Technical guide for Hovixa users on using Softaculous for automated application deployment, creating staging environments via cloning, and managing local app backups.

Softaculous Apps Installer: Deploying, Cloning, and Backing Up Applications

Softaculous is a commercial script library that automates the installation of over 400 applications (including WordPress, Joomla, and Magento). Beyond initial deployment, it functions as an Application Lifecycle Management tool, allowing you to clone production sites for testing and manage application-level backups.

1. Deploying a New Application

Softaculous handles the file extraction, database creation, and user privilege assignment in a single workflow.

Execution Steps:

1. Log in to cpanel.hovixa.com.
2. Navigate to the Software section and click Softaculous Apps Installer.
3. Select your application (e.g., WordPress) and click Install.
4. Choose Protocol: Select https:// or https://www..
5. In Directory: Leave this blank to install on the root domain (e.g., example.com). Enter a value (e.g., blog) to install in a subdirectory.
6. Admin Account: Configure a strong username and password. Do not use "admin".
7. Click Install at the bottom of the page.

2. Cloning an Application (Staging Environment)

Cloning creates an identical copy of your production site, including the database and all files, in a new directory or subdomain. This is the analytically correct way to test updates or code changes without risking live site downtime.

Execution Steps:

1. In Softaculous, click the All Installations (box icon) in the top toolbar.
2. Locate your production site and click the Clone (two-page icon).
3. Select the Protocol and the Domain for the clone (e.g., staging.example.com).
4. Click Clone Installation. Softaculous will automatically update the database strings (like siteurl and home in WordPress) to match the new destination.

3. Automated and Manual Backups

While Hovixa provides server-wide backups via JetBackup, Softaculous backups are useful for quick, application-specific snapshots before making major changes.

Manual Backups:

1. From the All Installations list, click the Backup (folder icon) next to your app.
2. Choose whether to backup the directory, the database, or both.
3. Click Backup Installation.

Automated Backups:

You can configure Softaculous to handle its own rotation. This is configured during installation or by clicking Edit on an existing installation.

• Automated Backups: Select Once a day, Once a week, or Once a month.
• Backup Rotation: Set the number of backups to keep (e.g., 4). Once the limit is reached, Softaculous deletes the oldest backup to save disk space.

4. Technical Implementation Details

• Backup Location: Softaculous stores backups in /home/username/softaculous_backups. These files count toward your account's disk quota.
• Importing Existing Sites: If you installed a site manually, use the Import tab in Softaculous. This allows Softaculous to "take over" the management, enabling one-click updates and cloning for that site.
• Update Synchronization: Enable "Auto Upgrade" only for minor versions (e.g., 6.1 to 6.1.1). Major version upgrades should always be tested on a Clone first.