# Deployment checklist

1. Back up the existing application and database.
2. Upload the release over HTTPS-capable hosting.
3. Configure `DB_HOST`, `DB_NAME`, `DB_USER`, `DB_PASS`, `APP_ENV=production` and a strong random `APP_KEY` in the server environment.
4. For a new database, import `database/schema/college_erp_current.sql`. For an upgrade, run `php bin/migrate.php`.
5. Run `php bin/create_admin.php` when the installation has no System Administrator.
6. Run `php bin/check_integrity.php` and resolve any non-zero results.
7. Confirm Apache allows `.htaccess`. For Nginx, adapt `docs/nginx-skulitech.conf.example` to reproduce the same private-folder, sensitive-file and upload-execution restrictions.
8. Ensure PHP can write only to required upload and private storage folders.
9. Test applicant, registrar, teacher, finance, examinations and administrator workflows before enabling real users.
10. Configure a separate encrypted full-database backup process and test restoration.
