Softaculous Auto Installer in DirectAdmin
Summary
This guide explains how to use Softaculous Auto Installer inside DirectAdmin. Softaculous is a one‑click installer that lets you quickly install, update, clone, stage, and manage hundreds of applications such as WordPress, Joomla, WHMCS, phpBB, Laravel, and more.
Overview
Softaculous allows you to:
- Install 400+ web applications with one click
- Automatically update apps, plugins, and themes
- Create staging environments
- Clone websites
- Back up and restore installations
- Manage all installed apps from one dashboard
It is the fastest and safest way to deploy web applications on your hosting account.
Requirements
- DirectAdmin user-level access
- Softaculous enabled by your hosting provider
- A domain or subdomain for installation
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Access Softaculous
- Log in to DirectAdmin
- Go to Extra Features → Softaculous Auto Installer
- The Softaculous dashboard will load
You will see categories such as:
- Blogs
- Portals/CMS
- E‑commerce
- Forums
- Social Networking
- ERP
- Frameworks
- PHP Classes
2. Install an Application
Example: Installing WordPress
- Click “WordPress”
- Click “Install”
- Fill in the installation details:
• Domain
• Directory (leave blank for root)
• Site name
• Admin username/password
• Admin email
- Choose PHP version (if available)
- Click “Install”
Softaculous will automatically:
- Create the database
- Configure the app
- Install files
- Set permissions
3. Manage Installed Applications
Click “Installations” to view all apps you’ve installed.
You can:
- Edit installation details
- Change admin credentials
- Update the application
- Update plugins/themes (WordPress)
- Backup or restore
- Clone
- Remove
4. Create a Staging Environment
Useful for testing updates or changes.
- Go to Installations
- Click “Staging” next to your app
- Choose a subdomain or folder
- Click “Create Staging”
Softaculous will clone your site into a safe testing environment.
5. Clone an Application
- Go to Installations
- Click “Clone”
- Choose the destination domain or folder
- Click “Clone Installation”
This is ideal for:
- Creating development copies
- Moving sites between domains
- Testing redesigns
6. Backup and Restore
Softaculous allows:
- Manual backups
- Automatic backups (daily/weekly/monthly)
To back up:
- Go to Installations
- Click “Backup”
- Choose what to include (files, database)
- Click “Backup Installation”
To restore:
- Go to Backups
- Click “Restore”
7. Automatic Updates
Softaculous can automatically update:
- Applications
- Plugins
- Themes
Enable auto-updates during installation or edit an existing installation to turn them on.
8. Remove an Installation
- Go to Installations
- Click “Remove”
- Choose whether to delete:
• Files
• Database
• Database user
- Confirm removal
Troubleshooting
Installation Fails
- Directory not empty
- Missing PHP extensions
- Wrong PHP version
- Database creation permissions
White Screen After Install
- PHP version mismatch
- Missing modules (e.g., mysqli, json)
- Theme/plugin conflict
Staging Not Working
- Destination folder already exists
- Permissions incorrect
Clone Fails
- Not enough disk space
- Large site size
- Timeout during copy
Auto-Updates Not Running
- Cron jobs disabled
- Incorrect permissions
- App not supported for auto-update
Security Notes
- Always enable auto-updates for WordPress
- Use strong admin passwords
- Avoid installing unused apps
- Remove old staging sites
- Back up before major changes
Related Articles
- [WordPress Manager by Softaculous](ca://s?q=WordPress_Manager_by_Softaculous)
- [JetBackup](ca://s?q=JetBackup)
- [MySQL Databases](ca://s?q=MySQL_Databases)
- [Select PHP Version](ca://s?q=Select_PHP_Version)
- [Site Summary & Logs](ca://s?q=Site_Summary_and_Logs)