Install on shared hosting
Updated
On this page
- Get a release zip. Download
tidemark-x.y.z.zipfrom the releases page. Dependencies are bundled. Building it yourself? Runscripts/build-release.sh x.y.zfrom the source repository, which writesdist/tidemark-x.y.z.zip. - Upload and unzip on your host with FTP or your control panel's file manager.
-
Set the document root. Point the domain's document root at the
public/folder.If your host won't let you, leave the files in the web root as they are. The bundled root
.htaccessforwards requests topublic/and blocks internal files. - Open
/install. The page checks the server, connects your database, runs the migrations and creates your administrator account. - Add a site and paste its snippet into your site's
<head>.
Keep the project folder out of the web root where you can:
Pointing the document root at public/ is the safest setup. It keeps .env, storage/ and your SQLite file out of reach of the web server entirely. The root .htaccess fallback blocks them on Apache; other servers need an equivalent rule.
Choosing a database
| Choice | When to use it |
|---|---|
| SQLite | Single site or a few, low to moderate traffic. No setup. |
| MySQL / MariaDB | The default on most shared hosts. Create a database and user in your control panel, then enter them in the installer. |
| PostgreSQL | If your host offers it. |
After installing
- Add the cron job if you use queued ingestion or retention.
- Set up backups.
- Secure your account with two-factor sign-in.
- Add teammates under People.
Other servers
Any server that can run PHP 8.3 and rewrite unknown paths to public/index.php works. The front controller rules are in public/.htaccess; for Nginx send everything that is not a file to index.php.
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