FreeWebPanel Free Core is the public entry point for a real Linux hosting business: install on a clean Ubuntu server, create hosting accounts, publish websites, manage mail, SQL, files, domains, SSL, security, backups, updates, and customer workspaces, then grow into official Pro or support when the server starts earning.
This GitHub repository now includes the first buildable Free Core control-plane source, alongside installs, documentation, videos, and safe project discovery. The official release bundle, update channel, Pro licensing, paid support, commercial response, and protected runtime assets are served from freewebpanel.com.
The source boundary is deliberate: public Core code is testable here, while Pro automation, payment settlement, signing keys, customer data, private themes, and production inventory remain outside the repository.
Hosting should not start with a license bill before a server has customers. FreeWebPanel gives server owners and hosting providers a clean Free Core path first:
- Install on a clean server.
- Create hosting accounts and customer workspaces.
- Launch real websites with DNS, SSL, files, email, SQL, and backups.
- Keep security updates moving without paying extra for basic patch flow.
- Add official Pro/support when the hosting business needs it.
Use a clean Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server with a DNS-only hostname pointed at the server IP.
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ResearchForumOnline/FreeWebPanel/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- \
--hostname panel.example.com \
--email admin@example.com \
--server-profile providerAfter installation:
- Admin panel:
https://panel.example.com:2087/admin/login - User panel:
https://panel.example.com:2083/user/login - Credentials file on the server:
/root/THCZ_PANEL_CREDENTIALS.txt
Full install guide: docs/INSTALL.md
| Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Latest GitHub source archive | Download ZIP |
| GitHub releases | FreeWebPanel releases |
| Official release channel | docs/RELEASE_CHANNEL.md |
| Install guide | docs/INSTALL.md |
| Feature map | docs/FEATURE_MAP.md |
| Provider operations | docs/PROVIDER_OPERATIONS.md |
FreeWebPanel is designed to be found by people searching for a free hosting control panel, self-hosted web panel, cPanel alternative, DirectAdmin alternative, Linux hosting panel, free web hosting panel, DNS and SSL hosting control panel, mail and SQL panel, and provider-ready hosting automation.
- Buildable Free Core source
- Install guide
- Downloads, releases, and updates
- Feature map
- Softaculous bridge
- Provider operations guide
- Migration and panel takeover center
- Official release channel
- Roadmap
- Changelog
- Contributing
- Security policy
| Area | Included |
|---|---|
| Accounts | Hosting account creation, customer workspaces, admin/user panels |
| Websites | Document roots, site launch checks, file manager, upload, edit, move, delete, extract |
| Domains | DNS records, aliases, subdomains, nameserver guidance, AutoSSL and redirects |
| Mailboxes, forwards, webmail launchers, SPF/DKIM/DMARC-style deliverability checks | |
| SQL | Database workflows, users, phpMyAdmin/Adminer launcher flow |
| Installers | Built-in app installers plus optional provider-owned Softaculous bridge |
| Security | Guarded file writes, firewall guidance, lockout safety, service checks, update lane |
| Updates | Automatic FreeWebPanel core checks plus manual admin update route |
| Themes | Light, Dark, Midnight, and official compiled runtime panel themes |
| Growth | Free Core first, official Pro/support when the hosting business needs it |
Feature map: docs/FEATURE_MAP.md
cd core/api
npm install
npm test
npm run buildThe current source slice implements the unprivileged control-plane foundation: clean owner initialization, secure sessions, customer accounts, domain validation, constrained site-root creation, and auditable state. The hosted installer remains the supported route for the broader compiled panel while privileged web, mail, DNS, SQL, and certificate workers are prepared for separate public review.
This is the wider ecosystem overview for TalkToAI, ZeroThink, OpenZero, local-first infrastructure, and the connected product stack that FreeWebPanel sits beside.
More media and future video ideas: docs/VIDEOS.md
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS - production install lane.
- AlmaLinux / RockyLinux / RHEL-family - preflight validation today, RPM/dnf lane planned.
- ZeroMint AIOS / OpenZero AIOS - compatibility wrapper for AIOS servers.
- Existing panel replacement - preflight and guarded takeover planning for hosts moving away from legacy panels.
FreeWebPanel is built for hosts that want a stronger control panel without rebuilding the whole server estate. The takeover path is designed to keep the same server and public IP where the current server state allows it, then replace the old panel workflow with FreeWebPanel accounts, domains, DNS, SSL, file manager, mail, SQL, backups, security checks, and updates.
Start here: docs/migrations/README.md
Panel-specific takeover guides:
- cPanel / WHM to FreeWebPanel
- Control Web Panel / CWP to FreeWebPanel
- DirectAdmin to FreeWebPanel
- Plesk to FreeWebPanel
- CyberPanel to FreeWebPanel
- HestiaCP / VestaCP to FreeWebPanel
- Webmin / Virtualmin to FreeWebPanel
- ISPConfig to FreeWebPanel
- aaPanel to FreeWebPanel
- Generic panel takeover
Takeover always starts with preflight and verified off-server backups. FreeWebPanel should stop for operator review when it cannot safely map a service.
Create DNS-only A records before running the installer:
panel.example.com -> your server IPv4
ns1.panel.example.com -> your server IPv4
ns2.panel.example.com -> your server IPv4
If using Cloudflare, keep these records DNS only / grey cloud. Do not proxy the panel hostname or nameserver hostnames.
- Website: https://freewebpanel.com/
- GitHub: https://github.com/ResearchForumOnline/FreeWebPanel
- ZSEC Auto Updates: https://github.com/ResearchForumOnline/ZSEC
- ZSEC public page: https://talktoai.org/zsec/
- Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@quantumzero101/videos
- TalkToAI: https://talktoai.org/
- OpenZero AIOS: https://openzero.talktoai.org/
- Project links: docs/PROJECT_LINKS.md
Free Core is public and installable from GitHub. Pro features, official licensing, paid support, branded releases, update signing, and commercial support are controlled by freewebpanel.com.
Only FreeWebPanel.com is authorised to sell official FreeWebPanel licenses, Pro access, hosted update services, and support. Hosting providers can use Free Core on their own servers, but they may not sell unofficial FreeWebPanel licenses or represent themselves as the official vendor.
The public installer does not publish private theme source. Installed servers receive compiled/minified runtime assets only. See docs/THEME_ASSET_PROTECTION.md and docs/LICENSING_AND_PROTECTION.md.
For project maintainers who want cleaner local pushes, signed commits, and SSH remotes, see:
FreeWebPanel is a hosting control panel and should be installed only on a clean server you control. Do not run public install commands on a production host until you have backups and have reviewed the flags you are using.
ZSEC Auto Updates is the companion Linux security updater from FreeWebPanel.com and TalkToAI. It focuses on security-only update checks, lockout-resistant SSH safety, and hardening support for Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, and Rocky Linux: ResearchForumOnline/ZSEC.
Security reports: SECURITY.md
This repo is intentionally public and useful, but it is not a dump of hidden production assets. It can include install wrappers, public docs, public diagrams, issue templates, and Free Core material. It should not include private Pro modules, private theme source, source maps, signing keys, license server internals, billing logic, customer data, server credentials, or hidden admin automation.
Free Core is distributed under the Apache License 2.0. FreeWebPanel names, logos, official service marks, Pro modules, paid licensing flows, update signing keys, commercial support channels, and official theme trade dress are not granted by the Apache license.