How to Install InvoicePlane on Ubuntu Linux with Apache2

This article describes steps one can take to install InvoicePlane on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support.

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 create and manage and track their business quotes, invoices and client payments.

When deciding on free open-source quotes, invoices and payment platform, 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 webserver in use today is Apache. So, go and install Apache2 on Ubuntu by running the commands below:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

Next, run the commands below to stop, start and enable Apache2 service to always start up with the server boots.

sudo systemctl stop apache2.service
sudo systemctl start apache2.service
sudo systemctl enable apache2.service

Install MariaDB

InvoicePlane also requires a database server to function, and MariaDB database server is a great place to start.

To install it run the commands below.

sudo apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client

After installing, the commands below can be used to stop, start and enable MariaDB service to always start up when the server boots.

sudo systemctl stop mysql.service
sudo systemctl start mysql.service
sudo systemctl enable mysql.service

After that, run the commands below to secure MariaDB server.

sudo mysql_secure_installation

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

Install PHP 7.1 and Related Modules

PHP 7.1 isn’t available on Ubuntu default repositories. In order 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

sudo apt-get install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.1

sudo apt update

Run the commands below to install PHP 7.1 and related modules.

sudo apt install php7.1 libapache2-mod-php7.1 php7.1-common php7.1-mbstring php7.1-xmlrpc php7.1-soap php7.1-gd php7.1-xml php7.1-intl php7.1-mysql php7.1-cli php7.1-mcrypt php7.1-zip php7.1-curl

After install PHP 7.1, run the commands below to open PHP-FPM default file.

sudo nano /etc/php/7.1/apache2/php.ini

Then make the change the following lines below in the file and save.

file_uploads = On
allow_url_fopen = On
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
max_execution_time = 360
date.timezone = America/Chicago

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 logon to the database server. When prompted for a password, type the root password you created above.

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then create a database called invplanedb

CREATE DATABASE invplanedb;

Create a database user called invplaneuser with new password

CREATE USER 'invplaneuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'new_password_here';

Then grant invplaneuser full access to the database.

GRANT ALL ON invplanedb.* TO 'invplaneuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'user_password_here' WITH GRANT OPTION;

Finally, save your changes and exit.

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Download InvoicePlane Latest Release

Next, visit 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 Apache2 root directory.

cd /tmp && wget -c -O v1.5.5.zip 
unzip v1.5.5.zip
sudo mv ip /var/www/html/invoiceplane

Next, run the commands below to create InvoicePlane default config and .htaccess files.

sudo cp /var/www/html/invoiceplane/ipconfig.php.example /var/www/html/invoiceplane/ipconfig.php
sudo cp /var/www/html/invoiceplane/htaccess /var/www/html/invoiceplane/.htaccess

Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for InvoicePlane to function.

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/invoiceplane/
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/invoiceplane/

Configure Apache2

Finally, configure 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

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/invoiceplane.conf

Then copy and paste the content below into the file and save it. Replace the highlighted line with your own domain name and directory root location.

<VirtualHost *:80>
     ServerAdmin [email protected]
     DocumentRoot /var/www/html/invoiceplane
     ServerName example.com
     ServerAlias www.example.com

     <Directory /var/www/html/invoiceplane/>
        Options +FollowSymlinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
     </Directory>

     ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
     CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined

</VirtualHost>

Save the file and exit.

Enable the InvoicePlane

After configuring the Virtual Host above, enable it by running the commands below

sudo a2ensite invoiceplane.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite

To load all the settings above, restart Apache2 by running the commands below.

sudo systemctl restart apache2.service

Then open your browser and browse to the server domain name. You should see InvoicePlane setup wizard to 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.