# ❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS **Answers to common questions about cPanel installation** --- ## INSTALLATION QUESTIONS ### Q1: Where do I get the project files? **A:** You should have a folder called `Trust Tax Advisor` with all the files. This folder contains: - `backend/` - Server code - `frontend/` - Website code - `database/schema.sql` - Database structure - Documentation files ### Q2: How long does installation take? **A:** 30-60 minutes total: - Upload files: 5-10 minutes - Database setup: 5 minutes - Configuration: 5-10 minutes - Node.js setup: 10-15 minutes - Testing: 5 minutes ### Q3: Can a non-technical person do this? **A:** Yes! Just follow the step-by-step guides carefully. No coding knowledge needed. ### Q4: What if I make a mistake? **A:** Don't worry! Most things can be fixed: - Wrong `.env` values? Just re-edit the file - Import failed? Delete tables and import again - App won't start? Click restart --- ## FILE UPLOAD QUESTIONS ### Q5: Why is FileZilla needed? **A:** FileZilla is the easiest way to upload many files at once. Without it, you'd need to upload 100+ files individually via cPanel File Manager. ### Q6: My upload keeps failing - what do I do? **A:** - Check your internet connection - Disconnect and reconnect FileZilla - Try uploading smaller chunks - Check FTP credentials are correct - Ask hosting provider to check FTP limits ### Q7: How do I know the upload is complete? **A:** - FileZilla shows 0 files remaining - Go to cPanel File Manager - Navigate to public_html - You should see `Trust Tax Advisor` folder with all contents ### Q8: Can I delete and re-upload if something goes wrong? **A:** Yes! Just: 1. Right-click folder in FileZilla 2. Select "Delete" 3. Upload again from fresh --- ## DATABASE QUESTIONS ### Q9: What if I create the wrong database name? **A:** - Go to cPanel → MySQL Databases - Delete the wrong database - Create a new one with correct name: `fmpdcrei_tta1` - Import schema.sql again ### Q10: What's the database password? **A:** You set it yourself during creation. For this guide, it's: ``` fmpdcrei_tta1 ``` Keep it safe! ### Q11: How many tables should I have after import? **A:** 12 tables: 1. users 2. connectors 3. clients 4. services 5. orders 6. leads 7. commissions 8. documents 9. form_templates 10. form_responses 11. otp_logs 12. audit_logs ### Q12: What does "ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE" mean? **A:** It just means the default admin user will be created only once, even if schema.sql is imported multiple times. ### Q13: Can I modify the database? **A:** Not recommended for beginners. If you need to: - Add fields: Use cPanel → phpMyAdmin - Delete records: Use cPanel → phpMyAdmin - Contact developer for complex changes --- ## .ENV FILE QUESTIONS ### Q14: What is the .env file? **A:** A secret file that stores sensitive information: - Database password - Email password - WhatsApp API keys - Secret codes **NEVER share this file with anyone!** ### Q15: Where do I find .env? **A:** It should be in: `backend/.env` - It's a hidden file (starts with dot) - Might not show up by default - check File Manager settings ### Q16: What if I delete .env by mistake? **A:** 1. Copy `.env.example` again 2. Rename to `.env` 3. Fill in all values again 4. Save ### Q17: What does "CORS_ORIGIN" mean? **A:** It tells the backend which websites can access it. Set it to your domain: ``` CORS_ORIGIN=https://yourdomain.com ``` ### Q18: Why is JWT_SECRET important? **A:** It's the code that signs your login tokens. Make it random and strong: ``` JWT_SECRET=aB3xYz9kLm2pQr5sT7uVwXyZ1aBcD4eF5gH6iJ7kL8mN9oP0qRsT ``` ### Q19: Can I use my Gmail for SMTP? **A:** For this guide, we use: ``` noreply@trusttaxadvisor.com ``` Yes, you CAN use Gmail, but requires "App Password" from Google. --- ## NODE.JS QUESTIONS ### Q20: What is Node.js? **A:** It's the software that runs your backend server. cPanel