---
title: WordPress Core Version
description: Reference for pinning an Autoscale environment to a major WordPress version using the wordpress_core_version field in composer.json.
url: https://developers.wpengine.com/docs/managed-hosting-platform/autoscale/wordpress-version/
image: https://developers.wpengine.com/og/docs/managed-hosting-platform/autoscale/wordpress-version.png
---

# WordPress Core Version

WP Engine manages WordPress core on Autoscale and chooses the version by default. To hold an environment on a particular major version, pin it from your repository.

## Pinning a version

Add `extra.wpengine.wordpress_core_version` to the `composer.json` at the root of your repository:

composer.json

```json
{
  "extra": {
    "wpengine": {
      "wordpress_core_version": "6.9"
    }
  }
}
```

The value is read at build time, so a change takes effect on your next deployment.

## Rules

| Rule                        | Detail                                                                                                        |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Major versions only         | Use `"6.9"` or `"7.0"`. A patch-level value such as `"6.9.4"` is not valid.                                   |
| Patch updates still apply   | WP Engine applies security and patch releases within the major version you pin.                               |
| Omitting the field opts out | An absent or empty value means the platform default.                                                          |
| Three majors are supported  | Generally the last three major versions. Contact WP Engine Support if you need something outside that window. |

> **Composer is for your local workflow**
>
> Autoscale reads `composer.json` for this setting, but the build does not run `composer install`. Use Composer locally to manage themes and plugins, then commit the installed files. The [Pipelines starter template](https://github.com/wpengine/pipelines-site-template) is set up this way.

## Core files

- Core is mounted by the platform. `wp-admin/`, `wp-includes/`, and `wp-config.php` in your repository are ignored.
- Core updates from WP Admin are disabled. See [WordPress Constants](https://developers.wpengine.com/docs/managed-hosting-platform/autoscale/constants) for the constants that enforce this.

> #### Related Content
>
> - [WordPress Constants](https://developers.wpengine.com/docs/managed-hosting-platform/autoscale/constants)
> - [WordPress on Autoscale](https://developers.wpengine.com/docs/managed-hosting-platform/autoscale/wordpress)
> - [Pipelines Overview](https://developers.wpengine.com/docs/managed-hosting-platform/pipelines)

## Was this helpful?

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