How to Clone an Installation in Softaculous (Latest Versions) Make it Rain Paper

Cloning an installation is a useful feature to test upgrades or changes before applying them to the main installation. This guide will walk you through how to clone an installation using Softaculous, with a table of supported applications that offer this feature. Follow the steps carefully to avoid any issues during the cloning process.

Pre-requirements

• Access to cPanel (or another control panel) with Softaculous installed
• Administrator login credentials
• A functioning installation of the software you want to clone
• File Manager access to clean up any unnecessary files in the target directory

Supported Applications for Cloning (Latest Versions)

For applications you can clone, visit Softaculous Clone Scripts

Steps to Clone an Installation in Softaculous

1. Log in to cPanel

   Access your cPanel at https://example_domain.com:2083 and log in with your credentials.

2. Open Softaculous

   Click on the Softaculous icon in the dashboard to access the script installer.

3. Select the Script to Clone

   In Softaculous, navigate to the application you want to clone from the list of installed scripts. For this example, we will use WordPress.

4. Click on the Clone Icon

   Once the application details page opens, click on the Clone tab.

5. Choose the Destination
   • In the clone form, select the protocol (e.g., http:// or https://).
   • Enter the domain name and directory where you want to clone the installation. If you're cloning into the root of the domain, leave the directory field blank.
6. Check for Unnecessary Files

   If unnecessary files (such as .htaccess) exist in the target directory, you can access the File Manager in cPanel to delete them before cloning.

7. Complete the Cloning Process

   Once all details are filled in, click on the Clone button. The time taken to clone the installation will depend on the size of the script and your server's performance.

Gotchas to Avoid

• Do Not Delete Files in the Original Installation: Only delete unnecessary files in the target directory where the clone will be placed. Deleting files in the original installation can break your website.
• Backup Before Cloning: Always back up your installation before cloning, in case something goes wrong during the process.
• Use Unique Directories: Ensure the directory where you clone the installation is empty to avoid file conflicts.

Cloning an installation in Softaculous is a straightforward process, but it's crucial to follow these steps carefully to avoid issues. Once the cloning is complete, you'll have a separate instance where you can safely test updates and changes without affecting your main site.