Setting up the hosting environment for Disciple.Tools #
The first step is to choose a hosting platform for your Disciple.Tools instance
See our recommendations: https://disciple.tools/hosting/
Here is a basic walk-through on using WPEngine as your hosting platform: https://developers.disciple.tools/hosting/wpengine-hosting
In setting up WordPress you will have the choice between installing WordPress as a single site or as a Multisite.
If you have multiple teams or want room to grow you’ll want to choose the Multisite option. More info on single site vs Multisite: https://developers.disciple.tools/hosting/single-or-Multisite
Checklist to consider during setup:
- What domain (url) is your site accessed on
- Make sure your site is using https
- Some groups choose to host their Disciple.Tools instance behind a VPN
- Implement offsite backups. More
- Enable system CRON instead of Worpdress cron. More
- Use a 3rd party SMTP service to send email (sign up emails, notification emails, etc).
- Disable caching.
Installing the Disciple.Tools theme #
Once you have the host environment set up you are now ready to install the Disciple.Tools theme.
Download the theme from https://disciple.tools/download/,
Step 1 #
- Download the theme disciple-tools-theme.zip file from https://disciple.tools/download/
Step 2 #
- Open up your WordPress site.
- Login to your Admin Dashboard.
https://{your website}/wp-admin/
Note: You have to be an administrator with the permissions to install plugins.
Step 3 #
- In the Admin area, go to
Appearance > Themes
in the left navigation. This is where themes are installed. - Select the
Add New
button at the top of the screen. - Then select the
"Upload Theme
” button at the top of the screen. - Use the
choose file
button to find the disciple-tools-theme.zip file you saved in step 1, and upload that file and wait for WordPress to install it.
Step 4 #
- Once uploaded, you will see the new Disciple.Tools Theme installed with other themes. Next
Activate
the theme.
Installing Disciple.Tools plugins #
In the Admin Dashboard (https://{your website}/wp-admin/), on the right click on Extensions (D.T)
.
Here your will see a list of available plugins to install. Find the one you want and click the “Install” button and then “Active” when it is installed.
![](https://disciple.tools/wp-content/uploads/image-24.png)
![](https://disciple.tools/wp-content/uploads/image-25.png)
Updating the Disciple.Tools theme and plugins #
To install updates for the Disciple.Tools theme or any plugin look for the updates available arrows at the top of your WP Admin Dashboard
![](https://disciple.tools/wp-content/uploads/image-26.png)
Select the plugins or themes you want to update and click the Update button
![](https://disciple.tools/wp-content/uploads/image-27.png)
Check for Latest Version #
You can check what the latest version of Disciple.Tools is on this page: https://disciple.tools/download/,
Here a way to check what version of Disciple.Tools you have installed on your instance:
Head of to the Utilities (D.T) tab on the WP Admin Dashboard and find the “D.T Theme Version” row in the table.
![](https://disciple.tools/wp-content/uploads/image-28.png)