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How to Install and Upgrade Osclass on PHP Hosting

Step-by-step web installer, server requirements, and safe core upgrades

This guide covers a clean install of the Osclass classifieds script on PHP/MySQL hosting and how to upgrade an existing site without losing oc-content data. For a shorter overview, see get started. One-click installers such as Softaculous and Installatron can place the files for you; the screens below still apply after the package lands on the server.
If an empty MySQL/MariaDB database already exists and you have host, port, database name, user, and password ready, the browser wizard (requirements check → DB connect → site name and admin account) usually finishes in about 1-2 minutes. Upload time for the ~7 MB ZIP is separate. That clock starts after files are on the server, not from zero hosting setup.

Step 1: Start the Web Installer

After uploading the Osclass files to your hosting server, navigate to your website's URL in a browser. This will automatically trigger the installation prompt.
Click the button to begin the guided setup process for your new classifieds website.
Start the Osclass web installation process
Osclass server requirements check during installation

Step 2: System requirements check

The installer runs the same checks as core get_requirements(): PHP floor, extensions, and writable paths. If a check fails, enable the missing module with your host or move to a plan that meets the list. Current cores also document modern PHP targets (full PHP 8.5 support from Osclass 8.3.1); pin staging and production to the same PHP minor.
What the installer checks (core):
  • PHP 7.2+ (installer floor is PHP 7.2; 7.4+ or 8.x recommended on modern hosts)
  • MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB with a matching client
  • PHP extensions: CURL, MySQLi, GD (enable mbstring before PHP 8.5; core support does not mean every theme is certified on that minor)
  • Writable oc-content/uploads, oc-content/downloads, and oc-content/languages (create if missing)
  • Writable document root (or writable config.php) so the installer can write DB settings from config-sample.php
  • ImageMagick (optional; often better image quality than GD alone)
No Composer, no Node build, and no CLI migrate step for a base install. CLI is optional later for cron and deploys.

Install time vs other stacks

Compare the path to a working classifieds admin, not only "first CMS screen." Times assume files are uploaded and a database is already created.
StackTypical base installWhat you still need for classifiedsNotes
Osclass About 1-2 minutes in the browser wizard when DB credentials are ready Categories, SMTP, moderation, cron (same product) ~7 MB ZIP; PHP 7.2+; CURL/MySQLi/GD; no framework host
WordPress + classifieds plugin WP alone is often quick; classifieds-ready takes longer Classifieds plugin, theme, often cache/SEO plugins, often WooCommerce for fees Larger package surface; every addon retested on WP/PHP bumps
Joomla + DJ-Classifieds Joomla install plus component/modules/menu wiring Component, menu items, modules, ACL, template overrides Recent Joomla lines expect PHP 8.1+; classifieds is not the whole CMS
Magento / Adobe Commerce Hours for a competent first deploy, not minutes Composer, search engine (often Elasticsearch/OpenSearch), Redis/cache, extension matrix PHP 8.1+/8.2+ class requirements; overkill for listings-only products
Laravel / Symfony marketplace scripts CLI: Composer, .env, migrate, often front-end build Whatever the product did not ship (mail, search, payments) Heavier extension and framework CVE surface on every request path
Osclass wins when the goal is classifieds on ordinary LAMP hosting without adopting a general CMS or ecommerce framework first. WordPress or Joomla still win when classifieds is one module inside an existing portal.

Step 3: Connect to Your Database

Enter the connection details for your MySQL database. Create an empty database in your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.) first, then provide database name, username, password, host, and port if it is not the default. Having those values on hand is what keeps the wizard inside the 1-2 minute window.
Enter MySQL database details in the Osclass installer
Configure admin user and website settings in Osclass

Step 4: Website name and admin account

Create the first oc-admin username and password, set the public site name, and enter the contact email used for system mail. Store those credentials outside the browser password manager shared with other staff until roles are set.
You can import a country location pack during or after install. Prefer importing only the countries you serve. Full packs: geolocation download.

