WordPress slugs and 404 handling takes preference over folders in site root?
For beta testing use either a separate domain or at least a subdomain in another directory than your live site. If you absolutely have to use the current setup install a plugin that offers password protection like Members or change the .htaccess rules to: <IfModule mod_rewrite.c> RewriteEngine On RewriteBase / RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L] # … Read more