---
url: /gst-manager-acellemail/requirements.md
description: >-
  What your server needs before installing GST Manager for AcelleMail —
  AcelleMail 4.2+, PHP 8.2+, the ionCube Loader, one-time SSH access, and an
  active license.
---

# Requirements

Verify your hosting environment meets the baseline system requirements before installing GST Manager:

* **AcelleMail compatibility:** Built for standard AcelleMail 4.2+ deployments.
* **PHP support:** Compatible with modern PHP 8.2 through 8.5 runtimes.
* **Native extensions:** Leverages standard extensions required by AcelleMail core.

## Server and software matrix

| Requirement | Supported Versions | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **AcelleMail** | 4.2.0 or newer | Core application framework. |
| **PHP** | 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 | Standard CLI and FPM runtimes. |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer | Standard PHP loader extension. |
| **SSH Access** | Optional / Fallback | Required only if web user lacks write permissions to core files. |
| **License Key** | Active license | Required to unlock admin interface. |

## The ionCube Loader extension

GST Manager distributes ionCube-encoded binaries for security and compliance integrity:

* **Shared dependency:** Uses the identical loader extension required by AcelleMail.
* **Version requirements:** Requires **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer** (compatible with 14.x and 15.x).
* **Multi-version support:** A single distribution archive supports PHP versions 8.2 through 8.5.

::: danger Required PHP extension
If the loader is missing or outdated, activation halts with:

> *"ionCube Loader required. Contact support@relyweb.co"*

Install or upgrade the ionCube Loader in your active `php.ini` configuration and restart your web server.
:::

## Licensing requirements

An active license key is required to use administrative features:

* **Admin access:** Unlocks the Dashboard, Setup configuration, and Tax Reports.
* **Public resilience:** Customer checkout and invoice rendering continue functioning using cached offline bindings.

See [Licensing](/gst-manager-acellemail/licensing).

## SSH access requirements

Command-line access is typically not required during normal installation:

* **Automatic patching:** Plugin hooks are applied automatically during web activation.
* **Hardened environments:** If restricted permissions block web patching, run the one-line CLI script via SSH.

See [Apply the core hook points](/gst-manager-acellemail/guides/apply-core-patches).

## Verification checklist

Run these diagnostic commands to verify environment readiness:

* **AcelleMail version:** Check the version string in your AcelleMail admin footer (must be ≥ 4.2.0).
* **PHP version:** Run `php -v` via CLI or verify through your hosting control panel.
* **ionCube Loader:** Run `php -m | grep -i ioncube` to confirm the extension is loaded.
* **SSH connection:** Confirm CLI access to the AcelleMail root directory if manual patching is required.

## Related pages

* [Installation](/gst-manager-acellemail/installation) — plugin installation steps
* [Configuration](/gst-manager-acellemail/configuration) — merchant tax configuration
* [Licensing](/gst-manager-acellemail/licensing) — license tiers and management
* [Troubleshooting](/gst-manager-acellemail/troubleshooting) — resolving server errors