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BookStack can be deployed manually on a PHP-capable server, through a community Docker setup, with a supported Ubuntu install script, or through a hosting provider. Choose based on how much server administration you want to own: every route still needs a dependable plan for data backups, updates, and recovery. Before installing, confirm your server meets BookStack’s current requirements.
Which BookStack deployment method should you choose?
The right route depends less on a universal measure of speed or safety than on your environment and willingness to maintain it. Manual installation offers direct control; containers suit operators who already manage Docker; Ubuntu scripts automate a fresh server’s stack; and managed hosting can shift some administration to a provider. The BookStack project says the alternative hosting and container options listed on its installation page are not tested, vetted, or supported by the project.
| Route | Good fit | What you still need to manage |
|---|---|---|
| Manual installation | Administrators comfortable with PHP applications, databases, web servers, Git, and Composer. | Application configuration, permissions, web-server setup, database migration, updates, and backups. |
| Community Docker setup | Operators who prefer containers and understand Docker and persistent data. | Container configuration, persistent storage, image updates, and a tested backup-and-restore process. Confirm current instructions with the community project you choose. |
| Ubuntu install script | A fresh supported Ubuntu LTS server where the script’s Apache, MySQL, and PHP stack is acceptable. | Mail configuration, system security, ongoing updates, and backups. The script may overwrite an existing web setup. |
| Managed or app hosting | Readers who prefer a provider-managed environment or app deployment flow. | Verify the provider’s update and backup practices, restore access, data location, and support scope before committing. |
BookStack’s installation page links to community Docker configurations and names alternative hosting services, but does not endorse or support them. Shared PHP hosting is not currently supported: the project cites provider differences and limitations in the installation process.
The Tool Desk
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BookStack’s installation documentation currently lists PHP 8.2 or later, MySQL 8.0 or later or MariaDB 10.6 or later, Git, Composer 2.2.0 or later, and a PHP-compatible web server. The required PHP extensions are curl, dom, gd, iconv, mbstring, mysqlnd, openssl, pdo, pdo_mysql, tokenizer, xml, and zip. LDAP is optional for LDAP authentication; EXIF is optional for accurate image-rotation handling. These minimum versions can change, so check the live requirements before choosing an operating system or installing dependencies.
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For a manual setup, some PHP or Laravel experience makes the process easier. In every setup, plan permissions and security as well as application compatibility: the web server needs write access to specific BookStack directories, and the server itself needs appropriate security controls.
How do I install BookStack manually?
The manual process uses the release branch, Composer dependencies, an environment file, a configured database, and a web root pointed at BookStack’s public directory. Follow the project’s live installation guide for commands and server-specific web-server configuration.
Rank #2
- 【DESCRIPTION】This set of rulers will help you in your bookbinding work, from cutting the corners to positioning the cardboard correctly. You can also use it to cover all types of album covers, make spine structures, double covers, etc. It contains an instruction manual with information on how to use the rulers included in the set.
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- Install and check prerequisites. Prepare a compatible PHP web server and MySQL or MariaDB database, along with the listed PHP extensions, Git, and Composer.
- Get the release code and dependencies. Clone the
releasebranch, then install production Composer dependencies as shown in the official guide. - Configure the environment. Copy
.env.exampleto.envand set the database and mail values. Restrict access to.env, which contains configuration and credentials. - Set filesystem permissions. Ensure
storage,bootstrap/cache, andpublic/uploadsare writable by the appropriate web-server process. - Generate the application key. Use the documented Artisan command. Treat the resulting
APP_KEYas a credential and retain it for recovery. - Configure the web server. Point its document root at the BookStack
publicdirectory—not the application root—and enable URL rewriting as needed for the server. - Run the database migration. Execute
php artisan migrateusing the application’s documented setup procedure. - Sign in and secure the account. The documented manual-install default credentials are
admin@admin.comandpassword; change them immediately after the first login.
Do not expose the application root as the website document root. Doing so is unnecessary and can expose files that belong outside the public web directory.
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When should I use a Docker setup or Ubuntu install script?
