dbxapp Knowledge Installing dbxapp
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Installing dbxapp

On this page
  1. dbxapp securely installed
    1. Conditions
    2. Deploy the files and open the assistant
    3. The seven installation steps
    4. DB3 or PDO?
    5. Immediately after installation
    6. If the installation does not continue
    7. Further instructions

Operation & Security · Initial installation

dbxapp securely installed

The dbxapp installation assistant guides you through seven controlled steps, from the system check to the first sign-in. It separates the delivered code from local access data and changes database structures only after successful validation.

Reviewed for dbxapp 4.5.3Requirements, assistant, DB3/server paths, permissions, email, and acceptance were revalidated against the released build on August 22, 2026.
Before you begin Create a backup, use an empty destination directory and have a personal admin password ready. Access data never belongs in a public release or repository.

Conditions

Mandatory conditions

  • Web server with PHP 8.2 or later.
  • The PHP extensions Session, PDO, JSON, Filter, Hash and OpenSSL.
  • Write permissions of the web server for the local configuration and the directories files and tmp.
  • Installed component dependencies or the file supplied with the package vendor/autoload.php.
  • For the selected database destination, the appropriate PDO driver.

Recommended extensions

For image processing and media analysis, GD and Fileinfo are recommended. The assistant shows mandatory checks and recommendations separately. A missing mandatory requirement blocks the next step; an optional recommendation can be addressed later.

Deploy the files and open the assistant

  1. Unpack the releaseUnpack the full package into your own web directory. Do not mix it with an older installation.
  2. Check the document rootThe web server must point to the directory containing index.php. HTTPS is highly recommended for production installations.
  3. Configure write permissionsThe web server requires write access to dbx/modules/dbx/cfg/config.local.php, files and tmp; the remaining source code should only be readable.
  4. Open the homepageA new installation has the installation counter install = 1 and automatically redirects to the assistant.

The seven installation steps

  1. 1 · System testPHP version, mandatory and optional extensions, composer autoload and write permissions are checked. Red mandatory errors must first be corrected.
  2. 2 · Website & DesignSet page title, brand name, claim, standard language, time zone, and user and admin design.
  3. 3 · Data storageUse supplied DB3 databases, bind all DDs to a tested PDO target or retain existing per-DD bindings.
  4. 4 · Structures & DataDB3 is only checked for completeness. For a PDO target, schemas are synchronized only after successful connection; data transfer requires additional explicit confirmation.
  5. 5 · AdministrationAssign a personal password to the admin account. Both entries must match and contain uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, and a special character; twelve or more characters are recommended.
  6. 6 · EmailSet global mail mode, transport, SMTP data, visible sender, envelope sender and allowed sender domains. internal is the secure delivery state without sending messages over the network.
  7. 7 · Check and startReview the summary, which must not contain secrets and complete the installation. Only then write dbxapp locally install = 0.

DB3 or PDO?

DB3 · fastest entry

The supplied databases remain in their intended places. The assistant reads and checks them without importing domain data.

PDO · Central database server

MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL servers are supported. Connection, database system, schema structure and optional data transfer remain separate confirmation steps.

Mixed · decide per DD

Individual data definitions can lie on different DB3 or SQL targets. Changing a binding never automatically moves data.
Security boundary Server, SMTP, and other secrets are kept exclusively in non-versioned config.local.php files. Summary, logs and CMS documentation must not be included.

Immediately after installation

  1. With the user admin and the personal password assigned in step 5.
  2. Under System → System Self-Test, run the quick test first and then the complete test.
  3. Verify the design, default language, time zone, mail mode and database bindings in the admin area.
  4. Create a full backup of the local configuration, files and all bound databases.
  5. For production operation, set up HTTPS, restrictive file rights and an external backup storage.

If the installation does not continue

  • Assistant appears again and again: Write permissions and check the contents of dbx/modules/dbx/cfg/config.local.php. The installation is complete when install = 0 can be stored.
  • Database connection fails: Check the host, port, database name, PDO driver, and user permissions. Without a successful destination connection, no schema or data transfer starts.
  • Blank page or server error PHP version, extensions, vendor/autoload.php, web server log and files/dbxError.log check.
  • Admin registration fails: Do not bypass the assistant through direct database changes. Repeat step 5 with a new personal password.

Further instructions