Cloning creates an exact copy of your production site — including all files, database content, themes, and plugins — so you can safely test changes without affecting your live site. This guide covers creating, working with, and deleting site clones.
What Cloning Does
- Creates a complete duplicate of your site’s files and database
- The clone is an independent site — changes on the clone do not affect production
- The clone gets its own URL (e.g.,
my-staging-site.site) - The clone appears in your site list with a Staging badge
Creating a Clone
- Navigate to your site’s dashboard and click the Site Actions tab
- Find the Clone Site card
- Enter a name for your clone in the input field
- Click the Clone button
- Wait for the cloning process to complete — this may take several minutes depending on your site’s size
Naming Rules
- Use only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens
- Must be between 3 and 50 characters
- The name becomes your clone’s URL:
your-name.site
Working with Your Clone
Once created, your clone functions like any other site in your dashboard:
- It appears in your site list with a Staging status badge
- You can access its WordPress admin via the one-click login
- All standard features are available — domains, caching, connections, backups
- Install plugins, change themes, or test updates freely without risk to your production site
Tip: Use staging clones to test WordPress core updates, new plugins, or major design changes before applying them to your live site.
Deleting a Clone
When you’re done testing, you can delete the clone to free up resources.
- Navigate to the clone site’s dashboard
- Go to the Site Actions tab
- Find the Delete Site section
- Type the site name to confirm deletion
- Click the Delete button
Important: Deleting a clone is permanent and cannot be undone. All files, database content, and backups for the clone will be removed.
Need More Help?
If you have questions about cloning or need help with your staging workflow, contact MightyPress support.