# Installation & Deployment Guide

Follow these steps to deploy the **School Management System** to your live server.

## 1. Uploading Files
1.  Upload the `.zip` file to your server's root directory (usually `public_html`).
2.  Extract the contents of the `.zip` file.

## 2. Essential File Renaming
For security and functionality, you must rename the following files to include a dot (`.`) at the beginning:
*   Rename `env` to **`.env`**
*   Rename `htaccess` to **`.htaccess`**

## 3. Database Setup & SQL Import
1.  Create a new MySQL Database and User on your hosting panel (cPanel/DirectAdmin).
2.  Open **phpMyAdmin**, select your new database, and click the **"Import"** tab.
3.  Choose the SQL file located at **`database/school.sql`** and click **"Go"** or **"Import"**.
4.  Open the **`.env`** file in a text editor and update your database details:
    ```env
    DB_HOST=localhost
    DB_NAME=your_database_name
    DB_USER=your_database_user
    DB_PASS=your_database_password
    ```

## 4. First Login
Once the files are uploaded and the database is connected:

1.  Open your website URL in a browser.
2.  Login with the **Default Administrator Credentials**:
    *   **Email:** `admin@school.com`
    *   **Password:** `password123`

## 5. Important Security Step
> **CRITICAL:** After your first successful login, please go to **"My Profile"** or **"Users"** and change your administrator **Email** and **Password** immediately for security purposes.

## 6. Server Requirements
*   **PHP:** 8.1 or higher
*   **Extensions:** PDO, CURL, MBString, GD, Zip

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*For support or technical assistance, please contact the development team.*
