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WP Emergency File Replacer

Creates a standalone emergency script that lets you upload/replace any file in your WordPress root tree, protected by a password.

by Geek Code Lab · github.com/geekwebsolution/wp-emergency-file-replacer

★ 0stars

Install

Download source zip No release zip yet

This is the repository archive. It installs, but the folder name will carry the branch suffix and updates will not flow.

Install straight from GitHub with WP-CLI:

wp plugin install https://github.com/geekwebsolution/wp-emergency-file-replacer/archive/refs/heads/main.zip
No built-in updater. New versions won't appear under Dashboard → Updates. Install new releases yourself, or let Git Updater track the repository.
Readme github.com/geekwebsolution/wp-emergency-file-replacer ↗

WordPress plugin that generates a standalone emergency file replacer script so you can recover from fatal errors by replacing files without loading WordPress.

Why?

Sometimes a small change (like editing functions.php in the theme editor) can completely crash your site with a fatal PHP error. When that happens you often:

  • Can't load the frontend
  • Can't log into /wp-admin
  • Only have HTTP access, not FTP/SFTP

This plugin lets you prepare for that situation before it happens.

It creates a script in your WordPress root (by default emergency-file-replacer.php) that:

  • Does not load WordPress – so it keeps working even if WP, your theme or a plugin is broken
  • Is protected by a password you choose in wp-admin
  • Lets you browse your WordPress install from the root down
  • Lets you replace any existing file with an uploaded file
  • Automatically creates a timestamped backup before overwriting

⚠️ Security warning
Anyone who knows the emergency URL and the password can overwrite files in your WordPress installation.
Use a strong password, only enable this temporarily, and delete the generated script when you're done.

Features

  • Simple settings page under Tools → Emergency File Replacer
  • Configurable emergency password stored in WordPress options
  • One-click generation of /emergency-file-replacer.php in the WP root
  • Optional deletion of the emergency script from the settings page
  • Standalone script:
    • Password-protected login (no WP dependencies)
    • Directory browser (root, wp-content, themes, plugins, etc.)
    • File replacement with backup

Installation

  1. Download the latest release zip (wp-emergency-file-replacer.zip).
  2. In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
  3. Upload the zip and activate WP Emergency File Replacer.

Or manually:


wp-content/
└── plugins/
    └── wp-emergency-file-replacer/
        ├── wp-emergency-file-replacer.php
        ├── readme.txt
        └── README.md