Steps On How To Install Flarum On Ubuntu 16.04

Flarum is a new type of simple design discussion fora which is currently in beta version. Although beta, you can use for production purpose if you are not going to test new extensions. Here are the steps on how to install Flarum on Ubuntu 16.04 with Apache2 with required permissions, configuring SendGrid as SMTP Mail Server. We covered the parts which peoples commonly face as problems. Minimum 1 GB RAM need for practical reasons.

Steps On How To Install Flarum On Ubuntu 16.04 : First Create LAMP Server

Essentially we will build a LAMP Server with HTTP/2 support, then install Composer, then install Flarum. Skip to next sub header if you already running a LAMP or LEMP server. First update, upgrade and install Percona MySQL Server (we prefer Percona, you can use MariaDB or MySQL) :

Act accordingly to the options which will prompt you. Now login to MySQL server :

Then run the commands :

Now we need to create a database, we are showing with root user, you should create a user in production server :

Now install Apache2 :

Now we need to install PHP :

Let us perform additional steps to configure Apache2 and Let’s Encrypt :

If your domain name is abhishekghosh.pro, then run this :

Create a cron :

Add this entry at bottom to auto renew letsencrypt :

Now, perform minimum tweaks :

Change the config in this way :

Open :

At minimum change few settings like these :

Activate these modules :

Then run config test :

Your website should be accessible by HTTPS URL and able to process PHP.

Steps On How To Install Flarum On Ubuntu 16.04 : Next Install Composer

We need to install Composer to install, update Flarum and extensions of Flarum. If you are not used with Composer, only know that it is a tool to manage PHP dependencies and some PHP based web softwares and not going to disturb your existing running web application. Run these :

You should get Installer verified message. Now run :

If you run the command :

You’ll understand that Composer is ready.

Install Flarum With Composer

Almost done, change directory to where you want to install Flarum, like :

as on root with Apache2’s default FTP root or subdirectory like :

For new, fresh installation you must delete the default Apache2 file :

Then run this command :

Create an .htaccess file :

Unless it is subdirectory, you possibly will need :

You should have proper permission, if /var/www/html is your location of Flarum run these :

Now, if you point towards the URL on browser, you’ll get a Web UI where you will be instructed to CHMOD some directories with more open permission. Run those commands, fill the web form with database details and run the installer script. If you are getting error, they will be out of need more liberal permission.

Ask on Flarum about your error (if any) :

Configuring Mail Like With SendGrid

If you use service like SendGrid, these are correct settings :

Username will be apikey and password is your real API key copied from SendGrid account.