Get Started with ChurchCRM

Database User Permissions

The database user you create must have the following permissions for ChurchCRM to function properly:

• CREATE: To create tables and indexes
• ALTER: To modify table structures during updates
• SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE: To read and write data
• EXECUTE: To run stored procedures
• CREATE VIEW: To create database views

Tip: In cPanel, selecting "ALL PRIVILEGES" automatically grants all necessary permissions.

Method 1: Softaculous (One-Click Installation)

Recommended if available on your hosting - Easiest and fastest way to get started!

Step 1: Check if Softaculous is Available

1. Log into your cPanel account
2. Look for "Softaculous" or "Application Installer" in the "Software" section
3. If you see it, you have Softaculous installed!

Step 2: Search for ChurchCRM

1. Click on Softaculous in cPanel
2. In the search box, type "ChurchCRM"
3. The ChurchCRM application should appear in the search results
4. Click on the ChurchCRM icon to view details

Step 3: Begin Installation

1. Click the green "Install Now" button
2. You'll see the installation form with several options

Step 4: Configure Installation Settings

Fill in these fields:

• Choose Installation URL: Select your domain (or subdomain if you created one)
• Directory: Leave blank for root installation, or type a subdirectory (e.g., churchcrm)
• Admin Username: Create a secure admin username
• Admin Password: Create a strong password
• Admin Email: Enter the admin email address
• Site Name: Enter your church name or organization name

Step 5: Complete Installation

1. Click "Install" button
2. Softaculous will handle everything - database creation, file uploads, configuration
3. Installation typically completes in 2-5 minutes
4. You'll receive confirmation with your admin login information
5. Visit your ChurchCRM URL and log in with the credentials you created

Method 2: cPanel Manual Installation

If Softaculous isn't available, follow these manual steps using cPanel tools.

Step 1: Create MySQL Database

1. In cPanel, find and click "MySQL Databases"
2. In "Create New Database", enter a name like churchcrm_db and click "Create Database"
3. Then click "MySQL Users" and create a new user with a strong password
4. Go back to "MySQL Databases" and add the user to the database with ALL PRIVILEGES
5. Note your database name, username, and password for later

Step 2: Download ChurchCRM

1. Download the latest release from GitHub Releases
2. Unzip the file on your computer (you'll see a folder called "churchcrm")
3. Get all the files from inside the "churchcrm" folder ready to upload

Step 3: Upload Files via cPanel File Manager

1. In cPanel, click "File Manager"
2. Navigate to "public_html" (or a subdirectory/subdomain folder if you created one)
3. Upload all ChurchCRM files here:
   • Click "Upload" button
   • Drag and drop all ChurchCRM files, or select them from your computer
4. Wait for upload to complete

Step 4: Set File Permissions

1. In File Manager, select all uploaded ChurchCRM files
2. Right-click and select "Change Permissions"
3. Set permissions to 644 for files and 755 for folders
4. Click "Change Permissions" button

Step 5: Run Installation Wizard

1. Open your browser and go to your ChurchCRM URL (e.g., yourchurch.org/churchcrm)
2. The installation wizard will load automatically
3. Enter your database information you created in Step 1
4. Create your admin account and configure basic settings
5. Complete the wizard

Method 3: Direct Download (Any LAMP Hosting)

For any web hosting with PHP and MySQL (not just cPanel).

Step 1: Download Latest Release

1. Go to ChurchCRM Releases
2. Download the zip file for the latest stable version
3. Unzip on your computer

Step 2: Create Database

1. Use your hosting control panel to create a MySQL database and user
2. Note the database name, username, and password

Step 3: Upload Files via FTP or File Manager

1. Connect via FTP or use your hosting's file manager
2. Upload all ChurchCRM files to your web root or subdirectory
3. Set file permissions: files to 644, folders to 755

Step 4: Access and Configure

1. Visit your ChurchCRM URL in a browser
2. The setup wizard will appear
3. Enter your database credentials
4. Complete the configuration