--- title: "Getting Started with Grav CMS + Admin Plugin" description: "Grav is a databaseless content management system (CMS) that uses Twig templating and Markdown markup language, the same used within Slack and Github. Grav is powerful CMS choice for those wanting..." url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/install-grav-cms-admin/ date: 2018-11-21 modified: 2021-11-19 author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor" categories: ["Website"] type: post lang: en --- # Getting Started with Grav CMS + Admin Plugin [Grav](https://getgrav.org/downloads) is a databaseless content management system (CMS) that uses [Twig templating](https://twig.symfony.com/) and [Markdown markup language](https://learn.getgrav.org/content/markdown), the same used within Slack and Github. [Grav](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/grav-backups/) is powerful CMS choice for those wanting less complexity and reduced risk of cross-site scripting. There are three ways to get started with Grav: - Grav + Admin plugin - Skeleton package with plugins, sample pages, and theme for specific purpose - Grav Core Only We recommend the admin package for users to use the GUI to manage Grav. Alternatively, you can install a [skeleton package](https://getgrav.org/downloads/skeletons) and then the [admin plugin](https://github.com/getgrav/grav-plugin-admin) in [SSH](/support/server/ssh/do-you-provide-ssh-access/) using the command bin/gpm install admin. Without the Admin plugin, you’ll need to [edit all raw files](/support/website/how-to-edit-a-file/) using [HTML](/support/website/website-design/introduction-web-design/) and [Markdown](https://learn.getgrav.org/content/markdown). Below we cover **how to install Grav + Admin plugin and navigate the admin dashboard**. **Note**: Grav + Admin plugin is also available [from Softaculous](/support/product-guides/softaculous/install-software-softaculous/). [Install](#install) [Navigate Dashboard](#dashboard) [Navigate Menu](#adminmenu) ## Install Grav + Admin Plugin 1. Download the **Grav Core + Admin plugin** package from [getgrav.org](https://getgrav.org/downloads). 2. [Upload the zip the file to your server](/support/website/how-to-upload-files-server/). 3. [Uncompress the file](/support/edu/cpanel/compressing-uncompressing-files/#uncompress) into the *public_html* directory. We recommend you rename the Grav folder. **Note**: If you’d prefer Grav to be your primary site, instead of an addon or sub domain, you’ll need to [move all Grav files](/support/website/how-to-upload-files-server/) into the [root directory, i.e. *public_html*](/support/website/where-to-upload-files/). 4. In your web browser, visit the website URL – e.g. *example.com/grav-admin*. 5. Create an admin user. Afterwards, you can login with that URL and */admin* at the end.[![Create Admin user](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-1-admin-plugin-create-admin-account.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-1-admin-plugin-create-admin-account.png)   [![Grav login page](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-4-login-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-4-login-page.png)   6. You’ll be forwarded to the admin dashboard. You can view the website as well.[![Grav example screenshot](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-3-install-without-admin-plugin.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-3-install-without-admin-plugin.png)   ## Navigate Dashboard On your Grav Admin dashboard, you’ll see the following: [![Grav Admin dashboard](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-2-admin-dashboard.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-2-admin-dashboard.png)   - Click **GRAV** to access this dashboard from other pages - View your Grav site with the small icon to it’s right - View profile settings with the user name and Gravatar [![Grav pages section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-10-profile-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-10-profile-page.png)   - **Clear Cache** - **Check for Updates** - **Maintenance**: Update and Last Backup status - Page View **Statistics** - **Notifications** for the Grav CMS and community - **News Feed** for [Grav blogs](https://getgrav.org/blog) - **Latest Page Updates** from your website. ## Navigate Menu On the left, you can navigate the following menu options: - **Configuration** [![Grav configuration section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-5-configuration-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-5-configuration-page.png)   - **Pages**[![Grav pages section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-6-pages-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-6-pages-page.png)   - **Plugins**[![Grav plugins section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-7-plugins-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-7-plugins-page.png)   - **Themes**[![Grav themes section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-8-themes-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-8-themes-page.png)   - **Tools**[![Grav tools section](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-9-tools-page.png)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/images/stories/grav/grav-9-tools-page.png)   - **Logout** After you’re comfotable in Grav, check out additional Grav [themes](https://getgrav.org/downloads/themes) and [plugins](https://getgrav.org/downloads/plugins) to enhance your website. Learn more about Grav in our [Support Center](/support/website/grav-backups/). Try [enhancing Grav by adding Quick Tray Links](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/website-design/grav-quick-tray-links/) and learning how to [display a cookie consent banner with Grav](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/website-design/grav-cookie-banner/)!