Step 5: Installation finished

The final screen links to the front office and the oc-admin login (for example /oc-admin/ or your renamed OC_ADMIN_FOLDER). Bookmark the admin URL. From here, configure SMTP under Settings > Mail server, categories, spam protection, and permalinks before inviting users.
Shared hosting is fine for early tests. Plan a VPS move when search filters, image volume, and concurrent publishes grow. See the hosting page.
After HTTPS: set WEB_PATH in config.php to the https:// URL, then place the HTTPS redirect above Osclass rewrite rules in .htaccess (or the matching nginx SSL termination rules). Archive operators repeatedly broke login and asset URLs by flipping the certificate without updating WEB_PATH.
If the installer says a folder is not writable but chmod looks correct on CentOS/SELinux hosts, check SELinux policy before rewriting permissions. Theme zip or large image failures in the dashboard are often host upload_max_filesize / post_max_size; FTP into oc-content/themes or oc-content/uploads is the reliable fallback.
Osclass installation finished successfully screen

Need Help with Installation?

OsclassPoint offers a professional installation service to get your Osclass script set up and configured correctly on your server.
Osclass one-click upgrade process in the admin panel

How to upgrade Osclass safely

Always upgrade on a staging copy first when you rely on paid plugins or a heavily customized theme. Keep oc-content (uploads, themes, plugins, languages) intact when replacing core files.
  1. Backup files and MySQL and confirm you can restore them.
  2. Download the latest stable ZIP from the download page and read the changelog for PHP and database notes.
  3. Upload and extract core files over the install, without wiping oc-content uploads or custom themes/plugins.
  4. Log into oc-admin. When prompted, run the database upgrade.
  5. Smoke-test publish, search, login, mail, and payment return URLs before switching DNS or removing maintenance mode.
  6. Open Settings > Permalinks and click Save once (even with no pattern change). Forum reports show many post-upgrade 404s clear after rewrite rules regenerate.
  7. Confirm Cron execution history advances after the upgrade (system cron, not Automatic CRON alone), and flush object cache if OSC_CACHE is enabled.

Frequently asked questions

What server requirements does Osclass need?
Osclass needs PHP 7.2 or newer (installer floor PHP 7.2), MySQL or MariaDB, CURL, MySQLi, GD, and writable oc-content/uploads, downloads, and languages folders. Enable mbstring before PHP 8.5. ImageMagick is optional. After HTTPS, set WEB_PATH in config.php to the https URL. Match staging and production PHP minors before go-live.
How long does Osclass installation take?
After files are on the server, if an empty database already exists and you have host, port, name, user, and password ready, the browser wizard usually finishes in about 1-2 minutes. Upload time for the ~7 MB ZIP is separate. WordPress alone can be quick, but a classifieds-ready WP or Joomla stack needs extra plugins or components; Magento and many Laravel/Symfony marketplace scripts need Composer and longer first deploys.
Why are activation emails not arriving?
Use Settings > Mail server with a mailbox on your hosting provider and correct SMTP port/SSL. Prefer host SMTP over consumer Gmail. Confirm SPF/DKIM on the sending domain, and check that mail templates are not empty after adding a language pack.
Can Osclass be installed on shared hosting?
Yes. Many shared plans run Osclass for early traffic because the stack stays on ordinary PHP and MySQL without Elasticsearch or a framework host. Move to VPS or cloud when listing search, media, and concurrent publishes outgrow the plan.
How do I upgrade Osclass without losing data?
Back up database and files, keep oc-content (uploads, themes, plugins, languages), replace core files, then run the oc-admin database upgrade. After upgrade, open Settings > Permalinks and Save once so rewrite rules regenerate. Test plugins on staging first.
Where is the Osclass admin panel URL?
After installation, open the oc-admin path shown by the installer (or your renamed OC_ADMIN_FOLDER). That panel controls listings, users, categories, settings, and upgrades.
Can I install Osclass with Softaculous or Installatron?
Yes. Those one-click installers can place the package. You still finish mail, categories, locations, and plugin setup in oc-admin the same way as a manual install.

Your Marketplace is Live. What's Next?

What to do after install → Browse Themes & Plugins → Read the Documentation → Download Location Data → Download Language Packs →