Blog

The JInstant blog

Guides, comparisons and news on testing Joomla, and getting the most out of free, disposable test sites.

J.INSTANTJoomla sample data, tried on a throwaway siteSample DataHome Dashboard, Joomla 6.1 and 5.43 profilesBlog11 articles, 4 categories, 3 menus, a workflowInstallTestingTags, banners, contacts, 72 articles, 9 stepsInstallMultilingualNeeds 2+ languages and no sample data yetInstall

Latest post

Joomla sample data: install it on a throwaway site first

Joomla 5 and 6 install sample data from the Home Dashboard, not the installer, and all 3 profiles are irreversible. Here is how to try them without regret.

Read the post →
J.INSTANTHow long does a free Joomla test site last?Lasts 4 hoursthen auto-deletes, no cleanupHow long it lastsBy test-site optionJInstant4 hourslaunch.joomla.org30-day renewLocal installuntil deleted

How long does a free Joomla test site last?

How long a free Joomla test site lasts depends on the tool: a JInstant site runs 4 hours then auto-deletes, others need a 30-day renewal. See each option.

J.INSTANTSet up a Joomla test environmentProductionJoomla 6.1 · PHP 8.3Test environmentMatches prodJoomla version6.1PHP version8.3DatabaseMySQL 8.0Spin up in one clickIsolatedauto-deletes in 4h

How to set up a Joomla test environment

A Joomla test environment keeps changes off your live site. Four ways to set one up, matched to your PHP 8.3 stack. The fastest opens in about 30 seconds.

J.INSTANTJoomla 4 to 5 upgradeJoomla4.4Joomla5Tested on a disposable site

Joomla 4 to 5 upgrade: test it on a disposable site first

Joomla 4 to 5 is an in-place upgrade, not a migration. Get to 4.4, set the channel to Joomla Next, then run it. Rehearse the 6 steps on a throwaway copy first.

J.INSTANTJoomla 3 to 5, two hops, rehearsedNo direct 3 to 5 jumpJoomla3.10migraterebuildJoomla4upgradein placeJoomla5.4

Joomla 3 to 5 migration: test it on a throwaway copy

Over 54% of Joomla sites still run end-of-life v3. There is no direct 3 to 5 jump: migrate 3.10 to 4, then upgrade 4 to 5. Rehearse it on a disposable copy.

J.INSTANTJoomla 5 to 6, dry run firstDRY RUN (THROWAWAY)Joomla5.4upgradein placeJoomla6.1Auto-deletes in 4 hoursBreak it here,not on production.passedLIVE SITEUpgraded only after thedry run passes.

How to upgrade Joomla 5 to 6

Upgrading Joomla 5 to 6 is an in-place upgrade, not a migration. Here are the 5 steps, plus how to rehearse the whole thing on a throwaway copy in 30 seconds.

J.INSTANTJoomla 6 requirements, already metYOUR LOCAL STACKApache 2.4MariaDB 10.6PHP 8.2 (XAMPP)Joomla 6 needs PHP 8.3. Blocked.skip thechecklistJoomla 6.1 technical requirementsPHP8.3 or newerMySQL8.0.13MariaDB10.6Memory limit256 MBAlready met, one clickNothing to install

Joomla system requirements (and how to skip them)

Joomla 6 needs PHP 8.3, MySQL 8.0.13, and 256 MB of memory. Here is the full requirements list, and how to skip the whole check with a test site in 30 seconds.

J.INSTANTTry Joomla 6 online, no install1Pick Joomla 62Let it spin up3Log in, one clickjinstant.com / try / joomla-6Spinning up your Joomla 6.1 site6.1JOOMLAready in ~30sPHP 8.3 readyLog in as Super UserJust an email · one click

Try Joomla 6 online in 30 seconds

Joomla 6 needs PHP 8.3, so a default XAMPP will not run it. Try Joomla 6 online: open a real 6.1 admin in about 30 seconds with just an email, no install.

J.INSTANTfree Joomla hosting for testing$0FREE HOSTINGForced adsOld PHPSign-up + verify500 MB capNo strings, just testingReal Joomla 6.1 or 5.4 adminNo ads, just an emailAuto-deletes after 4 hoursOpen in one click

Free Joomla hosting for testing: what actually works

Most free Joomla hosting is too old to run Joomla 6, which needs PHP 8.3. Here is what free hosts give you, and a faster way to just test, no long signup.

Subscribe via RSS.