An Overview of WordPress Playground
WordPress Playground is a super cool tool that lets you run an entire WordPress site right in your browser—no need to install PHP, MySQL, or set up a server. It works by using WebAssembly (WASM) to run PHP and WordPress directly in your browser, so everything loads up in seconds.
In simple terms, you just visit the Playground site and boom—you have a working WordPress site with admin access, ready to go for testing. Instead of relying on MySQL, it uses a built-in SQLite database, so you don’t have to configure anything.
(Yes, this is a real test WordPress site running entirely in your browser—no server needed!)
The whole idea behind WordPress Playground is to make WordPress instant and hassle-free. Whether you’re a developer testing a theme, a beginner experimenting with WordPress, or just curious about how something works, Playground gives you a quick, disposable environment to try things out. It’s basically WordPress in one click—you can run it on your laptop, phone, or even inside Node.js. No setup, no waiting, click and start building.
How Does WordPress Playground Work? (For Developers)
WordPress Playground works by running PHP and WordPress directly in your browser using WebAssembly (WASM). Usually, WordPress needs a server with PHP and MySQL, but Playground skips all that by running everything inside your browser.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
- PHP in the Browser: The Playground team took the standard PHP interpreter and converted it into a WebAssembly module (.wasm). This lets your browser run PHP like an app without needing a server.
- No MySQL? No Problem! Instead of MySQL, Playground uses SQLite, a lightweight database that runs in the browser. This means WordPress can store data without needing a separate database server.
- Virtual File System: WordPress core files, themes, plugins, and uploads all live in a temporary virtual filesystem inside your browser’s memory. By default, everything resets when you refresh the page (but you can export your data if needed).
- Runs Like a Real WordPress Site: When you open Playground, it boots up WordPress behind the scenes and shows you a typical WordPress site inside an <iframe>. Even though it’s running in your browser, WordPress thinks it’s on a regular server.
- Works with Different Versions: You can switch between different WordPress and PHP versions quickly—load a different .wasm file or fetch a different WordPress version when starting Playground.
Because everything is self-contained in the browser, you can’t break anything on your actual system—just refresh the page if something goes wrong. That makes Playground an excellent tool for testing, learning, and experimenting without risk.
Check out the official WordPress Playground documentation!
The Best Developer Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed: wp-now
If you’re a developer working with WordPress, wp-now is going to change your workflow. It’s a CLI tool that lets you spin up a fully functional WordPress site instantly without installing PHP, MySQL, or a local server.
Instead of dealing with an application or complex setups, you just run:
And that’s it. You get a local WordPress site running in seconds—no config, no setup, just code. If you’re working on a plugin or theme, wp-now automatically loads your project into WordPress so you can start testing immediately. Need a specific WordPress or PHP version? Just add:
This is great for local development. No more waiting for Docker to boot or fighting with environment issues—just run wp-now and start coding.
Even Smoother Development with the VS Code Extension
If you use VS Code or Cursor, you can take this a step further with the WordPress Playground Extension. It adds a “Start WordPress Server” button inside your editor—click it, and a local WordPress Playground session launches with your current project loaded. No setup, no servers, just instant testing.
What Can You Do with WordPress Playground?
WordPress Playground is a developer’s dream tool. It makes testing, development, and sharing WordPress sites easier than ever. Here are some of the best ways to use it:
Quick Testing Without a Mess
Need to test a plugin or theme without setting up a whole WordPress site? Playground lets you spin up a fresh install in seconds. You can even test different WordPress and PHP versions instantly, which is perfect for checking compatibility.
Faster Plugin & Theme Development
Forget setting up local servers. Just open wp-now or use the VS Code extension, and you’ll be coding inside a real WordPress environment instantly. You can even design block themes right in the browser and export them when you’re done.
Easy Code Reviews & Demos
Instead of asking people to pull my branch and set up a test site, just send them a Playground link. They click, and boom, a fully working version of your plugin, theme, or PR loads in their browser.
Learning & Teaching Made Easy
Playground is perfect for tutorials, workshops, and onboarding. New users can experiment with WordPress in a safe sandbox where nothing breaks. It’s also great for blog posts. Imagine a tutorial where readers can try the code live without setting up WordPress!
Live Product Demos
Want to let users try your plugin or theme before they install it? Embed a fully functional WordPress site on your website using Playground. Visitors can tweak settings, test features, and get a real feel for your product.
WordPress Playground is an awesome tool for WordPress developers. Whether you’re testing a plugin, building a theme, reviewing code, or teaching WordPress, it gives you a fully functional WordPress site in seconds, with no setup and no hassle.
With tools like wp-now and the VS Code extension, Playground fits right into your workflow, making development faster and easier. Plus, since everything runs in the browser, you can experiment without worrying about breaking anything.