# Set up phpVMS on a subdomain

https://vmshost.io/kb/a/setting-up-phpvms-on-a-subdomain

A subdomain, such as `crew.yourva.com`, is the easiest place to run phpVMS. Your main domain stays free for a landing page or a website, and phpVMS gets its own space.

## 1. Create a folder for phpVMS

In File Manager, create a folder in your home folder with the name of the subdomain, for example `crew.yourva.com`. Put it next to `public_html`, not inside it:

```
/home/youruser
  crew.yourva.com   <- extract phpVMS into here
  public_ftp
  public_html
```

## 2. Extract phpVMS into it

Upload the phpVMS package and extract it into the new folder. The folder then contains `app`, `config`, `public`, `storage` and the other phpVMS folders:

## 3. Create the subdomain

1. Open your hosting plan in the client area. On the **Management** tab, click **Subdomains**.
2. Type the subdomain (for example `crew`) and select your domain.
3. In **Document Root**, type the folder from step 1 followed by `/public`, for example `crew.yourva.com/public`. Don't leave it blank: a blank document root points the subdomain at a folder inside `public_html`.
4. Click **Create Subdomain**.

The document root must be the `public` folder. Only that folder should be reachable from the web. 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. The IP address is on the **Overview** tab of your hosting plan.

## 4. Run the installer

Go to the subdomain in your browser and follow step 3 onwards of [Install phpVMS manually](https://vmshost.io/knowledgebase/article/install-phpvms-manually).