WordPress Frequently Asked Questions

What is WPSandbox?

WPSandbox is a free service that lets you create temporary WordPress sandbox sites instantly, with no signup or account required. Each site comes with full admin access so you can test updates before applying them to production, give clients a live preview, learn WordPress, or develop plugins and themes in a safe environment.

How do I create a WordPress sandbox site?

Visit the WPSandbox creation page, choose your desired WordPress version, PHP version, and any optional plugins or themes, then click Create Sandbox. Your site will be ready in seconds with full admin credentials displayed on screen.

Is WPSandbox free to use?

Yes, WPSandbox is completely free for basic usage. You can create temporary WordPress sandbox sites at no cost, with no account or credit card required.

How long do sandbox sites last?

Free sandbox sites last between 1 and 8 hours depending on the expiration you select during creation (default is 2 hours). After that, the site and all its data are automatically deleted.

Can I extend my site's expiration time?

Yes, you can get extra hours added to your sandbox by subscribing to our newsletter or sharing feedback and ideas during site creation. For even longer-lived sites, Pro plans offer extended durations.

Do I get full admin access?

Yes, every sandbox site gives you full WordPress administrator access. You can install plugins, change themes, modify settings, and do anything a regular admin can do.

What WordPress versions are available?

WPSandbox offers the latest WordPress 6 release, WordPress 4.9.9 for legacy testing, and nightly development builds. You can select your desired version during site creation.

Can I test WordPress nightly builds?

Yes, WPSandbox provides access to WordPress nightly builds so you can test upcoming features, verify plugin compatibility, and catch potential issues before the next official release.

What PHP versions can I choose from?

WPSandbox currently supports PHP 7.4, 8.1, and 8.4. Running your plugins and themes across these versions is a great way to check for deprecation warnings and ensure compatibility before upgrading your production server.

Can I install plugins on my sandbox?

Absolutely. You can install plugins from the WordPress plugin directory, upload ZIP files, or specify plugins by slug during site creation. You have full control over your sandbox environment.

How do I install a plugin by slug?

During site creation, enter the plugin slug in the plugins field. You can find a plugin's slug from its wordpress.org URL — for example, https://wordpress.org/plugins/woocommerce/ means the slug is woocommerce. You can add multiple slugs at once to have them all installed and activated automatically.

Can I upload a plugin ZIP file?

Yes, you can upload a plugin ZIP file directly through the WordPress admin dashboard under Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. This is useful for testing premium or custom plugins.

Can I install multiple plugins at once?

Yes, during site creation you can specify multiple plugin slugs and they will all be installed and activated automatically when your sandbox is provisioned.

Can I install themes on my sandbox?

Yes, you can install any theme from the WordPress theme directory, upload a theme ZIP through the admin dashboard, or specify a theme slug during site creation.

How do I install a theme by slug?

During site creation, enter the theme slug in the theme field. You can find a theme's slug from its wordpress.org URL — for example, https://wordpress.org/themes/flavor/ means the slug is flavor. The theme will be installed and activated automatically when your sandbox is provisioned.

Can I upload a theme ZIP file?

Yes, navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme in your sandbox admin dashboard to upload and install any theme from a ZIP file.

What is WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite is a feature that lets you run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation. It is commonly used by organizations managing networks of related sites with shared users and plugins.

Can I set up WordPress Multisite on WPSandbox?

Yes, WPSandbox supports WordPress Multisite. You can enable it during site creation to test multisite-specific plugins, themes, and network administration features.

How do I enable WordPress debugging?

Toggle the WP_DEBUG option during site creation. This enables WordPress debugging mode so PHP errors, notices, and warnings are logged and can optionally be displayed on screen.

What is WP_DEBUG?

WP_DEBUG is a PHP constant that enables WordPress debug mode. When set to true, it causes WordPress to display PHP errors and warnings, which is essential for plugin and theme development. Errors can also be written to wp-content/debug.log when WP_DEBUG_LOG is enabled, giving you a persistent log to review.

What is script debugging in WordPress?

Script debugging (SCRIPT_DEBUG) forces WordPress to load the unminified versions of CSS and JavaScript files. This is helpful when developing or troubleshooting front-end issues in themes and plugins.

How do I display PHP errors on my sandbox?

Enable WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY during site creation. This will output PHP errors and warnings directly on your sandbox pages, making it easy to identify and fix issues in real time.

Can I upload files to my sandbox site?

Yes, you can upload images, documents, and other media through the WordPress Media Library just like you would on any regular WordPress site.

Are there file upload size limits?

Yes, sandbox sites have a file upload limit, but it allows uploads suitable for typical development and testing. Large media files or database imports may hit the limit, so keep uploads focused on what you need for your testing workflow.

Is my sandbox site publicly accessible?

Yes, your sandbox site has a unique public URL that anyone can visit. However, sandbox sites include noindex headers so search engines do not index them, keeping your temporary work out of search results.

