SOQ International Academy

Preparing

preparing screenshot

Live screenshot from the SOQ beauty demo (aiacademy.aiee.dev).

Server / hosting checklist

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 1 — Server / hosting checklist. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 1

What this screen is

Confirm hosting meets SOQ International Academy requirements before upload.

What you see

Checklist or screenshot of environment basics (PHP, MySQL, HTTPS).

Field / control guide
  • PHP version: Use PHP 8.1+ (8.2 recommended) on Contabo VPS or your host — see Requirements.
  • Extensions: Ensure required PHP extensions (openssl, mbstring, etc.) are on.
  • HTTPS: Site must load over HTTPS for login and payments.
How to complete the task
  1. Review hosting requirements.
  2. Enable HTTPS and PHP extensions.
  3. Note database credentials for later.

Notes / pitfalls: Skipping HTTPS breaks secure cookies and some gateways.

Upload package files

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 2 — Upload package files. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 2

What this screen is

Upload the SOQ International Academy package to the web root.

What you see

File manager or FTP view of uploaded folders.

Field / control guide
  • Document root: Point the domain to the public web root for the app.
  • Permissions: Writable folders for storage and cache as required.
  • Archive: Extract the full package; do not omit vendor or public assets.
How to complete the task
  1. Upload or extract the package.
  2. Confirm index entry points exist.
  3. Keep credentials offline until install.

Notes / pitfalls: Partial uploads cause missing assets and blank pages.

Database ready

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 3 — Database ready. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 3

What this screen is

Create an empty MySQL database and user for the installer.

What you see

Database panel with DB name and user.

Field / control guide
  • Database name: Create a dedicated DB for this site.
  • DB user: Grant full rights on that database only.
  • Host: Usually 127.0.0.1 / localhost on the same VPS.
How to complete the task
  1. Create DB and user in Contabo / MySQL panel (or local MySQL for XAMPP).
  2. Save host, name, user, password.
  3. Do not reuse production DBs.

Notes / pitfalls: Wrong credentials fail Artisan migrate / app boot — fix .env DB_* values.

Domain and DNS

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 4 — Domain and DNS. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 4

What this screen is

Point the domain (e.g. soq.edu.sg or subdomain) at the hosting account.

What you see

DNS / domain mapping screen.

Field / control guide
  • A / CNAME: Point apex or www A/AAAA records to your Contabo VPS IP (or local hosts for XAMPP).
  • SSL: Issue Let's Encrypt or host SSL after DNS propagates.
  • WWW: Decide canonical host and redirect the other.
How to complete the task
  1. Update DNS.
  2. Wait for propagation.
  3. Enable SSL.

Notes / pitfalls: Installer cookies fail if you mix http and https hosts.

Installer environment

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 5 — Installer environment. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 5

What this screen is

Open the installer URL and pass environment checks.

What you see

Installer permission / extension checklist.

Field / control guide
  • Writable paths: Fix any red permission items.
  • PHP limits: Raise upload/memory if flagged.
  • Continue: Proceed only when all checks are green.
How to complete the task
  1. Open the site URL.
  2. Fix failed checks.
  3. Continue to .env DB settings and Artisan migrate (see Installation).

Notes / pitfalls: Ignoring red items leads to failed migrations.

Ready for install

Illustrative screenshot “ Preparing ” Step 6 — Ready for install. Screenshot controls in this image are not clickable and may not match the current live UI.

Preparing — Step 6

What this screen is

Final confirmation that files, DB, and SSL are ready for installation.

What you see

Summary checklist before migrate + seed (see Installation).

Field / control guide
  • Admin email: Prepare the first admin account email.
  • Feature activation: Configure optional modules under Admin → Settings / Features.
  • Backup: Snapshot or backup empty DB before first install.
How to complete the task
  1. Confirm checklist complete.
  2. Proceed to the Installation guide (migrate + seed — no SQL dump import).
  3. No feature activation step on this build — continue with Installation.

Notes / pitfalls: If a module is missing, enable it under Admin → Features / Settings (Activations UI is not used).

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