> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.areawp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> AreaWP — a modern server control panel for managing websites, Docker containers, databases, and security on VPS and dedicated servers.

<Info>
  **AreaWP** is a server control panel for developers, agencies, and hosting providers. Manage WordPress sites, Docker apps, databases, billing, and clients — all from one dashboard. Available as a **self-hosted** installation on your own server, or as a fully **managed hosted** solution where the AreaWP team handles the infrastructure for you.
</Info>

## What AreaWP Does

AreaWP runs on your Linux server and connects to remote servers via a lightweight agent. From the dashboard you can deploy apps, manage databases, configure firewalls, handle client subscriptions, and monitor everything in real time.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Multi-Server Fleet" icon="server" color="#6366f1">
    Connect unlimited servers and manage them all from one panel
  </Card>

  <Card title="WordPress & Docker" icon="globe" color="#10b981">
    Deploy WordPress sites and containerized apps in seconds
  </Card>

  <Card title="Built-in Billing" icon="credit-card" color="#f59e0b">
    Stripe, PayPal, Tap, and Bank Transfer with full subscription management
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Platform Modes

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="SaaS Mode">
    **Sell hosting as a service**

    Clients sign up, choose a plan, and manage their own sites through a self-service portal.

    * ✅ Client self-service portal and billing dashboard
    * ✅ Pricing plans with resource limits (sites, storage, backups)
    * ✅ Stripe, PayPal, Tap, and Bank Transfer
    * ✅ White-label branding (logo, colors, brand name)
    * ✅ Built-in support ticket system
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="WaaS Mode">
    **WordPress as a Service**

    Everything in SaaS, optimized for WordPress hosting at scale with a client-facing marketplace.

    * ✅ Plugin and theme marketplace with licensing
    * ✅ Bulk WordPress management across all client sites
    * ✅ Site templates for one-click WordPress deployments
    * ✅ Gitea-powered CI/CD pipeline
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Core Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Agent Fleet & Multi-Server Management" icon="server">
    Deploy the AreaWP binary agent on any Linux server and manage your entire fleet from one dashboard. Monitor health with heatmaps, compare metrics, detect anomalies, forecast capacity, and run staged or canary upgrades. **Available on the Hosted plan only.**
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="WordPress Hosting" icon="globe">
    Deploy WordPress sites from templates with domain validation, auto-SSL, and isolated Docker containers. Manage sites in a grid or table view, with direct WP Admin auto-login links.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Docker Management" icon="box">
    Full Docker lifecycle: start/stop containers, tail logs, open an in-browser terminal, manage Compose stacks, images, volumes, and networks. Live CPU and RAM per container.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Database Management" icon="database">
    Create MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases. Browse tables, run SQL queries, manage users and privileges, and create or restore backups — all from the browser.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Security Suite" icon="shield">
    UFW firewall, fail2ban, SSH keys, IP lists, malware scanner, file integrity monitor, vulnerability scanner, and security audit — across 13 dedicated tabs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Billing & Subscriptions" icon="credit-card">
    Full billing: pricing plans, client subscriptions, invoices, and 4 payment gateways. Admins approve or reject payments; clients renew or cancel from their Billing page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Git & Gitea Integration" icon="code-branch">
    Built-in Gitea server. Browse repositories, configure webhooks, trigger deployments with pre/post-deploy scripts, and roll back from full deployment logs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Email Server" icon="envelope">
    Manage Postfix, Dovecot, OpenDKIM, SpamAssassin, and Roundcube webmail. Add domains, create accounts, configure aliases, forwarding rules, and DNS records (DKIM/SPF/DMARC).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Architecture

| Component | Stack                | Role                                                     |
| --------- | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Panel** | Flask + React (Vite) | Dashboard, API, billing, user management                 |
| **Agent** | Go binary            | Installed per server, executes commands, streams metrics |

```
Browser → Nginx (80/443) → Flask API (5000)
                               ↕ WebSocket
                     Agent on managed Server 1
                     Agent on managed Server 2
```

***

## Getting Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Requirements">
    Review server prerequisites before installing.
    [Requirements →](/requirements)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install AreaWP">
    Run the one-line installer on your Linux VPS.
    [Installation →](/installation)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Quick Start">
    Connect your first server and deploy your first site in under 10 minutes.
    [Quick Start →](/quick-start)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Billing">
    Configure pricing plans and payment gateways to onboard clients.
    [Payment Gateways →](/administration/payment-gateways)
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Requirements" icon="list-check" href="/requirements">
    Server and software prerequisites
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Step-by-step install guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dashboard Overview" icon="gauge" href="/overview/dashboard">
    Learn the dashboard layout
  </Card>

  <Card title="Support" icon="headset" href="https://account.areawp.com/client/login/">
    Contact the support team
  </Card>
</CardGroup>