Linux xampp install

I can't get grav working on Ubuntu or any linux distro. I have installed XAMPP and unzipped a grav skeleton to htdocs but when I open it as a subdomain of localhost I get the following:

Fatal error: Uncaught exception 'RuntimeException' with message 'Creating directory '/opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/cache/compiled/files' failed on error mkdir(): Permission denied' in /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/vendor/rockettheme/toolbox/File/src/Fil e.php:400 Stack trace: #0 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/vendor/rockettheme/toolbox/File/src/Fil e.php(195): RocketTheme\Toolbox\File\File->mkdir('/opt/lampp/htdo...') #1 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/vendor/rockettheme/toolbox/File/src/Fil e.php(316): RocketTheme\Toolbox\File\File->lock() #2 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/vendor/rockettheme/toolbox/File/src/Php File.php(31): RocketTheme\Toolbox\File\File->save(Array) #3 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/system/src/Grav/Common/File/CompiledFil e.php(67): RocketTheme\Toolbox\File\PhpFile->save(Array) #4 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/system/src/Grav/Common/Config/Setup.php (163): Grav\Comm on\File\CompiledYamlFile->content() #5 /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/system/src/Grav/Common/Grav.php(213): Grav\Common\Config\Setup->init() #6 in /opt/lampp/htdocs/grav-onepage/vendor/rockettheme/toolbox/File/src/Fil e.php on line 400

Is there a quick fix for file permissions that needs to be run? Or do I have to wrestle with the apache config files?

This happens because you do not have permission to write in the htdocs folder. If I were you I would change the folder where to put Grav. In the Apache directory there should be these two folders, among other: sites-available and sites-enabled. The first is the 000-default.conf file, in the second a shortcut file to it. You should change the DocumentRoot directive with a path which you have write rights: for example, change /opt/lampp/htdocs/ in /home/<your-username>/htdocs. Same thing for the Directory directive. You must do this by Admin, so sudo -s, etc.

Why don't you take a look at one of our VPS hosting guides. This explains a simple way to get Grav running from a bare-bones vanilla install of Ubuntu in such a way that permissions are not an issue.

Just skip the VPS sign-up part and begin with the OS related section.

Thanks @rhukster I have it working using the linode instructions, although I have to point at localhost rather than http://linode.dev

My concern is that I am supposed to give remote help to some colleagues to install grav locally on their Macs. They are total novices in server management and this setup procedure will melt their brains!

I found that getting a local install of Grav using Xampp on windows is literally a 5 minute job. I understand that unix is a much more granular system for servers and security, but is there no way of making it a simple local install for Mac/Linux?

Linux in generally is not for newbies, but on Mac it's trivial to use Grav with MAMP. just works out of the box, no configuration required.

Just FYI, i don't use MAMP day-to-day myself, so wanted to test everything sill works with it.

1) Download MAMP (MAMP and MAMP Pro in one package) - https://www.mamp.info/en/downloads/

2) Install the package, and run MAMP (not MAMP Pro)

3) Leave configuration options as is (can turn on Opcache for better performance)

4) Start servers

5) Extract Grav download package (https://github.com/getgrav/grav/releases/download/1.0.10/grav-admin-v1.0.10.zip) into /Applications/MAMP/htdocs/ folder.

6) Rename Grav folder to grav

7) Point browser at http://localhost:8888/grav

Job done.

I think I might have broken my colleagues setup by telling him to use Xampp. I'll tell him to uninstall then try your instructions

Thanks for your help!