# Installing phpMyChat manually

> Add real-time chat rooms to your website by installing the phpMyChat application by hand on your hosting account.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/apps/manual-installations/installing-phpmychat-manually/

**phpMyChat** is a web‑based chat application written in PHP that allows real‑time communication between users. It’s lightweight, customizable, and can be installed on any standard PHP/MySQL hosting account. phpMyChat requires **manual installation** on your hosting account.

## Why Use phpMyChat?

- Provides real‑time chat rooms for your website.
- Supports multiple languages and themes.
- Easy to configure and extend with plugins.
- Compatible with all **ruachost.com** hosting accounts.

## Steps to Install phpMyChat (Manual)

1. **Create a MySQL Database.**

   - Log in to cPanel at **ruachost.com**.
   - Use the **MySQL Database Wizard** to create a database and user.
   - Assign full privileges to the user.
   - Note the database name, username, and password.
2. **Download phpMyChat.**

   - Visit the official project page: phpMyChat on SourceForge.
   - Download the latest `.zip` file (e.g., `phpMyChat-Plus_1.94-RC3.zip`).
3. **Upload Files to Your Hosting Account.**

   - Use FTP or File Manager in cPanel to upload the `.zip` file to your `public_html` directory.
   - Alternatively, upload to a subdirectory (e.g., `example.com/chat`).
4. **Extract Files.**

   - Log in via SSH or use File Manager.
   - Navigate to the directory where you uploaded the file.
   - Run:

     ```bash
     unzip phpMyChat-Plus_1.94-RC3.zip
     ```
   - The files will be extracted into a `plus` directory.
5. **Configure Database Settings.**

   - Open `plus/config/config.lib.php` in a text editor.
   - Update the following lines with your database details:

     ```
     define("C_DB_NAME", 'your_db_name');
     define("C_DB_USER", 'your_db_user');
     define("C_DB_PASS", 'your_db_password');
     ```
   - Save and close the file.
6. **Populate the Database.**

   - At the command prompt, run:

     ```bash
     cd ~/public_html/plus/install/manual\ installation/database/
     mysql -u DBUSERNAME -p DBNAME < mysql_new_install.txt
     ```
   - Replace `DBUSERNAME` and `DBNAME` with the database user and name you created.
   - This will create all required tables.
7. **Remove Installer Files.**

   - For security, delete the installer file:

     ```bash
     rm ~/public_html/plus/install/install.php
     ```
8. **Access phpMyChat.**

   - In your browser, go to `http://example.com/plus`.
   - The login page will appear.
   - Default administrator credentials:

     - **Username:** `admin`
     - **Password:** `admin`
   - Log in and configure phpMyChat using the web interface.

> **Note:**
- phpMyChat is compatible with all **ruachost.com** accounts.
- Always change the default admin password immediately.
- Keep phpMyChat updated to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Consider enabling automatic backups for added protection.