---
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

Before you install GST Manager, take a minute to confirm your server meets a short list of
requirements. Everything here is standard for a modern AcelleMail install, so if you are already
running AcelleMail 4.2 you are almost certainly ready — but it is worth checking so activation goes
smoothly the first time.

## Server and software

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **AcelleMail** | 4.2.0 or newer |
| **PHP** | 8.2 or newer (runs on 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5) |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer (see below) |
| **SSH access** | Needed once, to apply the plugin's core hook points |
| **License** | An active GST Manager license |

## The ionCube Loader

GST Manager ships as an ionCube-encoded build, so your server needs the **ionCube Loader** — a
small, standard PHP extension that runs protected commercial software. It is the *same* Loader
AcelleMail itself requires, so a server already running AcelleMail almost always has it and you
rarely need to install anything new.

You need **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer**. One encoded archive covers every supported PHP version
from 8.2 to 8.5, and newer 14.x and 15.x Loaders are backward-compatible — so there is nothing to
match up.

::: danger GST Manager will not run without ionCube
If the Loader is missing or too old, activation fails with:

> ionCube Loader required. Contact support@relyweb.co

Install (or update) the ionCube Loader for your PHP version, then activate the plugin again.
:::

## Why a GST Manager license

The license gates the **whole GST admin surface**. Until a valid key is Active, the plugin shows
only its **License** page — the dashboard, Setup and Reports stay locked. Enter your key first and
everything opens up. See [Licensing](/gst-manager-acellemail/licensing) for how the check works and
where to manage your key.

## Why SSH access

GST Manager needs to hook into a few points in AcelleMail's invoicing flow. You do this once, from a
shell on the server, by running a small install script that adds those hook points. It is idempotent
— safe to run again after upgrades — and once done you never need SSH again for day-to-day use. The
[Installation](/gst-manager-acellemail/installation) guide walks you through the exact command.

## How to check

* **AcelleMail version** — your admin footer shows the running version; confirm it is 4.2.0 or newer.
* **PHP version** — run `php -v` on the server, or check your hosting panel.
* **ionCube Loader** — `php -m` should list `ionCube Loader`; if it does not, install it for your PHP
  version.
* **SSH** — confirm you can log in to the AcelleMail Laravel root over SSH.

## Related pages

* [Installation](/gst-manager-acellemail/installation)
* [Configuration](/gst-manager-acellemail/configuration)
* [Licensing](/gst-manager-acellemail/licensing)
* [Troubleshooting](/gst-manager-acellemail/troubleshooting)