# Launch and configure a WordPress instance on Lightsail Configure WordPress Amazon Lightsail is the easiest way to get started with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Lightsail includes everything you need to launch your project quickly — instances (virtual private servers), managed databases, SSD-based storage, backups (snapshots), data transfer, domain DNS management, static IPs, and load balancers — for a [low, predictable price](https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/pricing/). With this tutorial, you will learn how to launch and configure a WordPress instance on Lightsail. It includes steps to configure a custom domain name, secure internet traffic with HTTPS, connect to your instance by using SSH, and sign in to your WordPress website. When you’re done with this tutorial, you have the fundamentals to get your instance up and running on Lightsail. **Note** As part of the AWS Free Tier, you can get started with Amazon Lightsail for free on select instance bundles. For more information, see **AWS Free Tier** on the [Amazon Lightsail Pricing page](https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/pricing). ## Prerequisites ### Step 1: Sign up for AWS Amazon Lightsail requires an AWS account. [Sign up for AWS](https://console.aws.amazon.com/console/home), or [sign in to AWS](https://console.aws.amazon.com/console/home) if you already have an account. ### Step 2: Create a WordPress instance Complete the following steps to get your WordPress instance up and running. For more information, see [Create a Lightsail instance](how-to-create-amazon-lightsail-instance-virtual-private-server-vps.md). **To create a Lightsail instance for WordPress** 1. Sign in to the [Lightsail console](https://lightsail.aws.amazon.com/). 1. On the **Instances** section of the Lightsail home page, choose **Create instance**. ![\[Launching WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-01.png) 1. Choose the AWS Region and Availability Zone for your instance. ![\[Launching WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/create-instance-select-region-az.png) 1. Choose the image for your instance as follows: 1. For **Select a platform**, choose **Linux/Unix**. 1. Select a **WordPress** blueprint. You can choose a Amazon Lightsail or Bitnami provider. 1. Choose an instance plan. A plan includes a machine configuration (RAM, SSD, vCPU) at a low, predictable cost, plus a data transfer allowance. 1. Enter a name for your instance. Resource names: + Must be unique within each AWS Region in your Lightsail account. + Must contain 2 to 255 characters. + Must start and end with an alphanumeric character or number. + Can include alphanumeric characters, numbers, periods, dashes, and underscores. 1. Choose **Create instance**. 1. To view the test blog post, go to the instance management page and copy the public IPv4 address shown in the upper-right corner of the page. Paste the address into the address field of an internet-connected web browser. The browser displays the test blog post. After your instance is running, identify your WordPress blueprint vendor on the instance management page, then select the appropriate guide below: ------ #### [ Bitnami ] ## Step 3: Configure your WordPress instance You can configure your WordPress instance by using a guided, step-by-step workflow, or you can complete the individual tasks. Using either option, you will configure the following: + **A registered domain name** – Your WordPress site needs a domain name that is easy to remember. Users will specify this domain name to access your WordPress site. For more information, see [Register and manage domains for your website in Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-domain-registration.md). + **DNS management** – You must decide how to manage the DNS records for your domain. A DNS record tells the DNS server which IP address or hostname a domain or subdomain is associated with. A DNS zone contains the DNS records for your domain. For more information, see [Understanding DNS in Lightsail](understanding-dns-in-amazon-lightsail.md). + **A Static IP address** – The default public IP address for your WordPress instance changes if you stop and start your instance. When you attach a static IP address to your instance, it stays the same even if you stop and start your instance. For more information, see [View and manage IP addresses for Lightsail resources](understanding-public-ip-and-private-ip-addresses-in-amazon-lightsail.md). + **An SSL/TLS certificate** – After you create a validated certificate and install it on your instance, you can enable HTTPS for your WordPress website so that traffic that is routed to the instance through your registered domain is encrypted using HTTPS. For more information, see [Secure your WordPress site with HTTPS on Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-enabling-https-on-wordpress.md). ### Option: Guided workflow **Tip** Review the following tips before you begin. For troubleshooting information, see [Troubleshooting WordPress setup](amazon-lightsail-troubleshooting-wp-setup.md). Setup supports Lightsail instances with WordPress version 6 and newer, that were created after January 1, 2023. The Certbot dependency file, HTTPS rewrite script and certificate renewal script that are run during setup are saved in the `/opt/bitnami/lightsail/scripts/` directory on your instance. Your instance must be in a **Running** state. Allow a few minutes for the SSH connection to become ready if the instance was just started. Ports 22, 80, and 443 on your instance firewall must allow TCP connections