Quick Start Guide

OpenSRS Cloud Hosting is currently in closed beta and is available only to participating resellers. To sign up for Cloud Hosting, visit opensrs.com/hosting

OpenSRS Cloud Hosting is a cloud hosting service where each site runs in its own container in AWS.

Getting your site live is as easy as Create → Build → Launch. Here's how:

Create Your Site

1. Add a new site
   In the Hosting Manager, click Add Site.
2. Name your site and choose an application
   Enter a site name and select your application.
   See: Application Types
3. Complete your setup
   Optionally add a custom domain.
   If you selected WordPress, choose a setup method.
   See: WordPress Setup Guide
4. Wait for provisioning
   Your site will enter Processing status for a few minutes while we provision your cloud container and install your application.

Build and Preview

5. Enter Draft mode
   Once provisioning is complete, your site moves to Draft mode.
   This is where you build your site and preview it using the default URL we generate.
6. Share a preview with clients
   Draft mode preview URLs are token-protected to prevent unauthorized access.
   Use the Share Preview link to generate a time-limited token you can pass along to clients for review.
   See: Draft Mode Guide

Note: In Draft mode, all site-building features are available, but your custom domain's DNS will not resolve publicly, and direct access to the preview URL requires a valid token.

Launch & Go Live

7. Add your custom domain
   If you didn't add a domain during setup, add one now from the Overview tab.
   A custom domain is required before you can activate your site.
8. Set up SSL/TLS
   In the Overview tab, click to Configure SSL/TLS for your custom domain.
   Add the required _acme-challenge CNAME record at your DNS provider.
9. Activate your site
   Once you've added the CNAME record, confirm that action in the Hosting Manager.
   Your site will move to Active status.
   The token-gated preview URL is replaced with a new default URL, access restrictions are lifted, and your domain will resolve if DNS is pointed to us.
10. SSL/TLS issuance
    We'll monitor your DNS for the _acme-challenge CNAME record.
    Once verified, your certificate is issued and installed automatically - no further action needed.
    A green shield beside your domain name confirms the certificate is in place.
11. Point your DNS to us
    When you're ready, update your domain's DNS to point to OpenSRS Cloud Hosting:
    1. New site? You can point DNS as soon as your site is Active.
    2. Existing/live site? Wait for the green shield before pointing DNS to avoid any downtime during the certificate issuance.

Note: DNS changes may take up to a few hours to propagate depending on the TTL set at your registrar. In most cases, correctly saved records propagate within three to four hours.

Next Steps

Once your site is Active:

• Log in to WordPress at:
  • yourdomain.com/wp-admin
  • yourdomain.com/wp-login.php
  • You can also log into WP Admin directly from the Hosting Manager.
• Connect via SFTP to upload files. See: SFTP Guide
• Access your database via phpMyAdmin.
• Explore all features of the Hosting Manager. See: Hosting Manager Overview

This document contains confidential and proprietary information intended solely for the use of OpenSRS Cloud Hosting customers. Unauthorized distribution, reproduction, or disclosure of any part of this document is strictly prohibited.