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Create Media

Uploads a media file to the WordPress media library, making it available for use in posts, pages, and as featured images.

Common Properties​

  • Name - The custom name of the node.
  • Color - The custom color of the node.
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.
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If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed, even if a Catch node is used.

Inputs​

  • Client Id - The client ID from the Connect node (optional if using direct credentials).
  • File Path - Local file path of the media to upload (e.g., "/path/to/image.jpg").
  • File Name - Name for the file in WordPress media library (e.g., "product-image.jpg").

Options​

  • Content Type - MIME type of the file. Options:
    • default - Auto-detect content type (recommended)
    • text/plain - Plain text files
    • text/html - HTML files
    • text/css - CSS stylesheets
    • image/jpeg - JPEG images
    • image/png - PNG images
    • image/svg+xml - SVG images
    • audio/mp4 - MP4 audio files
    • video/mp4 - MP4 video files
    • application/javascript - JavaScript files
    • application/pdf - PDF documents
    • application/zip - ZIP archives
    • application/atom+xml - Atom feeds
    • application/json - JSON files
  • Site URL - (Optional) WordPress site URL. Use this if you want to authenticate directly without a Connect node.
  • Credentials - (Optional) WordPress username and application password. Use this if you want to authenticate directly without a Connect node.

Output​

  • Media - The complete media object returned from WordPress, including the media ID, URL, dimensions, and all metadata.

How It Works​

The Create Media node uploads a file to the WordPress media library using the WordPress REST API.

When executed, the node:

  1. Retrieves the authentication (either from Client Id or direct credentials)
  2. Reads the file from the specified local path
  3. Validates the file path and file name
  4. Sends a POST request to /wp-json/wp/v2/media endpoint with the file data
  5. Sets the appropriate Content-Type header
  6. Returns the created media object with URLs and metadata

Authentication Methods​

Connect → Store Client Id → Create Media (use Client Id)

Method 2: Direct Credentials​

Provide both Site URL and Credentials directly in the node options.

Requirements​

  • A WordPress site with REST API enabled (WordPress 4.7+)
  • Appropriate user permissions (author role or higher to upload media)
  • Valid local file path with read permissions
  • Supported file type (check WordPress media settings)
  • File size within WordPress upload limits

Supported File Types​

Common supported file types:

  • Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, WebP
  • Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX
  • Audio: MP3, M4A, OGG, WAV
  • Video: MP4, M4V, MOV, WMV, AVI
  • Archives: ZIP
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Actual supported file types depend on your WordPress configuration and may be restricted for security reasons.

Error Handling​

The node will return specific errors in the following cases:

  • Missing or empty File Path
  • Missing or empty File Name
  • File not found at specified path
  • File read permission denied
  • Unsupported file type
  • File size exceeds WordPress upload limit
  • Authentication failure
  • Insufficient permissions to upload media
  • Network connection errors
  • WordPress REST API disabled

Usage Notes​

  • The File Path must be a valid local file system path
  • File Name determines how the file appears in the WordPress media library
  • Using "default" content type allows WordPress to auto-detect the file type
  • The returned media object includes multiple image sizes for images
  • Media files are immediately available after upload
  • The media ID can be used as featured_media in posts
  • WordPress may generate thumbnail and other sizes for images

Media Object Structure​

The returned Media object includes:

  • id - Unique media ID (use this for featured images)
  • date - Upload date
  • slug - URL-friendly identifier
  • type - Media type (attachment)
  • link - Public URL to the attachment page
  • title - Media title object
  • author - Uploader user ID
  • mime_type - MIME type of the file
  • media_type - Category (image, video, audio, file)
  • source_url - Direct URL to the file
  • media_details - Detailed metadata (dimensions, file size, etc.)
  • alt_text - Alternative text for images

Example: Upload Image​

Inputs:

  • File Path: "/home/user/downloads/product.jpg"
  • File Name: "product-image.jpg"

Options:

  • Content Type: default (or image/jpeg)

Output - Media:

{
  "id": 789,
  "date": "2024-01-15T10:30:00",
  "slug": "product-image",
  "type": "attachment",
  "link": "https://yoursite.com/product-image/",
  "title": {
    "rendered": "product-image"
  },
  "mime_type": "image/jpeg",
  "media_type": "image",
  "source_url": "https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/product-image.jpg",
  "media_details": {
    "width": 1920,
    "height": 1080,
    "file": "2024/01/product-image.jpg",
    "sizes": {
      "thumbnail": {
        "file": "product-image-150x150.jpg",
        "width": 150,
        "height": 150,
        "source_url": "https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/product-image-150x150.jpg"
      },
      "medium": {
        "file": "product-image-300x169.jpg",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 169,
        "source_url": "https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/product-image-300x169.jpg"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example: Upload PDF Document​

