Use the DirectAdmin WordPress Manager

Recent DirectAdmin versions include a WordPress Manager in the Evolution skin. It detects existing WordPress sites, installs new ones and gives you quick actions such as one-click admin login and password reset – without a separate installer.

Before you start

• DirectAdmin with the Evolution skin and WordPress Manager enabled by your host (it appears under Advanced Features or as WordPress on the dashboard).
• A domain with an empty folder for a new install, and ideally an SSL certificate; see Let's Encrypt in DirectAdmin.
• Some servers offer Softaculous instead or as well; either works.

Install WordPress

1. Select the domain and open WordPress Manager.
2. Click Install (or Install WordPress).
3. Choose the domain, protocol (https://) and directory – leave it empty for the domain root.
4. Enter the site title, admin user name (not admin), a strong password and admin email.
5. Choose the database name or let DirectAdmin create one.
6. Click Install. After a minute the site is ready.

Manage existing installs

The WordPress Manager lists every installation found in your account with its version. Typical actions:

• Login – opens wp-admin without typing the password.
• Change password for any WordPress user, useful when locked out.
• Change URL – updates site and home URLs, for example after moving to HTTPS.
• Update core where offered, and view installed plugins and themes.
• Clone or copy to another domain or subdomain on some versions – handy for staging.
• Delete – removes files and optionally the database.

Keep WordPress secure

• Enable automatic minor updates and update plugins regularly.
• Remove unused plugins and themes.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor login inside WordPress.
• Back up before major updates; see DirectAdmin backups.

Performance basics

• Use a current PHP version for the domain; see PHP version per domain.
• Raise PHP limits if imports or page builders fail; see PHP settings.
• Install a caching plugin that matches the server's web server.

Troubleshooting

• Install not detected: the manager scans standard paths; installs in unusual folders or with custom wp-config.php locations may not appear.
• One-click login fails: a security plugin blocks it, or the site URL is wrong. Reset the password instead.
• White screen after update: disable plugins by renaming wp-content/plugins in the File Manager, then re-enable one by one.
• Menu missing: your host has not enabled WordPress Manager; use Softaculous or install manually.

Next steps

• Databases in DirectAdmin.
• Real cron for WordPress.
• Protect a staging site.