WordPress SQLite DB Integration

#15074 · December 27, 2024

A recent twitter interaction prompted me to explore the SQLite database integration plugin for WordPress. I have previously used its predecessors, wp-sqlite-db and sqlite-integration. Unfortunately, the community plugin lacks installation instructions and has broken the method for installation via Composer and koodimonni/composer-dropin-installer.

Installation

The primary issue, and a reason for potential inclusion in core, is that installing plugins requires a running WordPress system, which in turn needs a database. It is possible to bypass the intermediary MySQL/MariaDB database, which is only necessary for the plugin installation. Minimal configuration involves only two steps:

  1. Download and unzip the plugin from this link.
  2. Move the db.php drop-in file.

Assuming you’re operating from the root of your installation and keep plugins in wp-content, here’s a straightforward script: 

#!/bin/bash

# Define variables
PLUGIN_URL="https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/sqlite-database-integration.zip"
PLUGIN_ZIP="sqlite-database-integration.zip"
PLUGIN_DIR="wp-content/plugins"
DB_COPY_SRC="$PLUGIN_DIR/sqlite-database-integration/db.copy"
DB_COPY_DEST="wp-content/db.php"

# Download the plugin zip file
curl -o $PLUGIN_ZIP $PLUGIN_URL

# Unzip the plugin to the plugins directory
unzip -o $PLUGIN_ZIP -d $PLUGIN_DIR

# Copy the db.copy to the destination
cp $DB_COPY_SRC $DB_COPY_DEST

# Clean up by removing the downloaded zip file
rm $PLUGIN_ZIP

Configuration

There are additional steps to consider, such as placing the database file above the public root directory. Unfortunately, the plugin documentation does not cover this:

  1. Although the db.php drop-in file sets this constant if it’s not defined, I would set const DB_ENGINE = 'sqlite';.
  2. Examine the db.php drop-in. It sets two variables when copied by the plugin. Since we don’t yet have a WordPress installation, it defaults to standard settings.
  3. Set the following constants if you want to store the database in a different location:
FQDBDIR
This is the database directory where your *.sqlite will be saved. It defaults to a database directory in the WP_CONTENT_DIR.
FQDB
This is the name of the database file. Default .ht.sqlite.

Typically, my wp-config.php file is one level above the web root of my site, and thus I would place the database directory there as well. Ensure the location is writable by the application. 

const DB_ENGINE = 'sqlite';
const FQDBDIR   = __DIR__ . '/database';

Conclusion

By following the two simple steps mentioned above, you can utilize an SQLite database in WordPress without the need for an intermediary MySQL/MariaDB database.

Check out Duane‘s project https://notwp.org/. An attempt at creating an alternative WordPress plugin directory.