CONFIG_FEATURES.md

New Configuration Features in export_wp_posts.sh v4.0

Overview

The updated script (v4.0) includes several new features for improved user experience:

1. Configuration File Support: Stores settings in .config/wp-export-config.json (in script directory)
2. Interactive Mode Selection: Choose between local and remote WordPress at startup
3. Domain History: Remembers last 10 domains for quick selection
4. SSH Favorites: Saves frequently used SSH connections with their WordPress paths
5. Export Statistics: Tracks total exports and last export date

Key Changes

1. Mode Selection

• Removed the --remote flag requirement
• Now prompts users to select mode interactively:
  • Option 1: Local WordPress
  • Option 2: Remote WordPress (SSH)

2. Domain History

• Shows recent domains when prompting for domain input
• Allows quick selection by number
• Automatically deduplicates and maintains order (most recent first)
• Limits to 10 most recent domains

3. SSH Connection Management

• Saves SSH connections as favorites with their WordPress paths
• Shows favorites first when selecting SSH connections
• Allows quick selection with F1, F2, etc.
• Still shows SSH config hosts as numbered options
• Maintains up to 10 favorite connections

4. Configuration Functions

The script includes these new functions:

• init_config() - Creates config directory and initial file
• load_config() - Loads current configuration
• save_config() - Saves configuration to disk
• add_domain_to_history() - Adds domain to recent list (with deduplication)
• add_ssh_to_favorites() - Saves SSH connection and path
• get_recent_domains() - Returns array of recent domains
• get_ssh_favorites() - Returns SSH favorites with paths
• update_export_stats() - Updates export count and timestamp

5. Configuration File Structure

The config file at .config/wp-export-config.json (located in the same directory as the script) has this structure:

{
  "recent_domains": [
    "example.com",
    "test.org",
    "demo.net"
  ],
  "ssh_favorites": [
    {
      "connection": "user@host.com",
      "path": "/home/user/public_html"
    }
  ],
  "export_stats": {
    "total_exports": 5,
    "last_export": "2025-08-12T10:30:00Z",
    "last_domain": "example.com"
  }
}

Usage Examples

First Run

$ ./export_wp_posts.sh
=== WordPress Export Script v4.0 ===

Select export mode:
  1) Local WordPress
  2) Remote WordPress (SSH)

Enter choice (1 or 2): 2

Remote Mode Selected
This script exports all post types and custom permalinks via SSH.

SSH Connection Options:

SSH config hosts:
  1. mysite-staging
  2. client-prod
  0. Enter custom connection

Select a host (1-2) or 0 for custom: 1

Subsequent Runs (with history)

$ ./export_wp_posts.sh
=== WordPress Export Script v4.0 ===

Select export mode:
  1) Local WordPress
  2) Remote WordPress (SSH)

Enter choice (1 or 2): 2

Remote Mode Selected
This script exports all post types and custom permalinks via SSH.

SSH Connection Options:

Recent SSH connections:
  F1. mysite-staging (path: /home/user/public_html)
  F2. client-prod (path: /var/www/html)

SSH config hosts:
  1. mysite-staging
  2. client-prod
  0. Enter custom connection

Select an option (F1-F2, 1-2, or 0): F1
Using favorite: mysite-staging (path: /home/user/public_html)

Recent domains:
  1. example.com
  2. staging.example.com
  3. client.com

Select a recent domain (1-3) or enter new domain: 1
Using: example.com

Benefits

1. Faster repeated exports: No need to re-enter domains or SSH details
2. Reduced errors: Pre-validated paths and connections
3. Better organization: Track export history and statistics
4. Improved workflow: Quick selection from favorites
5. Persistent settings: Configuration survives between sessions

Backwards Compatibility

The script maintains full backwards compatibility:

• All original features work exactly as before
• Output format remains unchanged
• Directory structure is the same
• Can still be used without the config file (it will create one automatically)