Installing AI PHP Apps

AI PHP Apps products are designed for self-hosted PHP and MySQL environments. If you have installed a PHP application before, the process will feel familiar. If this is your first self-hosted application, this guide explains not only what to do but why each step matters.

Before You Begin

Have the following available before starting:

• Your downloaded AI PHP Apps product package
• Access to your hosting control panel
• A domain, subdomain, or folder where the product will be installed
• File Manager, FTP, or SFTP access
• Permission to create a MySQL database and database user
• A supported PHP version and the required PHP extensions
• A valid SSL certificate
• Your OpenAI API credentials when the product requires them

Step 1: Decide Where the Application Will Live

You can typically install a self-hosted application in one of three places:

• A primary domain:https://example.com/
• A subdirectory:https://example.com/app/
• A subdomain:https://app.example.com/

A subdomain is often a clean choice for a business tool because it keeps the application separate from the main marketing website. A subdirectory can be convenient when everything should remain under one domain.

Whichever location you choose, make sure the domain or subdomain points to the directory where the application files will actually be stored.

Step 2: Upload the Application Files

Most hosting control panels include a File Manager. You can also use FTP or SFTP.

Using File Manager

1. Open the document root for the domain, subdomain, or folder you selected.
2. Upload the product ZIP package if your host supports archive extraction.
3. Extract the files into the intended directory.
4. Confirm that the application entry files are located directly where you expect them.

Avoid the Accidental Double-Folder Problem

A common installation mistake is extracting an archive and leaving the actual application inside an unnecessary extra directory.

For example, if you want the application at example.com/my-app/, this may be wrong:

public_html/my-app/my-app/index.php

while this is typically the intended structure:

public_html/my-app/index.php

If opening the expected URL produces a directory listing, 404 error, or the wrong page, verify the folder structure before changing code.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database

Your application stores persistent information in MySQL. Hosting control panels use different labels, but the process usually has four parts:

1. Create a new database.
2. Create a database user.
3. Assign that user to the database.
4. Grant the user the permissions required by the application.

Save the following information:

• Database host
• Database name
• Database username
• Database password

Step 4: Prepare the Application Configuration

Depending on the product version, installation may ask you for database information through an installer or require you to create or edit a configuration file.

Enter the database values exactly as provided by the host.

What the Database Fields Mean

• Database host: the server where MySQL runs. Often localhost, but not always.
• Database name: the database created for this application.
• Database user: the MySQL user assigned to the database.
• Database password: the password for that MySQL user.

Do not guess the database host. If your provider gives you a specific hostname, use it.

Step 5: Run the Installer

Open the installation URL provided with your product. For releases that include the standard installer, this is typically the application's installation entry point.

The installer may verify items such as:

• PHP version
• Required PHP extensions
• Database connection
• Database setup or migrations
• Application configuration
• Initial administrator account

Read any installer warning rather than clicking through it automatically. A failed requirement is easier to fix before the application contains important data.

Step 6: Configure Your OpenAI API Access

After the base application is installed, add the OpenAI API credential through the product settings when required.

If this is your first time configuring the OpenAI API, use the OpenAI API Key Setup guide. It explains API billing, keys, security, and first-connection testing.

Step 7: Test the Application

Do not consider the installation complete just because the dashboard loads.

Perform a real but small test of the product's primary function. For an AI-assisted tool, submit a simple request and verify that a valid response is returned.

Depending on the product, also test:

• Signing in and signing out
• Creating or saving a record
• Editing a record
• Email delivery, if used
• File upload and download, if used
• Scheduled tasks, if used

Step 8: Verify HTTPS

Open the final application URL with https:// and verify that the browser reports a valid secure connection.

If both HTTP and HTTPS versions are accessible, configure your hosting environment so normal visitors are directed to HTTPS.

Step 9: Review Post-Installation Security

After installation:

• Use a strong administrator password.
• Protect configuration files from public access.
• Confirm the application is not exposing API keys or database credentials.
• Remove or disable installation components when the product documentation instructs you to do so.
• Enable two-factor authentication on the hosting account if available.

Step 10: Create Your First Backup

Once the application is installed and tested, create a known-good backup of both the application files and the MySQL database.

This gives you a clean recovery point before you begin accumulating important business data or making custom changes.

Common Installation Problems

When You See an Error, Preserve the Exact Message

The exact error message is usually far more useful than a description such as "it doesn't work." Save the message, page URL, and what you were doing when it appeared.

Do not post passwords, database credentials, API keys, or other secrets when asking for help.

Installation Checklist

• Correct domain/subdomain and document root
• Application files in the correct directory
• MySQL database created
• Database user created and assigned
• Configuration saved correctly
• Installer completed without unresolved errors
• Administrator login tested
• OpenAI API connection tested
• Primary product workflow tested
• HTTPS working
• Initial backup created

Next Step

If your installation is complete but an AI request returns an error, continue with Common OpenAI Errors.