What is the fastest way to launch an Osclass site?

Upload the ~7 MB ZIP, create a MySQL database, open the site URL, and finish the browser wizard. When host, port, database name, user, and password are ready, the wizard usually takes about 1-2 minutes. Then set categories, SMTP, moderation, and permalinks before public traffic.

How do I start a successful online classifieds site after install?

Install only gets you a working script. Success needs one niche, 20-40 seed listings, a daily moderator, proven mail and cron, frozen permalinks, and fees after sellers get replies. Follow the start a successful classifieds site article for the eight steps and first 90 days.

Do I need programming skills to install Osclass?

No for a base install. The browser installer creates tables and the first admin account. Custom themes, plugins, or payment callbacks are easier with a developer or staging tests.

Do I need CLI tools to start Osclass?

No. Standard installation works from a browser and hosting panel tools. No Composer or Node build is required for core. CLI is optional later for cron automation, backups, and advanced deploys.

What should I configure right after first login?

Site name and contact email, SMTP delivery, category tree and custom fields, location import for your countries, spam protection, and SEO-friendly URLs. These affect listing quality and indexing.

Where do I get official themes and plugins?

Use OsclassPoint, the sister marketplace linked from this site. Install only extensions you will maintain, and test them on staging before production.

Should Automatic CRON stay enabled after launch?

No on production. Disable Automatic CRON under Settings > General and schedule system or panel cron for minutely, hourly, and daily jobs so listing expiry and alerts run without depending on page hits.

How to Start a Self-Hosted Osclass Website

Install in six steps, then follow the successful launch checklist

Osclass installs through a browser wizard on standard PHP and MySQL hosting. You do not need CLI, Composer, or a Node build for a base classifieds site. If the database already exists and you have host, port, name, user, and password ready, the wizard usually finishes in about 1-2 minutes after files are uploaded (~7 MB ZIP). A successful online classifieds site still needs niche focus, seed listings, and moderation after install. Use the how to start a successful classifieds site guide for those steps.

Installer checks: PHP 7.2+ (7.4+ or 8.x recommended), MySQL/MariaDB, CURL, MySQLi, GD, and writable oc-content folders. Screenshots and a stack comparison (WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Laravel/Symfony scripts): installation guide. Prefer to click around first? Open the live demo.

1 Download the Osclass script

Get the current stable ZIP of the free open-source PHP classifieds script (about 7 MB compressed core). That package is enough for a clean install or a manual core upgrade later.

Download Osclass v8.3.1

2 Upload files to hosting

Unzip locally, then upload the contents to your web root with FTP (for example FileZilla) or the host file manager. Create an empty MySQL database and note host, name, user, and password for the installer.

Download FileZilla Hosting options for Osclass

3 Run the web installer

Open your site URL in a browser. The installer checks PHP extensions (CURL, MySQLi, GD), connects to MySQL, creates tables, and asks for the site name plus the first oc-admin account. With DB credentials ready, that wizard is typically 1-2 minutes. Follow each screen until you see links to the front office and admin.

Step-by-step installation guide Watch the video guide (2:12)

4 Themes and plugins

Pick a theme for listing grids and publish forms. Add plugins for payments (Osclass Pay), spam controls, SEO helpers, or niche attributes. Prefer Market installs after an OsclassPoint API key, and test on staging before production.

Browse themes Browse plugins

5 Languages and translations

Install free language packs (.po/.mo) under International settings. Set default locale and currency. For RTL languages, smoke-test listing forms and search after enabling the pack.

Download language packs

6 Import geolocation data

Import a free per-country SQL pack so region and city filters match real places. Import only countries you serve to keep the database smaller and backups faster.

Download geolocation data

Before you open the site to the public

Configure SMTP under Settings > Mail server using a mailbox on your host when possible. Prefer host SMTP over consumer Gmail for activation and alerts. Disable Automatic CRON under Settings > General and schedule system cron for minutely, hourly, and daily jobs. Then publish a few seed listings and test search on mobile.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to launch an Osclass site?: Upload the ~7 MB ZIP, create a MySQL database, open the site URL, and finish the browser wizard. When host, port, database name, user, and password are ready, the wizard usually takes about 1-2 minutes. Then set categories, SMTP, moderation, and permalinks before public traffic.
How do I start a successful online classifieds site after install?: Install only gets you a working script. Success needs one niche, 20-40 seed listings, a daily moderator, proven mail and cron, frozen permalinks, and fees after sellers get replies. Follow the start a successful classifieds site article for the eight steps and first 90 days.
Do I need programming skills to install Osclass?: No for a base install. The browser installer creates tables and the first admin account. Custom themes, plugins, or payment callbacks are easier with a developer or staging tests.
Do I need CLI tools to start Osclass?: No. Standard installation works from a browser and hosting panel tools. No Composer or Node build is required for core. CLI is optional later for cron automation, backups, and advanced deploys.
What should I configure right after first login?: Site name and contact email, SMTP delivery, category tree and custom fields, location import for your countries, spam protection, and SEO-friendly URLs. These affect listing quality and indexing.
Where do I get official themes and plugins?: Use OsclassPoint, the sister marketplace linked from this site. Install only extensions you will maintain, and test them on staging before production.
Should Automatic CRON stay enabled after launch?: No on production. Disable Automatic CRON under Settings > General and schedule system or panel cron for minutely, hourly, and daily jobs so listing expiry and alerts run without depending on page hits.

How to Start a Self-Hosted Osclass Website

Install in six steps, then follow the successful launch checklist

Frequently asked questions

Next steps after install