How to Install WonderCMS on Debian 12

WonderCMS is a lightweight, open-source CMS that offers a simple and fast way to build websites. It requires minimal resources and installation steps, making it a great choice for users looking for an easy-to-manage CMS.

WonderCMS is an extremely lightweight content management system designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s ideal for users who want a fast and efficient solution for managing small websites without complicated setup or maintenance.

Key features of WonderCMS include:

Flat file CMS: No need for a MySQL database.
Minimal setup: Installation takes just a few minutes.
Customizable: Easy to modify themes and plugins.
Responsive: Works well on mobile and desktop browsers.

Step 1: Create an Instance on Cloud.shape.host

Step 1.1: Access the Dashboard

Step 1.2: Create a New Instance

Click Create and select Instances.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with Create > Instance highlighted.

Step 1.3: Choose Datacenter Location

Choose a datacenter closest to your audience (e.g., New York, London).

Shape.host instance form with the data center location selector highlighted.

Step 1.4: Select Your Plan

Choose a Standard or CPU-Optimized plan.

Step 1.5: Configure the Instance

Select Debian 12 as the operating system.
Configure network and authentication settings.

Shape.host instance form with the operating system image selector highlighted.

Step 1.6: Configure and Launch

Set the Network Type and Authentication Method (SSH key or password).
Click Create Instance.

Shape.host instance form with the Create Instance button highlighted.

Step 1.7: Locate your Instance’s IP

Shape.host Resources dashboard with the server IP address highlighted.

Step 1.8: Access the Instance

Access your instance via SSH:

   ssh root@<your-instance-ip>

Step 2: Update System and Install Dependencies

First, update the system:

apt update

Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Install Apache, PHP, and other necessary packages:

apt install apache2 php php-common php-mbstring php-curl php-zip unzip

Verify that Apache is running:

systemctl is-enabled apache2
systemctl status apache2

Terminal showing systemd service management commands or output.

Step 3: Configure PHP

Open the PHP configuration file:

nano /etc/php/8.2/apache2/php.ini

Adjust the following values according to your server’s needs:

date.timezone = "Europe/Amsterdam"
memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128MB
post_max_size = 128MB
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_vars = 5000

Restart Apache to apply changes:

systemctl restart apache2

Step 4: Configure Firewall

Install UFW and configure the firewall:

apt install ufw
ufw allow OpenSSH
ufw allow "WWW Full"
ufw enable
ufw status

Terminal showing firewall configuration commands and rules.

Step 5: Download and Install WonderCMS

Navigate to the web directory and download WonderCMS:

cd /var/www/
wget https://github.com/WonderCMS/wondercms/releases/download/3.4.3/wondercms-343.zip

Terminal showing file and directory setup commands.

Terminal showing file download commands and transfer output.

Unzip the WonderCMS package:

unzip wondercms-343.zip -d /var/www/wondercms

Terminal showing unzip commands or output during Download and Install WonderCMS.

Move WonderCMS files to the correct location: It appears that the actual WonderCMS files are inside the /var/www/wondercms/wondercms/ subdirectory. You need to move the contents of that subdirectory to the parent directory (/var/www/wondercms/).

mv /var/www/wondercms/wondercms/* /var/www/wondercms/
mv /var/www/wondercms/wondercms/.* /var/www/wondercms/ 2>/dev/null
rmdir /var/www/wondercms/wondercms

Set the correct permissions:

chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wondercms
chmod -R 755 /var/www/wondercms

Terminal showing file ownership or permission commands.

Step 6: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Enable Apache rewrite module:

a2enmod rewrite

Create a new virtual host configuration file for WonderCMS:

nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/wondercms.conf

Insert the following configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName debian.shape.host
    DirectoryIndex index.php
    DocumentRoot /var/www/wondercms
    Redirect /wondercms/loginURL /loginURL

    ErrorLog /var/log/apache2/debian.shape.host-error.log
    CustomLog /var/log/apache2/debian.shape.host-access.log combined

    <Directory /var/www/wondercms>
        Options FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Terminal showing web server configuration text.

Enable the site and restart Apache:

a2ensite wondercms.conf
apachectl configtest
systemctl restart apache2

Terminal showing an Apache configuration test.

Step 7: Install SSL with Certbot

Install Certbot and generate SSL certificates for WonderCMS:

apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache
certbot --apache --agree-tos --no-eff-email --redirect --hsts --staple-ocsp --email contact@shape.host -d debian.shape.host

Terminal showing Certbot certificate commands and messages.

Step 8: Access WonderCMS

Open your web browser and visit your domain:

https://debian.shape.host

On the WonderCMS homepage, you should see a generated password. Copy and save it in a secure place for future use.

WonderCMS default welcome page with a login link.

Click the “Click Here to Login” button.
You will be redirected to the login page, where you need to input the default password provided on the welcome page.

After logging in, navigate to the Settings/Plugins.
You can customize settings, such as changing the Admin Login URL or updating the password.
Remember to save your new configuration and keep your login URL secure.

WonderCMS administrator security settings dialog.

For best performance and security, host your WonderCMS site on Shape.Host’s Cloud VPS, providing fast speeds, scalability, and reliable uptime for your website.