# How to install Craft CMS in cPanel

> A step-by-step guide to installing Craft CMS on your Kualo hosting account via cPanel.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/other-apps/how-to-install-craft-cms-in-cpanel
Updated: 2026-06-13

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![How to Install Craft CMS in cPanel](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/5f/45/5f4560a181f3046be87a3c2b7fb9fe41faec2713.jpg)

[Craft CMS](https://craftcms.com/) is a content management system laser-focused on one thing: managing content well. Because content comes in all shapes and sizes, Craft is built to be as flexible as possible without compromising ease of use for content authors.

:::info
These steps cover a manual installation. Craft requires PHP and a MySQL database, both of which are available on all Kualo hosting plans.
:::

## Before you start

- Download the latest version of Craft CMS from [craftcms.com](https://craftcms.com/) and save it to your computer.
- Make a note of the domain or subdomain where you want to install Craft.

## Step 1 - Upload the Craft archive

1. [Log in to cPanel](/knowledgebase/cpanel-how-tos/how-to-login-to-cpanel).
2. Open **File Manager** and navigate to the document root of the domain or subdomain where you want to install Craft (for example, `public_html`).
3. Click **Upload** and upload the Craft archive file.

![Uploading the Craft archive in cPanel File Manager](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/9d/7a/9d7aaa44065349b259912e196d3bc79e44d1034b.png)

## Step 2 - Extract the archive

1. In File Manager, select the uploaded archive.
2. Click **Extract** to unpack the files into the document root.

![Extracting the Craft archive](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/d3/40/d34008e48f2e3a5f29419f32f19eb065b9320f68.png)

## Step 3 - Move files to the document root

Craft's archive includes a `public` folder. You need to move the contents of that folder up to your document root so the web server can find them.

1. Open the `public` folder in File Manager.
2. Select all files inside it and move them to your document root.

![Moving Craft files to the document root](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/5e/d4/5ed45d3abeaf22780573cf2710f72eb024c6885e.gif)

## Step 4 - Set the `$craftPath` in index.php

1. Open `index.php` in File Manager's code editor.
2. Locate the `$craftPath` variable and set it to point to the `craft` folder:

```php
$craftPath = './craft';
```

![Setting the craftPath variable](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/fe/1c/fe1cbee55669c3bed75cf934ee30335486f1e96b.gif)

## Step 5 - Rename the htaccess file

1. In File Manager, locate the file named `htaccess` in your document root.
2. Rename it to `.htaccess` (with a leading dot).

![Renaming htaccess to .htaccess](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/e4/b7/e4b71e543d59ae1380124beea7e073927a3cc711.png)

## Step 6 - Create a database and database user

1. In cPanel, go to **Databases** and open **MySQL Database Wizard**.
2. Create a new database, then create a new database user.
3. Save the database name, username and password - you will need them shortly.
4. Grant the new user **All Privileges** on the database.

## Step 7 - Configure the database connection

1. In File Manager, open `craft/config/db.php`.
2. Enter the database name, username and password you saved in the previous step.

![Configuring the Craft database settings](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/e7/da/e7daf57d8c477db1ef6f66c86dd78b89e7e16541.gif)

## Complete the installation

Visit `https://your-domain.com/admin` in your browser to run the Craft setup wizard and finish the installation.

![Craft CMS setup wizard](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/09/72/09729b418d64e28d178ae8d3b77d4b19757a342b.png)

If you need any help, please [contact us](https://www.kualo.com/company/contact).

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/other-apps/how-to-install-craft-cms-in-cpanel · © Kualo Ltd._