# Getting Started (Beta)

WHost is in open beta: access is by request and free while the beta lasts. A
beta release is not meant for production data. This page takes you from a
request to a running panel and says where to report what you find.

## 1. Request beta access

1. Open [wisecp.com/whost](https://wisecp.com/whost) and choose **Request Beta
   Access**. Sign in with your wisecp.com account (or create one) so that the
   request, and later the licence, is tied to it, and tell us what you want to
   test.
2. Access opens in small groups; the answer comes by e-mail.
3. An approved request comes with a WHost licence on your wisecp.com account.
   The licence is admitted to the beta programme, which is what lets beta
   releases reach your server.

## 2. Install on a clean server

- One of the supported systems: Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04, AlmaLinux 9, Rocky
  Linux 9 or CentOS Stream 9 ([Supported Operating Systems](supported-os.md)).
- A fresh server with nothing else on it: WHost installs and manages its own
  web, mail, DNS, database and FTP services
  ([Installation Guide → Prerequisites](installation.md#prerequisites)).
- Run the installer as root with the server's fully qualified host name
  ([Installation Guide → Quick Installation](installation.md#quick-installation)).

## 3. Sign in and activate the licence

The installer prints the admin panel address and the admin password. The
first sign-in opens the licence activation screen: enter the licence key shown
for the WHost licence in your wisecp.com client area
([Installation Guide → Access Admin Panel](installation.md#access-admin-panel)).

## 4. Updates during the beta

A new installation follows the `beta` channel. When a release is published,
the panel shows "Update available" and the Updates page installs it; with the
default settings a beta release is not installed on its own. How updates are
checked, installed and rolled back: [Update Flow](update-flow.md).

## 5. Report a problem

The WISECP support team answers WHost beta requests on these channels:

- **Support ticket** from your wisecp.com client area: the main channel.
- **E-mail** `hello@wisecp.com` when you cannot open a ticket.
- **Security issues:** `security@wisecp.com`, never a public channel.

Add the details listed in
[Troubleshooting → When to escalate](troubleshooting.md#17-when-to-escalate):
what happened and when, an agent log slice, the WHost version and the
operating system. Never send `/etc/whost/agent.conf` as it is; it holds
secrets.

## Before you start

[Known Limitations (Beta)](known-limitations.md) lists what this beta does
not do yet and which areas are experimental.