from any IP address while setup is running. For more information, see [Instance firewalls](understanding-firewall-and-port-mappings-in-amazon-lightsail.md). When you add or update DNS records that point traffic from your apex domain (`example.com`) and its `www` subdomains (`www.example.com`), they will need to propagate throughout the Internet. You can verify that your DNS changes have taken effect by using tools such as [nslookup](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs//messaging-and-targeting/how-to-check-your-domain-verification-settings/), or [DNS Lookup](https://mxtoolbox.com/DnsLookup.aspx) from *MxToolbox*. Wordpress instances that were created prior to January 1, 2023, might contain a deprecated Certbot Personal Package Archive (PPA) repository that will cause website setup to fail. If this repository is present during setup, it will be removed from the existing path and backed up to the following location on your instance: `~/opt/bitnami/lightsail/repo.backup`. For more information about the deprecated PPA, see [Certbot PPA](https://launchpad.net/~certbot/+archive/ubuntu/certbot) on the *Canonical* website. Let's Encrypt certificates will automatically renew every 60 to 90 days. While setup is in progress, do not stop or make changes to your instance. It can take up to 15 minutes to configure your instance. You can view the progress for each step in the instance connect tab. **To configure your instance using the website setup wizard** 1. On the instance management page, on the **Connect** tab, choose **Set up your website**. ![\[Launching WordPress setup in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-gf-01.png) 1. For **Specify a domain name**, use an existing Lightsail managed domain, register a new domain with Lightsail, or use a domain that you registered by using another domain registrar. Choose **Use this domain** to go to the next step. 1. For **Configure DNS**, do one of the following: + Choose **Lightsail managed domain** to use a Lightsail DNS zone. Choose **Use this DNS zone** to go to the next step. + Choose **Third-party domain** to use the hosting service that manages the DNS records for your domain. Note that we create a matching DNS zone in your Lightsail account in case you decide to use it later on. Choose **Use third-party DNS** to go to the next step. 1. For **Create a static IP address**, enter a name for your static IP address and then choose **Create static IP**. 1. For **Manage domain assignments**, choose **Add assignment**, choose a domain type, and then choose **Add**. Choose **Continue** to go to the next step. 1. For **Create an SSL/TLS certificate**, choose your domains and subdomains, enter an email address, select **I authorize Lightsail to configure a Let's Encrypt certificate on my instance**, and choose **Create certificate**. We start to configure the Lightsail resources. While setup is in progress, do not stop or make changes to your instance. It can take up to 15 minutes to configure your instance. You can view the progress for each step in the instance connect tab. 1. After the website setup is complete, verify that the URLs that you specified in the domain assignments step open your WordPress site. ### Option: Individual tasks **To configure your instance by completing the individual tasks** 1. **Create a static IP address** On the instance management page, on the **Networking** tab, choose **Create static IP**. The static IP location and instance are selected for you. Specify a name for your static IP address and then choose **Create and attach**. 1. **Create a DNS zone** In the navigation pane, choose **Domains & DNS**. Choose **Create DNS zone**, enter your domain, and then choose **Create DNS zone**. If web traffic is currently being routed to your domain, make sure that all of the existing DNS records are present in the Lightsail DNS zone before changing the name servers at your domain's current DNS hosting provider. This way, traffic continually flows uninterrupted after the transfer to the Lightsail DNS zone 1. **Manage domain assignments** On the page for the DNS zone, on the **Assignments** tab, choose **Add assignment**. Choose the domain or subdomain, select your instance, attach the static IP address, and then choose **Assign**. **Tip** Allow time for these changes to propagate to the internet before your domain starts routing traffic to your WordPress instance. 1. **Create and install an SSL/TLS certificate** For step-by-step directions, see [Secure your WordPress site with HTTPS on Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-enabling-https-on-wordpress.md). 1. Verify that the URLs that you specified in the domain assignments step open your WordPress site. ## Step 4: Get the admin password for your WordPress website The default password to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website is stored on the instance. Complete the following steps to get the password. **To get the default password for the WordPress administrator** 1. Open the instance management page for your WordPress instance. 1. On the **WordPress** panel, choose **Retrieve default password**. This expands **Access default password** at the bottom of the page. ![\[Accessing WordPress admin password in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/wordpress/wordpress-bitnami-retrieve-password.png) 1. Choose **Launch CloudShell**. This opens a panel at the bottom of the page. 1. Choose **Copy** and then paste the contents into the CloudShell window. You can either put your cursor at the CloudShell prompt and press Ctrl\$1V, or you can right-click to open the menu and then choose **Paste**. 