# BrandsTrack — Click-through cPanel Installation

## What you do

1. Upload the ZIP to cPanel File Manager.
2. Extract it.
3. Create a MySQL database and database user in cPanel.
4. Open your domain/folder in a browser and visit:
   `https://YOUR-DOMAIN/installer.php`
5. Enter the database details and your website URL.
6. Click **Install BrandsTrack**.
7. Wait for the installation to finish.
8. Test the dashboard.
9. Delete `installer.php` from the server after successful installation.

## Important hosting requirement

The click-through installer uses PHP to call Composer and Laravel Artisan. Some shared hosts disable `exec()`/shell commands from PHP. If that happens, the installer will tell you. Ask your hosting provider to enable Composer/PHP CLI access, or use the included `install.sh` through cPanel Terminal.

## Database

You do NOT need to import `database/schema.sql` for the normal installation. Laravel migrations create the tables automatically.

## Domain document root

Your domain should point to:

`app/public`

Do not expose the Laravel project root as the public document root.

## Production security

- Set APP_DEBUG=false.
- Use HTTPS.
- Never publish database credentials.
- Delete `installer.php` after setup.
- Configure real AI/payment credentials only when ready.