Installing PrestaShop manually

PrestaShop is a powerful open‑source eCommerce platform. While Softaculous can automate installation, you may sometimes need to install it manually — for example, if you want a specific version or are working on an unmanaged server.

Why Install PrestaShop Manually?

• Greater control over version selection.

• Works on unmanaged servers without cPanel/Softaculous.

• Useful for developers who want custom setups.

Steps to Install PrestaShop Manually

1. Download PrestaShop.

   • Visit prestashop.com/download.

   • Download the latest .zip file to your computer.

2. Extract Files.

   • Unzip the downloaded package locally.

   • The extracted folder will contain PrestaShop installation files.

3. Upload Files to Your Hosting Account.

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

   • Place them in the public_html directory if you want PrestaShop at the root (e.g., example.com).

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

   • On unmanaged servers, the document root may be /var/www/html.

4. Create a MySQL Database and User.

   • In cPanel at ruachost.com, use the MySQL Database Wizard.

   • Create a database and user, then assign full privileges.

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

5. Run the Installer.

   • In your browser, go to the installation URL:

     • If installed in root → http://example.com/install

     • If installed in a subdirectory → http://example.com/shop/install

   • Select your language and click Next.

   • Accept the license agreement and continue.

6. Configure Store Information.

   • Enter your Store Name, Main Activity, and Country.

   • Create an Administrator Account with username, password, and email.

7. Configure Database Settings.

   • Enter the database details you created:

     • Database Name → your database name

     • Login → your database user

     • Password → your database password

     • Database Server → localhost

   • Click Test your database connection now!

   • If successful, click Next to continue.

8. Complete Installation.

   • The installer will create database tables and configure settings.

   • ⚠️ Important: Do not interrupt this process.

9. Delete Installation Folder.

   • For security reasons, delete the /install folder after installation:

     Bash
     
     rm -rf /var/www/html/install/
     

      

      

   • Replace /var/www/html with your actual document root.

10. Log In to PrestaShop.

    • Go to:

      http://example.com/adminxxxx
      

    • PrestaShop automatically renames the admin folder with a random 4‑digit number (e.g., admin1234).

    • Use the admin credentials you created to log in.