# INNEX Step-by-Step Installation — Windows XAMPP

## 1. Extract the project

Extract the ZIP and place the folder here:

```text
C:\xampp1\htdocs\INNEX
```

Confirm this file exists:

```text
C:\xampp1\htdocs\INNEX\artisan
```

## 2. Start XAMPP

Start **Apache** and **MySQL**.

## 3. Create the database

Open:

```text
http://localhost/phpmyadmin
```

Create an empty database:

```text
innex
```

Use `utf8mb4_unicode_ci` when available.

## 4. Install INNEX

Double-click:

```text
INSTALL_INNEX_WINDOWS.bat
```

The installer creates `.env`, installs Composer dependencies, generates the application key, runs the migrations, and creates the Superadmin account.

## 5. Open the system

```text
http://localhost/INNEX/public
```

Login:

```text
Username: superadmin
Password: Innex@12345
```

Change the password after signing in.

## 6. Re-upload your data

Use this order:

1. CSV Import → Student Accounts
2. CSV Import → Panel Accounts
3. CSV Import → Competitions
4. CSV Import → Projects
5. CSV Import → Rubrics
6. Assign panels to projects from each competition

Download a fresh template from each importer before uploading data.

The Project CSV supports:

```text
supervisor_name
supervisor_email
supervisor_organisation
```

Separate multiple supervisors using `|`.

## Manual installation commands

```bat
cd /d C:\xampp1\htdocs\INNEX
composer install
copy .env.example .env
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan key:generate
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan migrate --force
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan db:seed --force
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan storage:link
set CACHE_STORE=file
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan optimize:clear
```

## Common errors

### `vendor/autoload.php` missing

Run:

```bat
composer install
```

### Table already exists

For a clean database only:

```bat
C:\xampp1\php\php.exe artisan migrate:fresh --seed --force
```

### MySQL connection refused

Start MySQL in XAMPP and confirm the `.env` database settings.

### Superadmin login does not work

Double-click:

```text
REPAIR_INNEX_LOGIN_WINDOWS.bat
```