Installation via cPanel/Unpacking and General Questions

Lusca

I've been following the project for a while and I think the work done so far is very impressive.

I'm wanting to use Flarum in a project I'm starting soon and I want to use web hosting for it.

Reading the installation page, I saw that it's possible to install without SSH by unpacking the files on the hosting. However, I see several mentions of Composer and SSH command lines in the documentation pages.

That being said, I have a few questions.

Do I necessarily need to use SSH/Composer, or can I do everything via unpacking without any future concerns?
If in the future I want to use SSH/Composer (I intend to learn more about it) for an unpacking installation, will I be able to do so?
What should I consider when choosing a hosting service, besides the information already provided in the documentation?
If I do an unpacking installation, can I modify the code and create extensions simply by editing it on my computer and transferring it via FTP?

I would like to thank you in advance for all the help provided and congratulate you on the excellent work you do. I'm excited to participate and contribute to this wonderful project.

GreXXL

Lusca Do I necessarily need to use SSH/Composer, or can I do everything via unpacking without any future concerns?

You can install Flarum without SSH access by using one of our archives (https://docs.flarum.org/install#installing-by-unpacking-an-archive). We recommend you still have access to SSH in case you run into any trouble with the shipped extension manager. There are many shared hosting providers offering SSH access so you can use composer.

Lusca If in the future I want to use SSH/Composer (I intend to learn more about it) for an unpacking installation, will I be able to do so?

Yes, definitly.

Lusca What should I consider when choosing a hosting service, besides the information already provided in the documentation?

We recommend choosing a provider offering SSH access which allows you to have access to composer and thus gives you every tool you need.

Lusca If I do an unpacking installation, can I modify the code and create extensions simply by editing it on my computer and transferring it via FTP?

Extenions do not require you to do code modifications. You will be able to add / remove extensions either via extension manager or composer.

Lusca

GreXXL Thanks for this.

About the last question, this extension manager its like a plugin manager from Wordpress that I code the extension and upload directly in admin panel?

Lusca

Another question:

I've noticed some people create extensions and post installation tutorials using only Composer. Is it possible to install these extensions without using it?

GreXXL

Lusca About the last question, this extension manager its like a plugin manager from Wordpress that I code the extension and upload directly in admin panel?

Yes, Extension Manager offers a userinterface in the admin area that allows you to add / remove all extensions listed on https://flarum.org/extensions?tableSortColumn=downloads&tableSortDirection=desc. Developing extensions on your own is more diffiucult but there is good documentation available: https://docs.flarum.org/extend

Lusca I've noticed some people create extensions and post installation tutorials using only Composer. Is it possible to install these extensions without using it?

Yes, all extensions are available via extension manager. Some require additional configuration on the webserver and might require you to have access on system level. (eg. Redis) This won't be possible on most shared hosting providers.

KBExit

Just whatever you do, don't opt in for the Softaculous Flarum Installation. They expose the vulnerable directories for the world to see.

ernestdefoe

KBExit I second this.

Forogramero

Easiest way to install Flarum is via SSH/Composer. Believe me. Will make your life very easy.

ikkeT

I ended up starting small recently at smallest hetzner web hosting which has no ssh. It all works from the zip install using sftp to put it there. But I ended up wanting to do more. There is only 1 cron available, so I ended up putting script into cron that runs every minute for the job queue. If I randomly need to do other commands, I tweak the cron script to run them.

Normally the extension manager is enough. I just thought to share this trick if anyone finds it useful.

It's a poor choise, but gets job done. Flarum can be run on so many ways, it's very handy.