---
url: /relyagent-whmcs/requirements.md
description: >-
  What your server and WHMCS install need before you run Relyagent — PHP, WHMCS,
  the ionCube Loader, mod_rewrite, PHP extensions, HTTPS and an active license,
  with how to check each one.
---

# Requirements

Before you install Relyagent, take a minute to confirm your server meets the requirements below.
Relyagent turns your WHMCS into a self-hosted **MCP server** (MCP, the Model Context Protocol, is
an open standard that lets AI assistants call external tools), so this is standard WHMCS hosting
plus a couple of specifics for OAuth and the encoded release. The **ionCube Loader** is the one
worth checking first, because Relyagent will not run without it.

## Server and software

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **PHP** | 8.2 or newer (runs on 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5) |
| **WHMCS** | 8.13 or newer, or 9.x |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer (see below) |
| **PHP extensions** | `curl`, `openssl`, `json`, `zip`, `mbstring` |
| **Web server** | Apache or nginx with `mod_rewrite` (or equivalent rewrite support) |
| **SSL certificate** | Required — AI clients connect over HTTPS |
| **License** | An active Relyagent license |

## The ionCube Loader

Relyagent 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
WHMCS itself requires, so a server already running WHMCS almost always has it and you rarely need
to install anything new.

You need **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer**. The exact version tracks your PHP version — WHMCS on
PHP 8.2 uses 13.0.2, PHP 8.3 uses 14.4.0, and newer 15.x loaders work too. One encoded build runs
on every supported PHP and loader version, so there is nothing to match up.

::: danger Relyagent will not run without ionCube
If the loader is missing or too old, Relyagent's encoded files can't run — the page shows
`ionCube Loader required. Contact support@relyweb.co`. Ask your host to enable **ionCube Loader
13.0.2 or newer** for your PHP version, then reload.
:::

## Why mod\_rewrite and HTTPS

Relyagent serves the OAuth and MCP discovery documents at their standard `.well-known` paths so
AI clients can auto-configure when they connect — serving those clean paths needs **mod\_rewrite**
(or your web server's equivalent) enabled. OAuth and remote AI clients also require a secure
connection, so your WHMCS domain must be served over **HTTPS** with a valid certificate. The MCP
endpoint AI clients talk to looks like this:

`https://<your-whmcs>/modules/addons/relyagent/public/mcp/endpoint.php`

## Why a license

The MCP server itself is license-gated: without an active Relyagent license the MCP and OAuth
endpoints won't accept connections. You enter your key after activation — see
[Installation](/relyagent-whmcs/installation) — and manage it later under
**Addons → Relyagent → Settings → License**. See [Licensing](/relyagent-whmcs/licensing) for how
the license types work.

## How to check

You don't need to guess at any of this:

* **PHP version and extensions** — open **Utilities → System → PHP Info** in the WHMCS admin, or
  ask your host. Confirm PHP 8.2+ and that `curl`, `openssl`, `json`, `zip` and `mbstring` are
  loaded.
* **ionCube Loader** — the same **PHP Info** page lists the ionCube Loader and its version if it
  is installed. If you can't find it, it isn't enabled.
* **WHMCS version** — shown in the WHMCS admin footer, and under **Help → System Health Status**.
* **HTTPS** — load your WHMCS admin area and confirm the address bar shows `https://` with a valid
  certificate.
* **mod\_rewrite** — if WHMCS "friendly URLs" already work on your install, rewrite support is
  active.

::: tip Ready to install?
Once your server checks out, head to [Installation](/relyagent-whmcs/installation) to upload,
activate and license the module.
:::