About this plugin
Bromate Remote Media Bridge helps WordPress installations share the same database across multiple environments without requiring a full copy of the uploads directory.
Instead of synchronizing gigabytes of media files between environments, the plugin allows WordPress to use a remote uploads directory while keeping the local media library structure intact.
The plugin can:
- Rewrite attachment URLs generated by WordPress.
- Rewrite responsive image URLs in srcset attributes.
- Redirect media requests to a remote uploads directory.
- Progressively cache remote media files locally while visitors browse your site.
- Reduce deployment complexity for large media libraries.
This is particularly useful for:
- Local development environments using a production database.
- Staging and pre-production environments.
- WordPress redesign and migration projects.
- Large sites where synchronizing the entire uploads directory is impractical.
- Long-running projects where the production media library changes frequently.
Example
A local site generates:
jpg
Bromate Remote Media Bridge rewrites it to:
jpg
When “Download while navigating” is enabled, the file may also be downloaded automatically and stored locally the first time it is requested.
This creates a progressively warmed local media cache containing only the files that have actually been viewed.
Features
- Rewrite WordPress attachment URLs.
- Rewrite responsive image URLs (srcset).
- Redirect direct media requests.
- Progressive local media caching while browsing.
- Automatic local storage of viewed remote media files.
- Excluded URL support.
- Environment-specific configuration through constants.
- Optional debug logging.
- No custom database tables.
- No front-end assets.
- Works with shared databases across development, staging and production environments.
Configuration
The remote uploads URL should point directly to the uploads directory of the environment containing the media files.
Example:
com/wp-content/uploads
php:
define( 'BROMATE_REMOTE_MEDIA_BRIDGE_ENABLED', true );
com/wp-content/uploads' );
define( 'BROMATE_REMOTE_MEDIA_BRIDGE_DOWNLOAD_WHILE_NAVIGATING', true );
define( 'BROMATE_REMOTE_MEDIA_BRIDGE_DEBUG', false );
Constants take precedence over saved settings.