> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing OpenCart manually

> Follow our step-by-step instructions to install OpenCart manually on your hosting account.

This article describes how to manually install OpenCart, a PHP-based online shopping cart system.

<Tip>
  If your hosting account includes Softaculous Premium, you do not need to install OpenCart manually. For information about how to install OpenCart in just a few clicks using Softaculous, go to [Installing OpenCart using Softaculous](/docs/opencart1).
</Tip>

## Installing OpenCart

OpenCart is compatible with all hosting.com accounts.

<Note>
  Although hosting.com servers are compatible with a wide variety of software applications, we cannot provide troubleshooting assistance for application-specific issues.
</Note>

To install OpenCart, follow these steps:

1. Download the OpenCart application file at [https://www.opencart.com/index.php?route=cms/download](https://www.opencart.com/index.php?route=cms/download) to your computer.

2. Extract the zip file on your computer.

3. Use FTP to upload the contents of the **upload** folder to the **public\_html** directory of your hosting.com account. For information about how to access your account using FTP, go to [Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol)](/docs/using-ftp-file-transfer-protocol).
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > This step assumes that you want to run OpenCart from your domain's document root (for example, *example.com*). If you do not want to do this, create a directory beneath the **public\_html** directory, and transfer the contents of the **upload** folder to that directory instead. For example, to run OpenCart from *example.com/cart*, create a directory under **public\_html** named *cart*, and then transfer the contents of the **upload** folder to it.

4. Use cPanel to create a MySQL database and database user for OpenCart. You will need this information during the web configuration process.

   > 📘 Note
   >
   > For information about how to create a MySQL database and user, go to [Managing MySQL databases and users](/docs/managing-mysql-databases).

5. Using the cPanel File Manager or the command line, rename the *config-dist.php* file to *config.php*.

6. Using the cPanel File Manager or the command line, rename the *admin/config-dist.php* file to *admin/config.php*.

7. Using the cPanel File Manager or the command line, change the permissions for the *config.php* files you created in steps 5 and 6 to **777** (read-write-execute).

8. Use your web browser to start the installation. The installation URL is one of the following:

   * If you are installing the application in the domain's document root directory, use *[http://www.example.com](http://www.example.com)*.

   * If you are installing the application in a subdirectory, use *[http://www.example.com/directory](http://www.example.com/directory)*, where *directory* represents the path to the application files.

9. On the **License agreement** page, click **Continue**.

10. On the **Pre-Installation** page, confirm all of the settings are correct, and then click **Continue**. Alternatively, modify the required setting or settings, refresh the page, and then try again.

11. On the **Configuration** page, in the **Please enter your database connection details** section, specify the settings for the database that you created in step 4.

12. On the **Configuration** page, in the **Please enter a username and password for the administration** section, specify the administrator's e-mail address and login information.

13. Click **Continue**. The **Installation complete** page appears.

## Post-installation configuration

After you finish installing OpenCart, complete these additional steps to help secure your site:

1. Using the cPanel File Manager or the command line, delete the *install* folder.

2. Log in to OpenCart as the administrator. If you receive any security notifications, follow the recommended  steps to help secure your site.

## More information

* For general information about OpenCart, please visit [https://www.opencart.com/](https://www.opencart.com/).

* To view the online OpenCart documentation, please visit [https://docs.opencart.com/](https://docs.opencart.com/).