manages it for you. ### Q21: Why do I need to click "NPM Install"? **A:** It downloads all the code libraries your application needs (like database drivers, email libraries, etc.). ### Q22: How long does NPM Install take? **A:** 5-15 minutes depending on internet speed. Be patient! ### Q23: What if NPM Install fails? **A:** 1. Click Restart app 2. Wait 2 minutes 3. Try NPM Install again 4. If still fails, contact hosting provider ### Q24: Can I stop the Node.js app? **A:** Yes, but then your website won't work. Only stop it for: - Maintenance - Updates - Troubleshooting ### Q25: How do I restart the app? **A:** 1. Go to Setup Node.js App 2. Find your app 3. Click Restart 4. Wait 1-2 minutes --- ## SSL/HTTPS QUESTIONS ### Q26: What is SSL? **A:** It's the security certificate that makes your website HTTPS (encrypted). ### Q27: Is SSL required? **A:** Yes! Modern websites need HTTPS. Use cPanel AutoSSL (it's FREE). ### Q28: How long does SSL take to activate? **A:** Usually 1-5 minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours. ### Q29: Why does my browser say "Not Secure"? **A:** - SSL not installed yet - wait 5 minutes and refresh - SSL certificate expired - use AutoSSL again - Check in incognito window (clears browser cache) ### Q30: Can I use a different SSL certificate? **A:** Yes, but AutoSSL is recommended. It's free and automatic. --- ## LOGIN & TESTING QUESTIONS ### Q31: What are the default admin credentials? **A:** - Mobile: `918733870977` - Email: `admin@trusttaxadvisor.com` ### Q32: How do I receive the OTP? **A:** It's sent via WhatsApp to `918733870977`. Make sure that WhatsApp account is active and has internet. ### Q33: What if I don't have access to that WhatsApp number? **A:** Try email login instead: 1. Click "Login with Email" 2. Enter: `admin@trusttaxadvisor.com` 3. Wait for email with OTP 4. Enter OTP ### Q34: The API/health check shows an error, what does it mean? **A:** Your backend has a problem. Check: - Is database connected? (check `.env` credentials) - Is Node.js app running? (click restart) - Check error logs in cPanel ### Q35: Login page works but dashboard won't load? **A:** - Clear browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+Delete) - Try private/incognito window - Check internet connection - Wait 1 minute and try again --- ## API & TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ### Q36: What is /api/health? **A:** It's a test endpoint that checks if your backend is working. Should return: ```json {"status": "ok", "timestamp": "2026-03-18T..."} ``` ### Q37: What does "JSON" mean? **A:** It's a format for showing data. Looks like: ```json { "key": "value", "number": 123, "status": "ok" } ``` ### Q38: What does "CORS error" mean? **A:** Frontend can't reach backend. Make sure: - Backend URL is correct (usually yourdomain.com) - CORS_ORIGIN in .env matches your domain - Node.js app is running ### Q39: What is a port? **A:** It's a communication channel. Different ports: - 80: HTTP (old) - 443: HTTPS (new) - 3000: Development - cPanel handles this automatically ### Q40: Can I change the port? **A:** Not recommended. cPanel sets it automatically. Changing it requires advanced knowledge. --- ## TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS ### Q41: Files uploaded but website doesn't load? **A:** 1. Check if domain is pointing to public_html 2. Check if Node.js app is running 3. Check cPanel error logs 4. Wait 5 minutes for DNS to propagate ### Q42: Node.js app won't start? **A:** Check in order: 1. Is startup file correct? (`backend/server.js`) 2. Is application root correct? (has full path) 3. Review `.env` file - are all fields correct? 