1. Make a note of the password displayed in the CloudShell window. You need this to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website. ![\[Viewing WordPress admin password in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-viewing-admin-password-01.png) ## Step 5: Sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website Now that you have the password for the administration dashboard of your WordPress website, you can sign in. In the administration dashboard, you can change your user password, install plugins, change the theme of your website, and more. Complete the following steps to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website. **To sign in to the administration dashboard** 1. Open the instance management page for your WordPress instance. 1. On the **WordPress** panel, choose **Access WordPress Admin**. 1. On the **Access your WordPress Admin Dashboard** panel, under **Use public IP address**, choose the link with this format: http://*public-ipv4-address*./wp-admin 1. For **Username or Email Address**, enter **user**. 1. For **Password**, enter the password obtained in the previous step. 1. Choose **Log in**. ![\[Launching and configuring WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-07.png) You are now signed in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website where you can perform administrative actions. For more information about administering your WordPress website, see the [WordPress Codex](https://codex.wordpress.org/) in the WordPress documentation. ![\[Launching and configuring WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-08.png) ------ #### [ Lightsail ] ## Step 3: Configure your WordPress instance You can configure your WordPress instance by using a guided, step-by-step workflow, or you can complete the individual tasks. Using either option, you will configure the following: + **A registered domain name** – Your WordPress site needs a domain name that is easy to remember. Users will specify this domain name to access your WordPress site. For more information, see [Register and manage domains for your website in Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-domain-registration.md). + **DNS management** – You must decide how to manage the DNS records for your domain. A DNS record tells the DNS server which IP address or hostname a domain or subdomain is associated with. A DNS zone contains the DNS records for your domain. For more information, see [Understanding DNS in Lightsail](understanding-dns-in-amazon-lightsail.md). + **A Static IP address** – The default public IP address for your WordPress instance changes if you stop and start your instance. When you attach a static IP address to your instance, it stays the same even if you stop and start your instance. For more information, see [View and manage IP addresses for Lightsail resources](understanding-public-ip-and-private-ip-addresses-in-amazon-lightsail.md). + **An SSL/TLS certificate** – After you create a validated certificate and install it on your instance, you can enable HTTPS for your WordPress website so that traffic that is routed to the instance through your registered domain is encrypted using HTTPS. For more information, see [Secure your WordPress site with HTTPS on Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-enabling-https-on-wordpress.md). ### Option: Guided workflow **Tip** Review the following tips before you begin. For troubleshooting information, see [Troubleshooting WordPress setup](amazon-lightsail-troubleshooting-wp-setup.md). Your instance must be in a **Running** state. Allow a few minutes for the SSH connection to become ready if the instance was just started. Ports 22, 80, and 443 on your instance firewall must allow TCP connections from any IP address while setup is running. For more information, see [Instance firewalls](understanding-firewall-and-port-mappings-in-amazon-lightsail.md). When you add or update DNS records that point traffic from your apex domain (`example.com`) and its `www` subdomains (`www.example.com`), they will need to propagate throughout the Internet. You can verify that your DNS changes have taken effect by using tools such as [nslookup](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs//messaging-and-targeting/how-to-check-your-domain-verification-settings/), or [DNS Lookup](https://mxtoolbox.com/DnsLookup.aspx) from *MxToolbox*. Let's Encrypt certificates will automatically renew every 60 to 90 days. While setup is in progress, do not stop or make changes to your instance. It can take up to 15 minutes to configure your instance. You can view the progress for each step in the instance connect tab. **To configure your instance using the website setup wizard** 1. On the instance management page, on the **Connect** tab, choose **Set up your website**. ![\[Launching WordPress setup in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-gf-01.png) 1. For **Specify a domain name**, use an existing Lightsail managed domain, register a new domain with Lightsail, or use a domain that you registered by using another domain registrar. Choose **Use this domain** to go to the next step. 1. For **Configure DNS**, do one of the following: + Choose **Lightsail managed domain** to use a Lightsail DNS zone. Choose **Use this DNS zone** to go to the next step. + Choose **Third-party domain** to use the hosting service that manages the DNS records for your domain. Note that we create a matching DNS zone in your Lightsail account in case you decide to use it later on. Choose **Use third-party DNS** to go to the next step. 1. For **Create a static IP address**, enter a name for your static IP address and then choose **Create static IP**. 