Running WordPress in a local OSX Dev environment.

Up until now I thought I either had to download and install updates manually, or set up an FTP server locally.

Whilst idly investigating setting up the OSX FTP server I found a much better alternative.

In case someone else is living in the same state of frustrated ignorance I reproduce the instructions here:

fix to allow WordPress automatic plugin installation/update:

A) Change the owner and permissions for the entire WordPress installation.

Assuming you installed WordPress in /Users/.username./Sites:

$ cd /Users/.username./Sites
$ sudo chown -R :_www wordpress
$ sudo chmod -R g+w wordpress


B) Add the following to /Users//Sites/wordpress/wp-config.php:


define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');

and henceforth you can auto-update your local test environment.

http://soderlind.no/archives/2011/08/26/running-wordpress-locally-on-mac-os-x-lion/