How to Install aaPanel on Linux: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide (2026)

aaPanel is one of the most accessible, visual, and modular open-source server control panels in 2026. Designed with a flexible “App Store” architecture, aaPanel allows you to install only the packages you need—whether that is a 1-click LNMP (Nginx) or LAMP (Apache) stack, Redis cache, FTP server, Docker manager, or Node.js runtime—all managed from an intuitive graphical web interface.

In this beginner-friendly tutorial, you will learn how to prepare your Linux server, run the automated aaPanel installer, configure firewall security, and launch your first website.

Direct Answer: How Do You Install aaPanel on Linux?

Direct Answer: To install aaPanel on a clean Linux server, connect via SSH as root and run the official installation script for your distribution (e.g., on Ubuntu: wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install-ubuntu_6.0_en.sh && sudo bash install.sh aapanel). When finished, copy the unique login URL, username, and password displayed in your terminal, and select your preferred LNMP or LAMP stack upon initial login.

System Requirements & Prerequisites

Step 1: Connect to Server & Update System Packages

Connect to your server via SSH:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Update system packages to ensure complete dependency compatibility:

For Ubuntu / Debian:

apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt install -y wget curl

For AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux:

dnf update -y
dnf install -y wget curl

Step 2: Run the Official aaPanel Installation Script

Execute the corresponding automated installation script for your Linux distribution:

Ubuntu / Deepin:

wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install-ubuntu_6.0_en.sh && sudo bash install.sh aapanel

Debian:

wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install-ubuntu_6.0_en.sh && bash install.sh aapanel

AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux / RHEL / CentOS:

yum install -y wget && wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install_6.0_en.sh && bash install.sh aapanel

During the script execution, the installer will ask if you wish to install aaPanel to the default /www directory: type y and press Enter.

Step 3: Open Required Firewall Ports

Ensure port 8888 (and standard web ports 80/443) are allowed in your firewall (UFW/Firewalld) and cloud security groups:

sudo ufw allow 8888/tcp
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 21/tcp
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
sudo ufw --force enable

Step 4: Initial Login & One-Click Web Stack Selection

1. Open your unique aaPanel security URL in your web browser.

2. Enter the admin credentials provided at the end of the installation.

3. Upon first login, aaPanel presents a One-Click Environment Setup Modal:

• LNMP (Recommended): Nginx + MySQL/MariaDB + PHP 8.2/8.3 + phpMyAdmin + Pure-FTPd (Best for speed and high traffic).
• LAMP: Apache + MySQL + PHP + phpMyAdmin (Best for traditional .htaccess rewrite rule compatibility).

Select LNMP and click One-click Install (select Fast / RPM mode for instant deployment, or Compiled mode for tailored performance).

Step 5: Deploying Your First Website with Free SSL

1. Click Website in the left navigation menu.
2. Click Add site.
3. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com).
4. Select your preferred PHP version and choose Create Database.
5. Click Submit.
6. Click on the newly created domain name, navigate to the SSL tab, select Let’s Encrypt, and click Apply to enable automated HTTPS encryption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)