Last modified: May 02, 2025 By Alexander Williams

Installing Plone 6: Complete Python Setup Guide

Plone 6 is a powerful Python-based CMS. It offers flexibility and scalability. This guide helps you install it smoothly.

Prerequisites for Plone 6 Installation

Before installing Plone 6, ensure your system meets these requirements:

Python 3.8+ is required. Plone 6 does not support older versions. Check your Python version using python --version.


python --version
# Output: Python 3.8.10

A virtual environment is recommended. It keeps dependencies isolated. Use venv to create one.


python -m venv plone-env
source plone-env/bin/activate

Node.js is needed for frontend tools. Install it if you don't have it.

Installing Plone 6

Use pip to install Plone 6. Run this command in your virtual environment.


pip install plone

Wait for the installation to complete. It may take a few minutes.

Setting Up a Plone Site

After installation, create a new Plone site. Use the mkwsgiinstance command.


mkwsgiinstance -d ./plone-site

This creates a new Plone instance in the plone-site directory.

Configuring Plone 6

Edit the buildout.cfg file in your Plone site directory. Adjust settings as needed.


[instance]
eggs =
    Plone
    wsgi

Run buildout to apply changes. This installs additional dependencies.


cd plone-site
./bin/buildout

Starting the Plone Server

Use the runwsgi command to start the server.


./bin/runwsgi instance/etc/zope.ini

Plone will start on http://localhost:8080. Access it in your browser.

Creating Your First Plone Site

After starting the server, visit the setup page. Follow the prompts to create a site.

Choose an admin username and password. Keep these secure.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you face errors, check the logs. They are in the var/log directory.

Ensure all dependencies are installed. Run pip check to verify.

Conclusion

You have now installed Plone 6 successfully. It's ready for development.

Plone 6 offers robust features for content management. Explore its capabilities further.