Running a WordPress major upgrade step by step with WP-CLI — commands and checkpoints for each stage

Short summary

A detailed guide for running WordPress major upgrades using WP-CLI with isolated stages and checkpoints. The approach avoids the dashboard 'Update All' button, instead updating core one version at a time, running DB migrations explicitly, verifying checksums, and updating plugins individually from low-risk to high-risk. Each stage includes a verification step before proceeding.

• •Avoid dashboard 'Update All'; use WP-CLI for isolated, staged upgrades
• •Update core one version at a time with explicit DB migration and checksum verification
• •Update plugins individually, starting with narrow blast radius and finishing with high-stakes ones

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.