Inputs:

  • File Path: "/data/reports/monthly-report.pdf"
  • File Name: "january-2024-report.pdf"

Options:

  • Content Type: application/pdf

Workflow:

1. Create Media
   - File Path: "/images/hero.jpg"
   - File Name: "hero-image.jpg"
   - Store media.id → featured_image_id

2. Create Post
   - Post object:
     {
       "title": "New Product Launch",
       "content": "...",
       "featured_media": featured_image_id
     }

Common Use Cases​

  • Upload images for use as featured images in posts
  • Automatically set featured images during content creation
  • Batch upload and assign featured images

Content Media​

  • Upload images to embed in post content
  • Add galleries to posts
  • Include downloadable resources (PDFs, documents)

Automated Asset Management​

  • Upload images from external sources
  • Process and upload generated graphics
  • Import media from other systems

Bulk Media Upload​

  • Upload multiple files from a folder
  • Migrate media from another CMS
  • Batch process and upload images

Dynamic Media Creation​

  • Generate images programmatically
  • Create and upload QR codes
  • Generate and upload charts/graphs

Best Practices​

  • Always use absolute file paths
  • Verify file exists before attempting upload
  • Use descriptive file names (good for SEO)
  • Let WordPress auto-detect content type when possible
  • Store the returned media ID for later use
  • Check file size before upload
  • Optimize images before uploading
  • Use appropriate file formats (JPG for photos, PNG for graphics)
  • Handle upload errors appropriately
  • Clean up local files after successful upload if needed

Image Optimization Tips​

Before uploading images:

  • Resize to appropriate dimensions
  • Compress to reduce file size
  • Use appropriate format (JPG, PNG, WebP)
  • Strip unnecessary metadata
  • Consider using image optimization nodes before upload

Working with Media IDs​

After uploading media, use the ID for:

{
  "title": "Post Title",
  "content": "Content...",
  "featured_media": 789
}

In Post Content​

<img src="https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.jpg" />
{
  "gallery_ids": [789, 790, 791]
}

File Path Examples​

Windows​

C:\\Users\\username\\Pictures\\image.jpg
D:\\Projects\\website\\assets\\logo.png

Linux/Mac​

/home/user/images/photo.jpg
/var/data/documents/report.pdf

Relative to Robot​

./downloads/image.jpg
../assets/logo.png

Troubleshooting​

Error: "File path cannot be empty"

  • Ensure File Path input is provided
  • Verify the variable contains a valid path

Error: File not found

  • Check the file path is correct
  • Verify the file exists at that location
  • Ensure proper path separators (/ or \)
  • Check file permissions

Error: "File name cannot be empty"

  • Provide a File Name value
  • Include file extension in the name

Upload fails with large files:

  • Check WordPress upload size limit (wp-config.php, php.ini)
  • Compress or resize the file
  • Increase upload limits if you have server access

Wrong content type:

  • Use "default" to let WordPress detect
  • Ensure content type matches actual file type
  • Check WordPress allowed file types

Content Type Selection​

When to specify content type:

  • Use "default" - For most cases (recommended)
  • Specify type - When default detection fails
  • Rare cases - WordPress incorrectly identifies the file

Performance Considerations​

  • Large files take longer to upload
  • Image processing (thumbnail generation) adds time
  • Multiple uploads should be done sequentially to avoid memory issues
  • Consider upload limits and timeouts for very large files
  • Network speed affects upload time

Security Considerations​

  • WordPress validates file types for security
  • Some file types are blocked by default (exe, php, etc.)
  • SVG files may be restricted due to XSS risks
  • Always upload from trusted sources
  • Validate file contents before upload
  • Use appropriate user permissions

Media Library Organization​

After upload:

  • Media appears in WordPress Media Library
  • Organized by upload date
  • Can be categorized using media categories (if plugin installed)
  • Searchable by filename
  • Can be edited in WordPress admin

Integration Examples​

Download and Upload External Image​

1. HTTP Request to download image → Save to local file
2. Create Media
   - File Path: downloaded file path
   - File Name: "external-image.jpg"
3. Store media.id
4. Delete local file (cleanup)

Bulk Upload from Folder​

1. List files in folder → Get file list
2. For each file:
   - Create Media
     - File Path: current file path
     - File Name: current file name
   - Store media ID and filename mapping
3. Generate upload report

Upload and Embed in Post​

1. Create Media → Store media.source_url
2. Build post content with image:
   content = `<img src="${media.source_url}" alt="description" />`
3. Create Post with embedded image