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Installing PrestaShop manually

PrestaShop is a powerful open‑source eCommerce platform. While Softaculous can automate installation, you may sometimes need to install it manually — for example, if you want a specific version or are working on an unmanaged server.

Why Install PrestaShop Manually?

Section titled “Why Install PrestaShop Manually?”
  • Greater control over version selection.
  • Works on unmanaged servers without cPanel/Softaculous.
  • Useful for developers who want custom setups.

Steps to Install PrestaShop Manually

Section titled “Steps to Install PrestaShop Manually”

  1. Download PrestaShop.

    • Visit prestashop.com/download.
    • Download the latest .zip file to your computer.

  2. Extract Files.

    • Unzip the downloaded package locally.
    • The extracted folder will contain PrestaShop installation files.

  3. Upload Files to Your Hosting Account.

    • Use FTP or File Manager in cPanel to upload the extracted files.
    • Place them in the public_html directory if you want PrestaShop at the root (e.g., example.com).
    • Alternatively, upload to a subdirectory (e.g., example.com/shop).
    • On unmanaged servers, the document root may be /var/www/html.

  4. Create a MySQL Database and User.

    • In cPanel at ruachost.com, use the MySQL Database Wizard.
    • Create a database and user, then assign full privileges.
    • Note the database name, username, and password — you’ll need them during installation.

  5. Run the Installer.

    • In your browser, go to the installation URL:

      • If installed in root → http://example.com/install
      • If installed in a subdirectory → http://example.com/shop/install

    • Select your language and click Next.

    • Accept the license agreement and continue.

  6. Configure Store Information.

    • Enter your Store Name, Main Activity, and Country.
    • Create an Administrator Account with username, password, and email.

  7. Configure Database Settings.

    • Enter the database details you created:

      • Database Name → your database name
      • Login → your database user
      • Password → your database password
      • Database Server → localhost

    • Click Test your database connection now!

    • If successful, click Next to continue.

  8. Complete Installation.

    • The installer will create database tables and configure settings.
    • ⚠️ Important: Do not interrupt this process.

  9. Delete Installation Folder.

    • For security reasons, delete the /install folder after installation:

      Terminal window
      rm -rf /var/www/html/install/

    • Replace /var/www/html with your actual document root.

  10. Log In to PrestaShop.

    • Go to:

      http://example.com/adminxxxx

    • PrestaShop automatically renames the admin folder with a random 4‑digit number (e.g., admin1234).

    • Use the admin credentials you created to log in.