For one, it doesn’t need a database server, all its data is simply stored in the file system (file-based, flat file CMS). It also provides native markdown WYSIWYG support, SEO friendly, flexible CSS framework with no installation required. For more about Kirby, please check its homepage. This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to install Kirby on Ubuntu 16.04 / 18.10 / 18.04 LTS with Apache2 and PHP 7.2 support. When you’re ready to get Kirby working, continue with the steps below:

Install Apache2 HTTP Server on Ubuntu

Apache2 HTTP Server is the most popular web server in use. so install it, since Kirby needs it. To install Apache2 HTTP on the Ubuntu server, run the commands below. After installing Apache2, the commands below can be used to stop, start and enable the Apache2 service to always start up with the server boots. To test the Apache2 setup, open your browser and browse to the server hostname or IP address and you should see the Apache2 default test page as shown below. When you see that, then Apache2 is working as expected.

PHP 7.2 may not be available in Ubuntu default repositories for some systems. if you need it, you will have to get it from third-party repositories. Run the commands below to add the below third party repository to upgrade to PHP 7.2 Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.2 Next, run the commands below to install PHP 7.2 and related modules. After installing PHP 7.2, run the commands below to open the PHP default config file for Apache2. Then make the changes on the following lines below in the file and save. The value below is a great setting to apply in your environment. After making the change above, save the file and closeout. After installing PHP and related modules, all you have to do is restart Apache2 to reload PHP configurations. To restart Apache2, run the commands below To test PHP 7.2 settings with Apache2, create a phpinfo.php file in the Apache2 root directory by running the commands below Then type the content below and save the file. Save the file. then browse to your server hostname followed by /phpinfo.php You should see the PHP default test page.

Download Kirby’s Latest Release

Next, visit the Kirby site and download the latest package. or run the commands below to download Kirby packages from GitHub. After downloading, run the commands below to extract the downloaded file and move it into a new Kirby root directory. After that, change into Kirby root directory to install PHP required packages. Take notes of the branch number. if there are newer branch numbers, replace the one below with it. Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for Kirby to function properly.

Configure Apache2 Kirby Site

Finally, configure the Apache2 configuration file for Kirby. This file will control how users access Kirby’s content. Run the commands below to create a new configuration file called kirby.conf Then copy and paste the content below into the file and save it. Replace the highlighted line with your domain name and directory root location. Save the file and exit. After configuring the VirtualHost above, enable it by running the commands below

Enable the Kirby Site and Rewrite Module

After configuring the VirtualHost above, enable it by running the commands below, then restart the Apache2 server. Restart Apache2 Next, open your browser and browse to the server hostname or IP address and you should see the Kirby page. Kirby is a database-less flat file content management system. Its structure allowed you to have just the amount of functionality you needed in a flat file CMS solution, adding extensions (blade packs) for further functionality, whilst allowing setup on simple servers with no database. To login to the backend panel, go to the address below: You’ll be prompted to create a new admin account. You should be able to log on with the username and password you created. After creating the first admin account, you can return to the backend by using the URL below: Enjoy! You have successfully installed Kirby CMS on Ubuntu 16.04 | 18.04 and 18.10. For more tutorials on Ubuntu please search our site.