InvoicePlane is an open-source, self-hosted application for managing quotes, invoices, and payments based on PHP. It is designed from the ground up to allow business owners to create and manage and track their business quotes, invoices, and client payments. When deciding on free open-source quotes, invoices, and payment platforms, don’t ignore InvoicePlane. This free open-source invoicing and payment platform based on PHP can get the job done. This post covers installing the latest version of InvoicePlane, which at the time is  v1.5.5.

How to install InvoicePlane on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support

As described above, InvoicePlane is an open-source, self-hosted application for managing quotes, invoices, and payments based on PHP.

Install Apache

InvoicePlane requires a webserver to function and the most popular web server in use today is Apache. So, go and install Apache2 on Ubuntu by running the commands below: Next, run the commands below to stop, start and enable the Apache2 service to always start up with the server boots.

Install MariaDB

InvoicePlane also requires a database server to function, and the MariaDB database server is a great place to start. To install it run the commands below. After installing, the commands below can be used to stop, start and enable the MariaDB service to always start up when the server boots. After that, run the commands below to secure the MariaDB server. When prompted, answer the questions below by following the guide.

Enter current password for root (enter for none): Just press the Enter Set root password? [Y/n]: Y New password: Enter password Re-enter new password: Repeat password Remove anonymous users? [Y/n]: Y Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n]: Y Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n]:  Y Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n]:  Y

PHP 7.1 isn’t available on Ubuntu’s default repositories. To install it, you will have to get it from third-party repositories. Run the commands below to add the below third party repository to upgrade to PHP 7.1 Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.1 Run the commands below to install PHP 7.1 and related modules. After installing PHP 7.1, run the commands below to open the PHP-FPM default file. Then make the change to the following lines below in the file and save.

Create InvoicePlane Database

Now that you’ve installed all the packages that are required, continue below to start configuring the servers. First, go and create a blank InvoicePlane database. Run the commands below to log on to the database server. When prompted for a password, type the root password you created above. Then create a database called invplanedb Create a database user called invplaneuser with a new password Then grant invplaneuser full access to the database. Finally, save your changes and exit.

Download InvoicePlane Latest Release

Next, visit the InvoicePlane site and download the latest version. After downloading, run the commands below to create a root directory for InvoicePlane and extract the downloaded file into the Apache2 root directory. Next, run the commands below to create InvoicePlane default config and .htaccess files. Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for InvoicePlane to function.

Configure Apache2

Finally, configure the Apahce2 virtual host configuration file for InvoicePlane. This file will control how users access InvoicePlane content. Run the commands below to create a new configuration file called invoiceplane.conf Then copy and paste the content below into the file and save it. Replace the highlighted line with your domain name and directory root location. Save the file and exit.

Enable the InvoicePlane

After configuring the Virtual Host above, enable it by running the commands below To load all the settings above, restart Apache2 by running the commands below. Then open your browser and browse to the server domain name. You should see the InvoicePlane setup wizard complete. Please follow the wizard carefully. Then follow the on-screen instructions. you will be asked to input your database configuration, administrative details, and other configuration settings. When complete you may sign in and start using InvoicePlane.