This checklist applies the required baseline WordPress core settings immediately after a successful custom installation.
Its purpose is to establish a clean, predictable WordPress state before any plugins, themes, builders, or performance tuning steps are introduced.
Checklist Objective
Apply and verify WordPress core settings so downstream setup steps execute against a known, stable baseline.
Scope Boundary
This checklist covers:
- WordPress General, Writing, Reading, Discussion, Media, and Permalink settings
- Initial comment system lockdown appropriate for a new, non‑indexed site
- Removal of default WordPress content
- Baseline verification of admin and frontend behavior
This checklist does not cover:
- User role configuration or security hardening beyond defaults
- Plugin installation or configuration
- Theme or builder installation
- wp‑config.php constants or performance tuning
Checklist Steps — Core Settings Application
1. Log in to WordPress Admin
- Log in to WP‑Admin using the primary administrator account
- Confirm the dashboard loads without errors
2. Settings → General
- Site Title: verify or leave default
- Tagline: verify or leave default
- Administration Email Address: confirm correct
- Timezone: select a city‑based timezone
- Date Format: leave default
- Time Format: leave default
- Week Starts On: Monday (or leave default if intentional)
- Tap Save Changes
3. Settings → Writing
- Default Post Category: leave default
- Default Post Format: leave default
- Tap Save Changes
4. Settings → Reading
- Your homepage displays: Your latest posts
- Search engine visibility: Discourage search engines from indexing this site
- Tap Save Changes
5. Settings → Discussion (Baseline)
- Uncheck all default comment allowance options
- Before a comment appears: Comment must be manually approved
- Avatar Display: enabled
- Default Avatar: Mystery Person
- Tap Save Changes
6. Settings → Media
- Uncheck Organize my uploads into month‑ and year‑based folders
- Tap Save Changes
7. Settings → Permalinks
- Select Post name
- Category base: topics
- Tap Save Changes
8. Remove default WordPress content
- Delete default post
- Delete default page
- Delete default comment
- Empty trash for Posts, Pages, and Comments
9. Baseline verification
- Visit the site frontend and confirm it loads
- Navigate several admin screens to confirm stability
- Confirm no warnings or errors appear
Required Output
- WordPress core settings applied and saved
- Comment system locked down for new site context
- Default content removed
- Indexing intentionally disabled
- Clean baseline confirmed
Pause & Lock
At this point, WordPress core settings are locked. Do not introduce plugins, themes, or builders until proceeding to the next checklist.
Proceed to: WordPress Setup 02 — User Roles & Security Basics