Quick Start - Fixing the install.php Redirect

Problem

WordPress apps on DO App Platform redirect to install.php because database URLs don't match app URLs.

Solution

Deploy the pre-configured wp-config.php files to fix URL mismatch.

Step-by-Step Deployment

1. Generate Security Keys (Required Before Deployment)

Each WordPress site needs unique security keys. Run this script to add them:

cd /home/cw/Documents/IBG_HUB/rmm-psa-devops/wordpress-templates

./add-security-keys.sh

Or manually for each file:

Visit: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/
Copy the generated keys
Replace the placeholder keys in each wp-config file

2. Deploy to DigitalOcean App Platform

Option A: Via DO Console (Recommended for Testing)

Go to DigitalOcean App Platform
Select your app (e.g., wordpress-performwritecom-7alzt)
Go to Console tab
Upload the wp-config file or edit directly:
nano wp-config.php
Paste the contents from the generated config file
Save and exit (Ctrl+X, Y, Enter)
App will automatically restart

Option B: Via GitHub/GitLab (For Automated Deployment)

Add wp-config.php to your WordPress repository
DO NOT commit to public repos - database password is in the file
Use private repository or environment variables instead
Push to trigger automatic deployment

Option C: Via doctl CLI

# Install doctl if not already installed
snap install doctl
 
# Authenticate
doctl auth init
 
# List apps
doctl apps list
 
# Get app ID for performwritecom
APP_ID="your-app-id-here"
 
# Deploy using app spec (create app spec with wp-config as build command)
doctl apps update $APP_ID --spec app-spec.yaml

3. Verify Deployment

After deploying wp-config.php:

Visit your app URL: https://wordpress-performwritecom-7alzt.ondigitalocean.app
Should see WordPress site (not install.php redirect)
Test wp-admin: https://wordpress-performwritecom-7alzt.ondigitalocean.app/wp-admin
Login with existing WordPress credentials

Generated Config Files

All wp-config.php files are located in:

/home/cw/Documents/IBG_HUB/rmm-psa-devops/wordpress-templates/configs/

File List (16 sites):

Config File	Database	Domain	Status
wp-config-collegeo_wp.php	collegeo_wp	comsmta.org	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-coomerawatersrea_wp.php	coomerawatersrea_wp	coomerawatersrealestate.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-corne582_wp.php	corne582_wp	cornerstone-constructions.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-handsofd_wp.php	handsofd_wp	www.handsofdestiny.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-kandudeliveriesc_wp.php	kandudeliveriesc_wp	kandudeliveries.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-laserxperts_wp.php	laserxperts_wp	laser-x-perts.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-murbahmowers_wp.php	murbahmowers_wp	murwillumbahmowers.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-murwillu_wp.php	murwillu_wp	murwillumbahchamber.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-outdoor1_wp.php	outdoor1_wp	outdoorism.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-path2ucom_wp.php	path2ucom_wp	path2u.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-performwritecom_wp.php	performwritecom_wp	www.performwrite.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-pits_wp.php	pits_wp	preciseitservices.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-redheale_wp.php	redheale_wp	redhealer.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-sfnm_wp.php	sfnm_wp	supportfornewmums.info	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-soilife_wp.php	soilife_wp	soilifefarming.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys
wp-config-vastcons_wp.php	vastcons_wp	www.vastconstructions.com.au	⚠️ Needs security keys

What Each Config File Does

Database Connection: Connects to DigitalOcean MySQL cluster with SSL
Environment Detection: Automatically detects if running on:
- DO App Platform (*.ondigitalocean.app) → uses app URL
- Production domain → uses original domain
Table Prefix: Auto-detected from database (e.g., xfwlw_, wp_, etc.)
Debug Mode: Enabled on staging, disabled on production
Security: Forces SSL, disables file editing, enables auto-updates

Testing Checklist

After deploying each wp-config.php:

Site loads without install.php redirect

Frontend pages display correctly

wp-admin login works

Images/media display correctly

Plugins function properly

Theme displays properly

Forms work

No PHP errors in logs

Troubleshooting

Still Redirects to install.php

Check:

wp-config.php uploaded correctly
File permissions are correct (644)
Environment detection logic is working
Database connection is successful

Debug:

// Add to wp-config.php temporarily to see current environment
var_dump($_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']);
var_dump(WP_HOME);
var_dump(WP_SITEURL);
die();

Database Connection Errors

Check:

Database credentials are correct
SSL is enabled (MYSQLI_CLIENT_SSL)
MySQL cluster is accessible from App Platform
Database name matches exactly

Test connection:

// Add before require_once ABSPATH . 'wp-settings.php';
$link = mysqli_connect(
    DB_HOST,
    DB_USER,
    DB_PASSWORD,
    DB_NAME,
    null,
    null,
    MYSQL_CLIENT_FLAGS
);
if (!$link) {
    die('Database connection failed: ' . mysqli_connect_error());
}
echo 'Database connected successfully!';
mysqli_close($link);
die();

White Screen / 500 Error

Check:

PHP syntax errors in wp-config.php
File permissions
App Platform logs for error details

View logs:

doctl apps logs $APP_ID --type=run

Next Steps After Deployment

✅ Deploy wp-config to all 16 apps
✅ Test each app
🔄 Set up DigitalOcean Spaces CDN
🔄 Migrate static assets to CDN
🔄 Update DNS to point to App Platform
🔄 Add sites to RMM dashboard

Security Notes

⚠️ IMPORTANT:

DO NOT commit wp-config.php files to public repositories (database password is in plain text)
DO use environment variables for sensitive data in production
DO generate unique security keys for each site
DO keep .gitignore updated to exclude wp-config.php
DO rotate database passwords periodically

Support Resources

Last Updated: February 17, 2026