Installation Wizard (install.php)

MangaReader Pro includes a browser-based install.php configuration wizard that handles the entire setup process for you — no terminal or command-line knowledge required.

How to Launch the Installer

Upload all MangaReader Pro files to your server via FTP, File Manager, or cPanel
Open your browser and navigate to:

https://your-domain.com/install.php

The wizard will automatically launch and guide you through every step.

> [!TIP] The install wizard is designed for users of all technical levels. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 1 — Pre-flight Check

The wizard automatically checks your server environment:

PHP version (8.1+ required)
Required PHP extensions (BCMath, Ctype, Mbstring, OpenSSL, PDO, etc.)
File and folder permissions (storage/, bootstrap/cache/)
Disk space availability

If anything is missing, the wizard shows exactly what needs to be fixed with clear instructions.

> [!WARNING] Do not proceed until all checks show a green checkmark. Contact your hosting provider if you need help enabling PHP extensions.

Step 2 — Database Configuration

Enter your database credentials in the form:

Database Host — Usually localhost or 127.0.0.1
Database Port — Default 3306 for MySQL
Database Name — Create this in advance via cPanel or phpMyAdmin
Database Username — Your MySQL user
Database Password — Your MySQL password

The wizard will test the connection instantly and show a success or error message.

> [!NOTE] On cPanel hosting, your database name is usually prefixed with your cPanel username, e.g. cpaneluser_mangareader.

Step 3 — Site Configuration

Configure your site settings:

Site Name — Your manga site name (e.g., MangaVerse)
Site URL — Full URL including https://
Admin Email — Used for system notifications and password recovery
Timezone — Select your local timezone

Step 4 — Admin Account

Create your administrator account:

Admin Name — Your display name
Admin Email — Login email
Admin Password — Minimum 8 characters (strong password recommended)

> [!TIP] Save these credentials in a safe place — you will need them to access the admin panel.

Step 5 — Installation

Click Install Now and the wizard will:

Generate your application encryption key
Run all database migrations (create tables)
Seed default data (roles, settings, demo content)
Create the admin account
Set proper file permissions
Optimize configuration for production

This usually takes 30-60 seconds depending on your server.

Step 6 — Complete

After installation, the wizard shows links to:

Frontend — your-domain.com
Admin Panel — your-domain.com/admin
Login — Use the admin credentials you just created

> [!WARNING] For security, delete the install.php file immediately after installation. Leaving it accessible is a security risk.

rm public/install.php

Or delete it via your FTP client or File Manager.

Troubleshooting the Wizard

Wizard shows a blank page?

Check that PHP 8.1+ is active on your hosting
Make sure display_errors is enabled temporarily

Database connection failed?

Double-check credentials in your hosting panel
Ensure the database user has ALL PRIVILEGES on the database
Try 127.0.0.1 instead of localhost

Permission errors?

Set storage/ and bootstrap/cache/ to permission 775
On cPanel, use File Manager then Permissions

> [!TIP] If you prefer manual setup via the command line, see the Advanced Installation guide instead.