How to Install and Configure WHMCS Using the Command Line Make it Rain Paper

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring WHMCS via the command line for cPanel and Plesk resellers. This method is efficient for bulk provisioning and supports seamless, automated setup in a Linux environment.

Pre-Requirements

• A valid WHMCS license key.
• Command-line access to your server with administrative privileges.
• A MySQL database with the following details:
  • Database Host
  • Database Port
  • Database User
  • Database Name
  • Password
• The latest WHMCS .zip file (available from WHMCS Downloads).

Step-by-Step Command Line WHMCS Installation

1. Download and Unzip WHMCS

Download the WHMCS .zip file and unzip it:

wget https://downloads.whmcs.com/WHMCS_latest.zip
unzip WHMCS_latest.zip -d /path/to/whmcs

Replace /path/to/whmcs with your desired installation path.

2. Rename the Configuration File

After unzipping, navigate to the WHMCS directory and rename configuration.php.new to configuration.php:

cd /path/to/whmcs
mv configuration.php.new configuration.php

3. Install WHMCS Using Command Line Options

WHMCS provides an installation script with various options. Here’s a breakdown of the options available:

4. Supplying Configuration Data

Using the -c or --config option, you can supply configuration data in JSON format directly from the command line:

#!/bin/env bash
CONF='{
 "admin":{
  "username":"admin_name",
  "password":"'$ADMIN_PASS'"
 },
 "configuration":{
  "license": "'$LICENSE_KEY'",
  "db_host": "'$DB_HOST'",
  "db_username": "'$DB_USER'",
  "db_password": "'$DB_PASS'",
  "db_name": "'$DB_NAME'",
  "cc_encryption_hash": "'$ENCRYPT_HASH'",
  "mysql_charset": "utf8"
 }
}'

echo $(echo $CONF | tr -d "\n") | php -f bin/installer.php -- -i -n -c

Gotcha:

Make sure to generate a 64-character encryption hash value. You can use OpenSSL for this:

ENCRYPT_HASH=$(openssl rand -base64 128 | tr -d "\n\/+=" | cut -c 1-64)

This hash value is critical for encrypting sensitive information in WHMCS.

5. Access WHMCS Admin Panel

Once the installation is complete, log in to the WHMCS Admin area. The URL typically follows this format:

http://yourdomain.com/whmcs/admin

Post-Installation Configuration for cPanel & Plesk Resellers

After installation, configure WHMCS for reseller management on cPanel or Plesk.

1. Set Up cPanel and Plesk Servers

In WHMCS, go to Configuration > System Settings > Servers:

• Select Add New Server.
• Choose either cPanel or Plesk from the module dropdown.
• Enter server details, including hostname, IP address, and access credentials.
• Save your changes.

Gotcha:

Ensure correct API credentials for both cPanel and Plesk to avoid connection issues.

2. Configure Reseller Products

In Configuration > System Settings > Products/Services:

• Set up reseller packages by adding products tailored to cPanel and Plesk features.
• Assign the product to the appropriate server group (cPanel or Plesk).

3. Set Up Payment Gateways

In Configuration > System Settings > Payment Gateways, enable your preferred gateways and configure as necessary.

4. Customize Client Area and Ordering

Customize the client area experience for your resellers:

• In General Settings > Ordering, select an order form template optimized for resellers.
• Under Domains, configure domain pricing if offering domains as part of reseller plans.

5. Enable Automation Settings

Ensure automated provisioning and billing for your resellers:

• Go to Configuration > System Settings > Automation Settings.
• Enable daily automation, including suspension and termination options.