# Install phpVMS manually, step by step

https://vmshost.io/kb/a/install-phpvms-manually

This guide installs phpVMS 7 on your vmshost hosting by hand, on a subdomain such as `crew.yourva.com`. You do every step in the client area. You don't need to open cPanel.

If you'd rather not do it by hand, the automated installer does all of this for you. See [Install phpVMS with the installer](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/setting-up-phpvms).

## Before you start

- phpVMS 7 needs PHP 8.1 or later. See [Change your PHP version and settings](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/change-your-php-version-and-settings).
- Go to **Services**, open your hosting plan, and select the **Management** tab. Every tool in this guide is there.

## 1. Download phpVMS

Go to the [phpVMS releases page](https://github.com/phpvms/phpvms/releases). Under **Assets** for the latest release, download the `.zip` file, for example `phpvms-7.0.10.zip`.

**Don't download "Source code".** It doesn't include the `vendor` folder, and phpVMS won't run without it.

## 2. Put the files in a folder

1. On the Management tab, click **File Manager**. It opens in your home folder.
2. Click **New Folder** and name it after your subdomain, for example `crew.yourva.com`. Create it here in the home folder, next to `public_html`, not inside it.
3. Open the new folder and click **Upload**. Upload the phpVMS `.zip` file.
4. Select the `.zip` file and click **Extract**, the last button in the toolbar. The toolbar buttons only work when a file is selected.
5. When the files are extracted, delete the `.zip` file.

The folder now contains `app`, `config`, `public`, `storage` and the other phpVMS folders:

You can also upload the files with SFTP. See [Uploading files: File Manager and FTP](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/uploading-files-file-manager-and-ftp).

## 3. Create the subdomain

1. On the Management tab, click **Subdomains**, then **Create Subdomain**.
2. Type the subdomain (for example `crew`) and select your domain.
3. In **Document Root**, type the folder from step 2 followed by `/public`, for example `crew.yourva.com/public`.
4. Click **Create Subdomain**.

**Don't leave Document Root blank.** A blank document root points the subdomain at a folder inside `public_html`, and phpVMS won't load. The document root must be the `public` folder. Only that folder should be reachable from the web, so your `.env` file and the rest of phpVMS stay private.

If your domain uses our nameservers, the subdomain works right away. If your DNS is somewhere else, add an `A` record for the subdomain that points to your server's IP address, shown on the **Overview** tab.

## 4. Create the database

1. On the Management tab, click **Manage Databases**, then **Create Database**.
2. Type a database name and a username, for example `phpvms` for both.
3. Type a strong password, or click the key button to make one. Write the password down.
4. Leave **Privileges** set to **All Privileges** and click **Create Database**.

Your account name is added to the front of the database name and the username, for example `youruser_phpvms`. You need the full names in the next step.

## 5. Run the installer

1. Go to your subdomain in a browser. You see "phpVMS Not Installed". Click the button to open the installer.
2. The installer checks the PHP version, PHP extensions and folder permissions. All of them must pass before you can continue.
3. On the database page, select **MySQL** and enter your site name and URL. Enter the full database name, username and password from step 4. The database host is `localhost`. Click **Test Database Credentials**, then **Setup Database**.
4. Enter your airline's details and the first user. This user is an admin.
5. When the installer finishes, click through to sign in. Your dashboard opens, and phpVMS is installed.

## Next steps

- [Set up the cron job](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/set-up-the-phpvms-cron-job). Emails, notifications and finances need it.
- [Configure email](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/configuring-email).

If you get a "404 Not Found" page instead of the installer, see [Fix installer 404 and permission errors](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/fix-installer-404-and-permission-errors).