Can I share my sandbox URL with others?

Yes, you can share the sandbox URL with clients, team members, or collaborators so they can preview your work. Anyone with the link can view the site's front end.

What happens when my sandbox expires?

When a sandbox expires, the site and all associated data are permanently deleted. Make sure to export any content or configurations you need before the expiration date.

Can I export my site's data before it expires?

Yes, you can use the built-in WordPress export tool under Tools > Export to download your posts, pages, and other content as an XML file before your sandbox expires.

Can I import content into my sandbox?

Yes, you can use the WordPress Importer plugin under Tools > Import to load content from a WordPress export XML file. This is useful for testing migrations or theme layouts with real content.

Is WPSandbox secure?

Yes, each sandbox has its own WordPress installation and database with good isolation between sites. Sites are temporary and automatically deleted after expiration, minimizing security risks. If you need total isolation, contact us about a custom plan.

Can I test WooCommerce on WPSandbox?

Yes, simply install the woocommerce plugin by slug during site creation or from the WordPress plugin directory. You can test product creation, cart and checkout flow, payment gateway configuration, shipping rules, and WooCommerce-compatible extensions all within your sandbox.

Can I test contact form plugins?

Yes, you can install popular form plugins like contact-form-7, wpforms-lite, or forminator to test form creation and configuration. Note that outbound email may be limited on sandbox sites.

Can I test page builders like Elementor or Divi?

Yes, you can install any page builder available in the WordPress plugin directory, such as Elementor or Beaver Builder. For premium builders like Divi, you can upload the ZIP file through the admin dashboard.

Do sandbox sites come with pre-installed plugins?

Sandbox sites start with a clean WordPress installation by default. You choose which plugins and themes to install during site creation or afterwards via the admin dashboard.

Can I change the PHP version after creating my site?

On free sandboxes, the PHP version is set during site creation and cannot be changed afterwards. If you need a different version, create a new sandbox. Pro plans will allow changing the PHP version after a site is set up.

Do I get database access?

Direct database access is not provided on free sandbox sites. However, you can manage your data through the WordPress admin interface and available database management plugins. A web-based database manager is coming soon to Pro plans.

Can I use phpMyAdmin on my sandbox?

phpMyAdmin is not included by default. However, you can install a database management plugin like adminer or use the WordPress admin to manage your content and settings. A web-based database manager is also coming soon to Pro plans.

Can I use the WordPress REST API?

Yes, the WordPress REST API is fully available on sandbox sites. You can use it to test headless WordPress setups, build custom integrations, or develop API-driven applications.

Can I test custom code on my sandbox?

Yes, you can add custom PHP, CSS, and JavaScript through the Theme Editor, custom plugins, or code snippet plugins. Sandbox sites are perfect for experimenting with custom code safely.

Can I edit theme code directly?

Yes, you can edit theme files through the WordPress Theme File Editor under Appearance > Theme File Editor. This lets you modify PHP templates, CSS, and JavaScript directly in your browser.

Are there bandwidth or traffic limits?

Sandboxes are sized for development and testing workloads, not for serving production traffic or load testing. Reasonable usage limits apply to ensure fair access for all users. If you need a production-grade environment, check the Pro plans.

Can I connect a custom domain?

No, sandbox sites use an automatically generated subdomain. Custom domains are not supported since sandboxes are temporary environments designed for quick testing.

Can I test email sending from my sandbox?

Outbound email is limited on sandbox sites to prevent abuse. You can install an SMTP plugin like wp-mail-smtp to route email through an external service, or use wp-mail-logging to inspect outgoing messages without actually sending them.

How fast are WPSandbox sites?

Every sandbox runs on a carefully configured and optimized tech stack — from the web server and PHP runtime to the database and caching layers. Sites provision in seconds and deliver fast page loads out of the box.

What server environment do sandbox sites use?

Sandboxes run on a web server with a database and your selected PHP version, closely mirroring a real-world WordPress hosting stack. Free sites have good isolation between them. Need total isolation? Contact us about a custom plan.

Can I use WP-CLI on my sandbox?

Direct SSH and WP-CLI access is not available on sandbox sites. You can manage your site through the WordPress admin dashboard instead.

Can I test WordPress updates?

Yes, you can test core, plugin, and theme updates safely on your sandbox. This is an ideal way to verify compatibility before applying updates to your production site.

Are sandbox sites backed up?

No, sandbox sites are temporary and not backed up. They are designed for disposable testing. Be sure to export any important data before your sandbox expires.

Can I create multiple sandbox sites?

Yes, you can create multiple sandbox sites simultaneously. Each site operates independently with its own WordPress installation, database, and configuration.

What features do Pro plans offer?

Pro plans offer longer site lifespans (days instead of hours), more concurrent sandbox sites, higher storage and upload limits, a web-based database manager, and priority site provisioning. They are ideal for developers and agencies who need persistent testing environments.