Getting Started

Getting Started with Flatboard 5

What is Flatboard 5?

Flatboard 5 is a modern, lightweight forum platform built with PHP 8.0+. It combines simplicity with powerful features, making it perfect for communities of all sizes.

Key Features

Flatboard 5 is a next-generation forum software that offers:

• Lightweight Architecture - JSON or SQLite storage, no heavy database required
• Modern PHP 8.0+ - Built with the latest PHP features and best practices
• MVC Pattern - Clean, maintainable code structure
• Plugin System - Extensible through a powerful plugin architecture
• Theme Support - Fully customizable themes
• Security First - Built-in CSRF protection, rate limiting, and input validation
• Multi-language - Support for multiple languages out of the box
• SEO Optimized - Complete SEO features with meta tags, structured data, and sitemaps
• Markdown Extra - Rich text formatting with Markdown Extra support
• Performance Optimized - Denormalized counters, Markdown caching, atomic file operations
• Dual Edition - Available in both Community (free) and Pro (paid) editions, both licensed under GPL3

System Requirements

Server Requirements

• Web Server: Apache 2.4+ (with mod_rewrite) or Nginx
• PHP Version: 8.0 or higher (8.1+ recommended)
• Disk Space: At least 100MB free space (more for uploads and content)

Required PHP Extensions

These extensions are mandatory for Flatboard 5 to function:

• json - JSON manipulation (usually included by default)
• mbstring - Full UTF-8 support for international characters
• openssl - Security features (encryption, HTTPS support)

Recommended PHP Extensions

These extensions enhance functionality but are not strictly required:

• fileinfo - Secure MIME type validation of uploaded files
• zip - ZIP archive content analysis
• pdo_sqlite - For SQLite storage (Pro edition only)
• gd or imagick - Avatar generation and image processing
• curl - For external API calls and updates

Checking Your PHP Configuration

You can check your PHP version and extensions using:

# Check PHP version
php -v

# List all loaded extensions
php -m

# Check specific extension
php -m | grep json
php -m | grep mbstring
php -m | grep openssl

Or create a temporary phpinfo.php file:

<?php
phpinfo();

Community vs Pro Edition

Flatboard 5 is available in two distinct editions:

Community Edition

Free (Forever) - Licensed under GPL3

Features:

• ✅ Complete Forum System - Full forum functionality
• ✅ User Management - Comprehensive user account system
• ✅ Discussion & Post System - Create and manage discussions and posts
• ✅ Core Plugins & Themes - Essential plugins and themes included
• ✅ REST API - API access for integration
• ✅ JSON Storage - File-based storage system (default)
• ✅ Complete Documentation - Full documentation access
• ✅ Open Source (GPL3) - Full source code access
• ✅ Community Support - Community-driven support
• ✅ Regular Updates - Free updates and improvements

Over 10 years of continuous development. Free and regularly updated for the community.

Pro Edition

€49 (One-time payment, no subscription) - Licensed under GPL3

Includes everything in Community Edition, plus:

• ✅ SQLite Storage - Database storage option for enhanced performance (Pro exclusive)
• ✅ Premium Plugin Pack - Private Messaging, Forum Monitoring, EasyPage, and more
• ✅ Premium Themes - Additional professional themes
• ✅ Advanced Analytics - Enhanced statistics and reporting features
• ✅ Extended API Features - Additional API endpoints and capabilities
• ✅ Priority Support - Direct support access
• ✅ 3 Years of Feature Updates - Guaranteed feature updates for 3 years
• ✅ No Subscription Required - One-time payment, no recurring fees

Installation Overview

The installation process is straightforward and typically takes 10-15 minutes:

1. Download - Get the latest Flatboard 5 release
2. Upload - Extract files to your web server
3. Set Permissions - Configure file and directory permissions
4. Run Installer - Follow the web-based installation wizard
5. Configure - Set up your site settings and admin account

Pre-Installation Checklist

Before starting the installation, verify:

• [ ] PHP 8.0+ is installed and active
• [ ] Required PHP extensions are enabled (json, mbstring, openssl)
• [ ] Web server is configured (Apache with mod_rewrite or Nginx)
• [ ] Write permissions are available for installation directory
• [ ] At least 100MB free disk space
• [ ] You have FTP/SFTP or shell access to your server
• [ ] You know your domain name and server paths

Next Steps

Once you've verified the requirements:

1. Read the Installation Guide - Detailed step-by-step instructions
2. Prepare Your Server - Ensure all prerequisites are met
3. Download Flatboard 5 - Get the latest release from flatboard.org

Common Questions

What is the difference between Community and Pro editions?

The main differences are:

• Storage: Community uses JSON storage, Pro includes SQLite storage option
• Plugins: Pro includes premium plugins (Private Messaging, Forum Monitoring, EasyPage)
• Themes: Pro includes additional premium themes
• Support: Pro includes priority support
• Price: Community is free, Pro costs €49 (one-time payment)

Both editions are open source under GPL3.

Can I run both versions side by side?

Yes, you can run Flatboard 4 and Flatboard 5 on different directories or subdomains. They are completely independent installations.

Resources

• Installation Guide - Step-by-step installation instructions
• Configuration Guide - Configure your forum settings
• Admin Panel Guide - Learn the administration interface

Last updated: February 23, 2026