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← Part 1: MainWP Introduction Part 3: MainWP User Interface → MainWP requires two components:
  • MainWP Dashboard - Install on a dedicated WordPress site that controls all other sites
  • MainWP Child - Install on each WordPress site you want to manage
Install MainWP Dashboard on a clean WordPress installation rather than an operating site. This eliminates plugin conflicts.
MainWP Dashboard has no site limit. Check the System Requirements to verify your server can handle your planned number of child sites.

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Prerequisites

Before starting, confirm you have:
  • A dedicated WordPress site for the MainWP Dashboard (not an existing production site)
  • Administrator access to the Dashboard site
  • Administrator access to each child site you want to manage
  • MainWP Child plugin ready to install on child sites

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Install MainWP Dashboard

1

Open the Plugins page

Go to WP Admin > Plugins on your WordPress site dedicated to hosting MainWP Dashboard.
2

Add new plugin

Click Add New.
3

Search for MainWP

Enter “MainWP” in the search field and press Enter.
4

Install the plugin

Find MainWP Dashboard in the results and click Install Now.
5

Activate

Click Activate once installation completes.

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Manual Installation

1

Download

Download the MainWP Dashboard plugin.
2

Extract

If downloaded as a zip, extract the plugin folder.
3

Upload via FTP

Upload the plugin folder to wp-content/plugins/ on your Dashboard site.
4

Activate

Go to WP Admin > Plugins and activate MainWP Dashboard.

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Quick Setup Wizard

The Quick Setup Wizard launches after a new MainWP Dashboard installation. It guides you through this sequence:
  1. Welcome
  2. Introduction
  3. System Check
  4. Add Site
  5. Add Client
  6. Monitoring
  7. Setup Complete
You can skip from the Welcome step using Skip the Setup Wizard, and start it again later from MainWP > Settings > Tools using Start Quick Setup Wizard.

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Welcome

Quick Setup Wizard introduction screen Start the wizard with Start the MainWP Quick Setup Wizard or skip to the Dashboard with Skip the Setup Wizard.

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Introduction

The Introduction step includes a MainWP Guided Tours option (enabled by default). Click Let’s Go! to continue.

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System Check

MainWP verifies server requirements needed to connect Child sites. If any checks fail, resolve the issues before continuing.

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Add Site

Choose whether to connect a single site or multiple sites.
  1. Select Single Site
  2. Enter the site URL and administrator username
  3. Configure authentication:
    • Administrator password (enabled by default) - Requires the admin password during connection
    • Unique Security ID (disabled by default) - Optional extra security layer
  4. Optionally set a Site Title
  5. Enable Confirm that the MainWP Child plugin is activated on the site(s) you wish to connect
  6. Click Connect Site and Proceed
Authentication options can be found in MainWP Child settings: your-child-site.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=mainwp_child_tab

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Add Client

Create client profiles to associate with your sites. Single client: Enter Client Name (required), plus optional email, photo, and phone. Add additional contacts using Additional Contact Information. Multiple clients: Switch to the Multiple Clients tab and enter Client Name and Email for each imported site. Sites with matching client name and email are merged into a single client profile.

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Monitoring

Configure:
  • Enable Uptime Monitoring and the check interval
  • Enable Site Health monitoring and the health threshold
For full configuration details, see: Click Save and Finish! to complete setup.

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Setup Complete

Your MainWP Dashboard is ready. Click Go to Dashboard.
  • Restart the wizard anytime from MainWP > Settings > Tools using Start Quick Setup Wizard
  • Use Continue Without Adding Sites or Continue Without Creating Clients to skip optional steps
  • Use Back to … buttons to adjust previous steps

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Install MainWP Child

1

Open Plugins

Go to WP Admin > Plugins on the child site you want to add.
2

Add new plugin

Click Add New.
3

Search

Enter “MainWP” and press Enter.
4

Install

Find MainWP Child and click Install Now.
5

Activate

Click Activate.MainWP Child plugin in WordPress plugins list

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Manual Installation

1

Download

Download the MainWP Child plugin.
2

Extract

If downloaded as a zip, extract the plugin folder.
3

Upload via FTP

Upload to wp-content/plugins/ on the child site.
4

Activate

Go to WP Admin > Plugins and activate MainWP Child.
After activation, open MainWP Child settings to confirm your connection authentication options.

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MainWP Child Plugin Settings

MainWP Child plugin settings page
SettingDefaultDescription
Require Password AuthenticationEnabledRequires admin password when connecting from Dashboard
Unique Security IDDisabledOptional security ID that must match when connecting
Connection Timeout—Minutes the plugin stays active waiting for connection
For more details, see Connection Security.

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Add a Site to Your Dashboard

After installing MainWP Child, add the site to your Dashboard.
1

Navigate to Add New

Log into your Dashboard and go to MainWP > Sites > Add New.
2

Enter site URL

Enter your child site URL.
3

Verify Child plugin

Toggle Confirm the MainWP Child plugin is active on this site to reveal additional fields.
4

Enter credentials

Enter the administrator username and choose authentication method(s):
  • Administrator password (optional, enabled by default)
  • Unique Security ID (optional, disabled by default)
5

Add optional settings

OptionDescription
Site iconUpload custom icon or select built-in icon (favicon used if empty)
TagsOrganize site with existing or new tags
ClientAssociate site with a client
Verify SSL certificateDisable for self-signed or outdated certificates
HTTP username/passwordFor sites using HTTP Basic Authentication
6

Connect

Click Add Site.

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Add-ons Settings Synchronization

When supported MainWP Add-ons are installed, the Add New Site form can show synchronization options:
  • Install a required third-party plugin on the child site
  • Apply the add-on plugin settings (or global add-on options) during site connection
If you experience connection issues:
  1. Use Test Connection to verify Dashboard can communicate with the site
  2. Check Potential Issues for solutions
  3. Submit a support ticket if needed

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Test Connection

Test Connection verifies what your MainWP Dashboard can reach, which may differ from what your browser sees.
1

Open Add New

Go to MainWP > Sites > Add New.
2

Enter URL

Enter your child site URL.
3

Test

Click Test Connection.
Test Connection button A successful test shows a modal with: 
Connection successful!
URL: yoururl.com (IP: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) - Received HTTP-code 200 (OK)
For other results, see the full list of HTTP Status Codes.

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Completion Checklist

Verify your setup is complete:
  • MainWP Dashboard installed and activated on dedicated site
  • Quick Setup Wizard completed (or skipped intentionally)
  • MainWP Child installed on at least one child site
  • Child site connected successfully (shows in MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites)
  • Test Connection returns HTTP 200 status