4. Check error logs in cPanel ### Q43: Database connection fails? **A:** 1. Go to MySQL Databases 2. Verify user exists: `fmpdcrei_tta1` 3. Verify user has ALL permissions 4. Verify database exists: `fmpdcrei_tta1` 5. Try resetting user password ### Q44: OTP not received? **A:** - Verify mobile number is correct: `918733870977` - Check WhatsApp is active on that number - Try email login instead - Wait 3 minutes (API might be slow) - Restart Node.js app ### Q45: Can't edit .env file? **A:** - Make sure file is named `.env` (not `.env.txt`) - Right-click → Edit - Edit might show permission error - ask hosting provider - Try copying to `.env.temp`, editing, then renaming --- ## ACCOUNT & SECURITY QUESTIONS ### Q46: Is my data secure? **A:** - Use HTTPS (always) - Keep passwords safe - Don't share `.env` file - Regular backups ### Q47: Should I change the admin password? **A:** Yes! After first login: 1. Go to admin settings 2. Change admin password 3. Change admin email to your email 4. Use a strong password ### Q48: What if I forget the admin password? **A:** - You can't directly change it (no traditional password) - The OTP system is the login method - Make sure you have access to `918733870977` WhatsApp or `admin@trusttaxadvisor.com` email ### Q49: Can multiple people login? **A:** Yes! Create additional users from admin panel: - Client accounts - Connector accounts - Staff accounts - Admin accounts Each with their own credentials ### Q50: Is my email password secure? **A:** Your email password is stored in `.env` on the server. It's: - Encrypted by the server - Not shown in browser - Never sent to client - Keep it safe! --- ## SUPPORT & HELP QUESTIONS ### Q51: Where is the detailed guide? **A:** It's in: `CPANEL_INSTALLATION_GUIDE_NONDEVELOPER.md` - Read step-by-step - Follow each section - Check the checklist ### Q52: Where is the visual guide? **A:** It's in: `CPANEL_VISUAL_GUIDE.md` - Shows where to click - Shows what you should see - Helps with navigation ### Q53: Where is the quick checklist? **A:** It's in: `QUICK_INSTALLATION_CHECKLIST.md` - Print it - Check off each step - Use as reference during installation ### Q54: Who should I contact if something breaks? **A:** - **For cPanel issues**: Contact your hosting provider - **For website issues**: Contact the developer - **For database issues**: Contact your hosting provider - **For custom features**: Contact the developer ### Q55: Can I install this myself if I'm not technical? **A:** Absolutely! Just: 1. Read the guides carefully 2. Follow each step exactly 3. Take your time 4. Don't skip steps 5. If stuck, ask for help --- ## FINAL TIPS ### Pro Tip 1: Take Your Time - Don't rush - Read each instruction twice - Make sure you understand before clicking ### Pro Tip 2: Save Screenshots - Take screenshots after each step - Screenshot errors if they happen - Helpful for showing support if you need help ### Pro Tip 3: Keep Notes - Write down what you did - Note any errors - Keep credentials in safe place ### Pro Tip 4: Double-Check URLs - Wrong domain? Installation fails - Check domain spelling: `yourdomain.com` - Check it's HTTPS: `https://yourdomain.com` ### Pro Tip 5: Test Each Step - After upload - verify files in File Manager - After database - count 12 tables in phpMyAdmin - After configuration - edit .env and verify - After Node.js - wait and check error logs - After SSL - try both http and https - After restart - check /api/health endpoint - After login - try admin panel --- ## STILL CONFUSED? ### Step 1: Read the Main Guide 📖 `CPANEL_INSTALLATION_GUIDE_NONDEVELOPER.md` - Most thorough - Explains everything - Takes 30 minutes to read ### Step 2: Use the Visual Guide 📺 `CPANEL_VISUAL_GUIDE.md` - Shows screenshots/layouts - Shows where to click - Quick reference ### Step 3: Print the Checklist ✅ `QUICK_INSTALLATION_CHECKLIST.md` - Keep it handy - Check off each step - Don't skip anything ### Step 4: Get Help - Contact your hosting provider (for cPanel issues) - Contact the developer (for website issues) - Google the error message - Search in these FAQ answers --- **Thank you for using Trust Tax Advisor!** 🙏 Questions? Review these guides first, then reach out for help!