1. For **Manage domain assignments**, choose **Add assignment**, choose a domain type, and then choose **Add**. Choose **Continue** to go to the next step. 1. For **Create an SSL/TLS certificate**, choose your domains and subdomains, enter an email address, select **I authorize Lightsail to configure a Let's Encrypt certificate on my instance**, and choose **Create certificate**. We start to configure the Lightsail resources. While setup is in progress, do not stop or make changes to your instance. It can take up to 15 minutes to configure your instance. You can view the progress for each step in the instance connect tab. 1. After the website setup is complete, verify that the URLs that you specified in the domain assignments step open your WordPress site. ### Option: Individual tasks **To configure your instance by completing the individual tasks** 1. **Create a static IP address** On the instance management page, on the **Networking** tab, choose **Create static IP**. The static IP location and instance are selected for you. Specify a name for your static IP address and then choose **Create and attach**. 1. **Create a DNS zone** In the navigation pane, choose **Domains & DNS**. Choose **Create DNS zone**, enter your domain, and then choose **Create DNS zone**. If web traffic is currently being routed to your domain, make sure that all of the existing DNS records are present in the Lightsail DNS zone before changing the name servers at your domain's current DNS hosting provider. This way, traffic continually flows uninterrupted after the transfer to the Lightsail DNS zone 1. **Manage domain assignments** On the page for the DNS zone, on the **Assignments** tab, choose **Add assignment**. Choose the domain or subdomain, select your instance, attach the static IP address, and then choose **Assign**. **Tip** Allow time for these changes to propagate to the internet before your domain starts routing traffic to your WordPress instance. 1. **Create and install an SSL/TLS certificate** For step-by-step directions, see [Secure your WordPress site with HTTPS on Lightsail](amazon-lightsail-enabling-https-on-wordpress.md). 1. Verify that the URLs that you specified in the domain assignments step open your WordPress site. ## Step 4: Get the admin password for your WordPress website The default password to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website is stored on the instance. Complete the following steps to get the password. **To get the default password for the WordPress administrator** 1. Open the instance management page for your WordPress instance. 1. On the **WordPress** panel, choose **Retrieve default password**. This expands **Access default password** at the bottom of the page. ![\[Accessing WordPress admin password in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/wordpress/wordpress-lightsail-retrieve-password.png) 1. Choose **Launch CloudShell**. This opens a panel at the bottom of the page. 1. Choose **Copy** and then paste the contents into the CloudShell window. You can either put your cursor at the CloudShell prompt and press Ctrl\$1V, or you can right-click to open the menu and then choose **Paste**. 1. Make a note of the password displayed in the CloudShell window. You need this to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website. ![\[Viewing WordPress admin password in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/wordpress/amazon-wordpress-lightsail-viewing-admin-password.png) ## Step 5: Sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website Now that you have the password for the administration dashboard of your WordPress website, you can sign in. In the administration dashboard, you can change your user password, install plugins, change the theme of your website, and more. Complete the following steps to sign in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website. **To sign in to the administration dashboard** 1. Open the instance management page for your WordPress instance. 1. On the **WordPress** panel, choose **Access WordPress Admin**. 1. On the **Access your WordPress Admin Dashboard** panel, under **Use public IP address**, choose the link with this format: http://*public-ipv4-address*./wp-admin 1. For **Username or Email Address**, enter **user**. 1. For **Password**, enter the password obtained in the previous step. 1. Choose **Log in**. ![\[Launching and configuring WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-07.png) You are now signed in to the administration dashboard of your WordPress website where you can perform administrative actions. For more information about administering your WordPress website, see the [WordPress Codex](https://codex.wordpress.org/) in the WordPress documentation. ![\[Launching and configuring WordPress in Lightsail.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-wordpress-tutorial-08.png) ------ ## Additional information Here are some additional steps that you can perform after launching a WordPress instance in Amazon Lightsail: + [Configure WordPress with a Lightsail content delivery network](amazon-lightsail-editing-wp-config-for-distribution.md) + [Create a snapshot of your Linux or Unix instance](lightsail-how-to-create-a-snapshot-of-your-instance.md) + [Enable or disable automatic snapshots for instances or disks](amazon-lightsail-configuring-automatic-snapshots.md) + [Create and attach additional block storage disks to your Linux-based instances](create-and-attach-additional-block-storage-disks-linux-unix.md)