Installing ExpressionEngine

ExpressionEngine is a powerful web publishing platform and content management system (CMS). Unlike many other apps in Softaculous, ExpressionEngine requires manual installation on hosting accounts.

Why Use ExpressionEngine?

• Flexible CMS for blogs, e‑commerce, and enterprise sites.

• Supports custom templates, channels, and advanced publishing workflows.

• Strong developer community and plugin ecosystem.

Steps to Install ExpressionEngine (Manual)

1. Sign up for an ExpressionEngine account.

   • Visit ellislab.com or expressionengine.com to download the software.

   • Choose either the free version or the paid version for full features.

2. Download and Extract Files.

   • Download the .zip file to your local computer.

   • Extract its contents.

3. Upload Files to Hosting Account.

   • Use FTP or File Manager in cPanel to upload the extracted files to your public_html directory.

   • Alternatively, upload to a subdirectory (e.g., example.com/ee).

4. Create a MySQL Database.

   • In cPanel, use the MySQL Database Wizard to create a database and user.

   • Assign the user full privileges.

   • Note the database name, username, and password — you’ll need them during installation.

5. Set File Permissions.

   • Connect via SSH or use File Manager.

   • Run the following commands to set correct permissions:

     Bash
     
     cd ~/public_html
     find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
     find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
     

6. Run the Installation Wizard.

   • In your browser, go to http://yourdomain.com/admin.php.

   • The ExpressionEngine Installation and Update Wizard will appear.

   • Follow the prompts:

     • Accept license terms.

     • Enter webmaster email.

     • Provide database details (host: localhost, username, password, database name).

     • Create your admin account (username, password, email).

     • Set site name and theme (choose “None – Empty Installation” or “Agile Records” sample data).

7. Finalize Installation.

   • Click Install ExpressionEngine Core!

   • Once complete, you’ll see a success message.

   • Bookmark your control panel and site URLs.

8. Delete Installer Directory.

   • For security, remove the installer:

     Bash
     
     cd ~/public_html/system
     rm -rf installer
     

      

9. Log in to Control Panel.

   • Use the admin credentials you created to access the ExpressionEngine dashboard.