# Requirements

> Before installing Dbmovies, make sure your server and your WordPress site meet these requirements. Most activation and import errors come from a server that cannot reach external services or is missing a PHP extension.

Source: https://doothemes.com/docs/dbmovies/requirements

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## Server requirements

- **WordPress 7.0** or higher, kept up to date.
- **PHP 8.1** or higher.
- **MySQL 5.7** or higher, or **MariaDB 10.3** or higher.
- These PHP extensions:
  - **OpenSSL**, to store your license securely and to verify Google sign-in.
  - **mbstring**, used when importing links from a spreadsheet.
  - **cURL** (recommended). WordPress uses it for the requests to TMDb, the Doothemes server and PayPal.
- **Pretty permalinks** turned on in **Settings › Permalinks**. The REST API and the link routes of Dbmovies need them.
- **Outgoing HTTPS connections.** Some hosts block them by default. If yours does, ask your provider to allow the services listed below.

## Recommended

- **PHP 8.3** or newer, for better performance and active security support.
- **MySQL 8.0** or higher, or **MariaDB 10.6** or higher.
- **A memory limit of 256 MB** or more. Bulk imports and episode creation use more memory than a regular page load.
- **`max_execution_time` of 90 seconds** or more. Background tasks, such as Automatic episodes and the Meta Updater, work for up to 60% of this limit on each run.
- **A server cron job** that calls `wp-cron.php` every minute. WordPress runs scheduled tasks only when someone visits your site, so on a site with few visits the background tasks would fall behind. Site Health shows whether scheduled tasks are running on time.
- **The GD extension with WebP support**, to convert imported images to WebP (an option in the import settings).
- **An object cache**, such as Redis or Memcached, and a **CDN** for images on large catalogs. See [Redis cache](https://doothemes.com/docs/dbmovies/guides/redis-cache).
- **Enough disk space.** Imported posters, backdrops and episode images are stored in your media library and grow quickly with large catalogs.

## HTTPS

Your site needs an SSL certificate (HTTPS) if you use:

- **PayPal** to charge memberships: PayPal only sends its notifications (webhooks) to HTTPS addresses.
- **Google sign-in**: Google only accepts HTTPS sites.

We recommend HTTPS on every site anyway.

## External services

Your server connects to these services. If your host restricts outgoing connections, ask your provider to allow them.

| Service | Address | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| TMDb | `api.themoviedb.org`, `image.tmdb.org` | Title data and images |
| Doothemes | `edge.wupdater.com` | License, updates, IMDb data and the TMDb proxy |
| PayPal | `api-m.paypal.com` | Membership billing (only if you turn on PayPal) |
| Google | `www.googleapis.com` | Google sign-in (only if you turn it on) |
| Link hosts | MEGA, 1fichier, MediaFire, MegaUp, YouTube | Link health checks (only when you run them) |

If your server cannot reach TMDb, turn on the TMDb proxy in the import settings. Dbmovies then reaches TMDb through the Doothemes server (this needs an active license).

## What you need before installing

### A TMDb API key

The Movie Database (TMDb) is the source of the movie and TV show data. Create a free account at [themoviedb.org](https://www.themoviedb.org) and request an API key in your account settings. Without this key, the importers cannot retrieve any content.

### Your Dbmovies license key

After your purchase, you receive your license key by email, and you can also find it in your Doothemes account. You activate it in **Dbmovies › Updates**. See [License activation](https://doothemes.com/docs/dbmovies/license-activation).

Your license:

- **Enables the plugin.** Importing titles, the background tasks (Automatic episodes and the Meta Updater) and saving the plugin settings need an active license. Content you already imported keeps working if it expires.
- **Delivers updates** to your WordPress admin, for the time your plan includes.
- **Sets your daily API requests.** Some features use the Doothemes server: IMDb ratings for each movie or TV show you import or update, the TMDb proxy, and license checks. Requests to TMDb with your own API key do not count. The importer shows how many requests you used today.

You do not need any other Doothemes account, key or credits.

### An administrator account

You need a WordPress user with the Administrator role to install the plugin and activate the license.

## Before you continue

- Check that your server can make outgoing HTTPS connections.
- Have your TMDb API key and your Dbmovies license key at hand.
- Sign in to WordPress as an administrator.

When your server meets these requirements, continue with [Installation](https://doothemes.com/docs/dbmovies/installation).