How to Install and Manage Packages in ServBay

ServBay is a powerful management tool for local web development environments. It allows developers to easily install, configure, and manage the various packages needed for web development, such as PHP, Node.js, Python, Go, and other language runtimes, in addition to databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, and web servers including Apache, Nginx, and Caddy. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to install and manage these packages in ServBay so that you can quickly set up your ideal development environment.

Overview

In ServBay, Packages refer to the software components used to build and run web applications. Through ServBay’s intuitive interface, you can easily browse the list of available packages, see their version information at a glance, and install or update them with a single click. ServBay supports installing multiple versions of the same package simultaneously, which is especially useful for testing your applications across different environments.

Steps to Install Packages

Installing packages in ServBay is straightforward and user-friendly. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open ServBay App:
   • Launch ServBay and navigate to the Packages page in the left-hand menu.
2. View Package List:
   • On the Packages page, you’ll see a list of all available packages. The list displays each package’s name, currently installed version, the latest available version, running status, and process ID (PID), etc.
3. Select the Package to Install:
   • Locate the package you want to install from the package list. If it’s not installed yet, the current version will be shown as -. ServBay supports installing, but is not limited to:
     • Language Runtimes: PHP (multi-version support), Node.js (multi-version support), Python (multi-version support), Go, Java, Ruby, Rust, .NET, etc.
     • Databases: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, and more.
     • Web Servers: Apache, Nginx, Caddy, plus others.
     • Other tools: Assorted developer utilities and libraries.
4. Click the Install Button:
   • On the far right side of a package that isn’t installed yet, there will be an Install button (usually with a green download icon). Click this button and ServBay will automatically download and install the latest version of the package.
5. Monitor the Installation Process:
   • The installation may take a few minutes, depending on the package size and your network speed. ServBay’s interface will display installation progress.
6. Installation Complete:
   • Once installation finishes, the package will automatically start (if it’s a service-type package like a database or web server) and its status will update to Running. The current version will also show the version number you’ve just installed.

Example: Installing PHP 7.1

Here’s how you would install the PHP 7.1 package:

1. Go to the Packages Page:
   • Open ServBay and click Packages in the left menu.
2. Find PHP 7.1:
   • Locate PHP 7.1 in the package list. The current version will show as -, indicating it’s not yet installed. The latest version might be something like 7.1.33.
3. Click the Install Button:
   • On the right side of the PHP 7.1 entry, click the Install button with the download icon.
4. Wait for Installation to Complete:
   • Once the installation starts, you’ll see a progress indicator. When finished, the current version for PHP 7.1 will update to 7.1.33 and its status will change to Running.

Figure: Example of the package installation interface in ServBay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if a package was successfully installed?

After the installation is complete, the current version of that package in the Packages list will update to the latest version number, and its status will change to Running. For services that are running, you’ll also see a process ID displayed in the PID column.

What should I do if I encounter an error during installation?

If you run into errors during installation, ServBay will display relevant error messages within the interface. Follow the troubleshooting prompts, such as checking your network connection or making sure you have enough disk space. If the problem persists, check ServBay’s FAQ documentation, or contact the ServBay support team via the Contact Us page.

Can I install multiple versions of a package at the same time?

Yes. One of ServBay’s key strengths is its ability to install and manage multiple versions of the same package (for example, several versions of PHP, Java, Node.js, etc.) at the same time. This lets you use the specific version required by each project. You can set the default version used by web servers in the Settings or relevant configuration pages, specify versions in a specific Website configuration, or use .servbay.config to set CLI versions for a project.

What if I encounter other issues during installation or usage?

If you have any issues installing, configuring, or using ServBay packages, it’s recommended to first consult ServBay’s official docs or the FAQ. You can also search the documentation for keywords related to your issue. If your problem remains unresolved, please seek technical support through the Contact Us page.

Summary

With ServBay’s Packages management feature, you can effortlessly and quickly install all the software components you need for your local development environment. Whether it’s web servers, databases, or language runtimes, ServBay allows you to get everything set up in one place. Once installation is complete, you can start configuring your Websites and launch your local development projects right away.