secure storage

Step 1: Enable Application Passwords

On Remote Site

WordPress 5.6+:

  1. Navigate to Users > Profile
  2. Scroll to Application Passwords section
  3. Enter application name (e.g., "uiXpress Remote")
  4. Click Add New Application Password
  5. Copy the generated password immediately
  6. Save password securely (cannot be retrieved later)

WordPress 5.0-5.5:

  • Install Application Passwords plugin
  • Follow same steps as above
  • Plugin available from WordPress.org

Application Password Best Practices

Naming:

  • Use descriptive names
  • Include purpose/device
  • Example: "uiXpress - Main Admin"
  • Easy to identify

Security:

  • Generate unique passwords
  • One password per site/device
  • Revoke unused passwords
  • Regular rotation recommended

Storage:

  • Store securely
  • Don't share passwords
  • Use password manager
  • Keep private

Step 2: Configure Remote Sites

Access Settings

Navigation:

  1. Go to uiXpress > Settings
  2. Navigate to General category
  3. Scroll to Remote Sites section
  4. Click Add Remote Site

Add Remote Site

Required Information:

  • Site URL: Full URL (e.g., https://example.com)
  • Username: WordPress username
  • Application Password: Generated application password

Optional Information:

  • Site Name: Display name (defaults to URL)

URL Format:

  • Include protocol (http:// or https://)
  • No trailing slash
  • Full domain name
  • Example: https://mysite.com

Example Configuration:

Site URL: https://staging.example.com
Username: admin
Application Password: xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
Site Name: Staging Site (optional)

Save Configuration

After Adding:

  1. Click Save or Add Site
  2. Site appears in list
  3. Available in switcher
  4. Ready to use

Validation:

  • URL format validated
  • Required fields checked
  • Credentials tested (optional)
  • Error messages shown

Step 3: Set Capability Requirements

Configure Access Control

Default Capability:

  • manage_options (Administrator)
  • All admins can access
  • Secure by default
  • Configurable

Custom Capability:

  1. In Remote Sites settings
  2. Find Switcher Capability field
  3. Enter custom capability
  4. Save settings

Example Capabilities:

  • manage_options - Administrators only
  • edit_posts - Editors and above
  • publish_posts - Authors and above
  • Custom capability - Your custom role

Security Note:

  • Choose appropriate capability
  • Restrictive is better
  • Test with different users
  • Verify permissions

Step 4: Use Remote Sites

Switch to Remote Site

Using Switcher:

  1. Find Remote Site Switcher in menu
  2. Click dropdown
  3. Select remote site
  4. Page reloads automatically

Visual Feedback:

  • Loading indicator
  • Page reload
  • Menu updates
  • Context switches

Verify Connection

Check Indicators:

  • Menu shows filtered items
  • Site switcher shows selected site
  • Operations work correctly
  • No error messages

Test Operations:

  • Upload a test file
  • View media library
  • Check plugins
  • Verify functionality

Switch Back to Local

Return to Local:

  1. Open site switcher
  2. Select Local
  3. Page reloads
  4. Full menu restored

Step 5: Manage Remote Sites

Edit Site Configuration

To Edit:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Remote Sites
  2. Find site in list
  3. Click edit icon
  4. Modify fields
  5. Save changes

What Can Be Edited:

  • Site URL
  • Username
  • Application Password
  • Site Name

When to Edit:

  • Site URL changed
  • Credentials updated
  • Rename site
  • Fix configuration

Remove Remote Site

To Remove:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Remote Sites
  2. Find site in list
  3. Click delete icon
  4. Confirm removal
  5. Site removed

Cannot Remove:

  • Currently active site
  • Must switch first
  • Then remove
  • Safety feature

Test Connection

Manual Testing:

  • Switch to site
  • Try operations
  • Check for errors
  • Verify functionality

Common Issues:

  • Invalid URL
  • Wrong credentials
  • Network issues
  • CORS problems

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

Cannot Connect:

  • Verify URL is correct
  • Check network access
  • Test REST API endpoint
  • Verify credentials

Authentication Errors:

  • Check application password
  • Verify username
  • Test credentials manually
  • Regenerate password if needed

CORS Errors:

  • Add CORS headers on remote site
  • Use HTTPS
  • Check firewall rules
  • Verify network access

Menu Not Filtering

Menu Issues:

  • Check if remote site selected
  • Verify feature toggles
  • Check capability settings
  • Refresh page

Missing Pages:

  • Enable feature in settings
  • Check capability requirements
  • Verify site configuration
  • Review settings

Upload Failures

Media Upload Issues:

  • Check file permissions
  • Verify upload limits
  • Test REST API endpoint
  • Check error messages

Network Issues:

  • Test connection
  • Check timeout settings
  • Verify firewall rules
  • Review server logs

Best Practices

Security

Recommendations:

  • Use HTTPS only
  • Strong application passwords
  • Restrictive capabilities
  • Regular password rotation

Network Security:

  • VPN for remote access
  • Firewall rules
  • IP restrictions
  • Secure credentials

Organization

Site Naming:

  • Use descriptive names
  • Include environment
  • Example: "Production - Main Site"
  • Easy identification

Password Management:

  • Use password manager
  • Document purpose
  • Regular rotation
  • Secure storage

Performance

Optimization:

  • Limit number of sites
  • Use fast connections
  • Optimize remote sites
  • Monitor performance

Network Considerations:

  • Local network preferred
  • VPN for remote
  • Consider latency
  • Plan for timeouts

Advanced Configuration

Custom Capabilities

Setting Custom Capability:

  1. Create custom role
  2. Assign capabilities
  3. Set in Remote Sites settings
  4. Test with users

Use Cases:

  • Multi-user access
  • Role-based access
  • Custom permissions
  • Flexible control

Multiple Environments

Typical Setup:

  • Local development
  • Staging environment
  • Production site
  • Multiple sites

Organization:

  • Name clearly
  • Group by purpose
  • Document purpose
  • Maintain list

Integration with Other Features

Media Library

Remote Media:

  • Upload to remote sites
  • View remote media
  • Edit remote files
  • All operations supported

Plugin Management

Remote Plugins:

  • View remote plugins
  • Activate/deactivate
  • Install plugins
  • Update plugins

Content Management

Remote Content:

  • Edit posts/pages
  • Create content
  • Manage users
  • All operations

Support

Getting Help

Documentation:

  • Check this guide
  • Review features page
  • Security documentation
  • FAQ section

Common Solutions:

  • Verify prerequisites
  • Check configuration
  • Test credentials
  • Review logs

Reporting Issues:

  • Include site URL
  • Error messages
  • Steps to reproduce
  • System information

Security

Security considerations and best practices for remote sites feature.

Role Editor

Comprehensive, modern interface for managing WordPress user roles and capabilities with security focus