Community Docker configurations
Docker can fit an environment where you already operate containers, but a container does not remove the need to understand data persistence. BookStack’s installation page links to community-provided configurations, including LinuxServer.io and solidnerd. Their status is community-provided, not an official BookStack-supported deployment. Follow the chosen project’s current image instructions, identify which data lives in persistent storage, and make sure your backup includes both the database and instance files.
Rank #3
- 6-Piece Set: These book binding tools include 6 polypropylene templates "I" rule 5 mm, "L" long 15 mm, "L" short 15 mm, "T" rule 5 mm, corner miter 3 mm for precise bookbinding, scrapbooking, and paper crafting;
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- Versatile Tool: Perfect for junk journals, cards, photo albums, and personalized gifts, these bookbinding tools and book making tools help crafters achieve professional results at home;
Ubuntu scripts
The official page describes scripts for fresh Ubuntu systems, not servers with an existing web stack. The Ubuntu 26.04 script is described as installing Apache, MySQL 8.4, and PHP 8.5; it asks for an administrator email and outputs a generated initial password. The Ubuntu 24.04 script is described as installing Apache, MySQL 8.0, and PHP 8.3. Script support and installed versions can change, so check the current installation page before running one.
The scripts may overwrite existing web setup and do not configure mail or system security. Use one only when the server is fresh and you accept the stack it installs; configure mail and secure the host separately.
Rank #4
How do I update BookStack?
BookStack’s project documentation says it is updated regularly and that the team tries to keep the platform and upgrade path stable. Upgrades still require care: the standard documented flow updates the release code, reinstalls production dependencies, and applies database migrations. The project advises backing up the database and uploads before updating.
- Back up the database and uploads. Use the backup approach described below before changing the installation.
- Update the release code:
git pull origin release. - Install production dependencies:
composer install --no-dev. - Apply database migrations:
php artisan migrate. - Review release-specific notes. Check the official update documentation for compatibility and security notices relevant to the release you are installing.
The update page notes that BookStack v26.09 and higher requires an APP_KEY value rather than falling back to a default if it is absent. The vendor-download update alternative is documented as beta and requires BookStack v25.02.1 or later; check its current status before relying on it. The System CLI is also not a production shortcut: its documentation describes it as alpha and non-production until sufficiently tested, and advises caution and periodic testing.
Best Value
- Complete Kit: Includes all-aluminum alloy hole punching guide, awl, and cradle for bookbinding projects
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How do I back up and restore BookStack?
A recoverable backup needs both a database dump and the instance-specific files. BookStack’s backup and restore guide identifies the files to preserve as .env, public/uploads, storage/uploads, and themes. Store backups somewhere safe, ideally on a different device from the BookStack server.
- Database: Keep a database dump from the same recovery point as the files.
- Configuration: Preserve
.env, including the existingAPP_KEY. - User content and customizations: Preserve the listed upload directories and
themes.
During restoration, retain the old application key. BookStack’s security guidance explains that it is used for MFA values, cookies and session data, and temporarily cached authentication data. For a Docker deployment, the backup guide says to restore the database before starting the BookStack container. If the restored instance will use a new base URL, update APP_URL and run the system URL update command from the restore guide to revise stored URLs.
What should I plan for after deployment?
Security and access
Keep credentials and APP_KEY protected, restrict access to .env, and apply security measures to the hosting server as well as the application. If an Ubuntu script installed the stack, remember that it does not configure system security or mail.
Backups and maintenance
Make backups that include the database and required instance files, and ensure you can restore them. Before each upgrade, take a backup and review the release notes. Decide who is responsible for applying updates and recovering the service if an upgrade or host failure causes an outage.
Availability and multi-instance designs
BookStack says most instances do not need high availability and does not assure availability for such designs. Upgrades may cause downtime. A multi-instance deployment needs deliberate handling of local state: sessions and cache default to local filesystem storage, as do uploaded files. BookStack documents alternatives including shared database, Memcached or Redis options, and S3-compatible file storage, but designing and operating a highly available setup remains an advanced responsibility.
Quick Recap
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