10-10-2026, 06:33 PM
Quick answer
Open Databases > MySQL > Add DB in aaPanel Free Edition. Enter a database name and a separate application user, keep utf8mb4, generate a strong password, and use Local server permission when the application runs on this VPS. Save, then verify the database appears in the list.
Before you start
MariaDB or MySQL must already be installed and running. aaPanel's MySQL tab also manages our MariaDB installation. Our lab website is created, but it does not yet have an application connected to this database.
Install MariaDB first.
1. Open Add DB
In the left menu, select Databases, then the MySQL tab and Add DB. Do not change the Root password for ordinary website setup.
2. Choose the database and user
Our example uses:
Use a short, clear name for your own application. Keep a dedicated user for each database rather than connecting a website as root. utf8mb4 supports full Unicode, including emoji; check your application's requirements if it specifies a different character set.
3. Set the password and access
Generate a long, unique password and store it privately for the application's configuration. Never copy a tutorial password into a live website.
Choose Local server when the application and database are on this same VPS. The Add to field should identify LocalServer (127.0.0.1). Do not choose access from everyone or open port 3306 just to run a local website.
Click Confirm and wait for completion.
4. Verify the database list
Check the database name, username and Localhost location. Keep the password masked when sharing screenshots. Our verified result is shown below:
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=15]](https://adminsforum.com/attachment.php?aid=15)
Our lab database was created through aaPanel's server-side database manager and then checked in the dashboard. A local connection using its dedicated user successfully selected adminsforum_lab. The user has privileges on that application database; we did not enable remote database access.
5. Use the details in your application
A typical same-server application needs:
localhost can use a Unix socket while 127.0.0.1 uses TCP; use the connection method your application and database configuration support. This guide verifies the database account, not a completed CMS installation.
Troubleshooting
Access denied: Check the username, password and allowed host. Do not solve it by using root.
Unknown database: Check the exact database name in the panel.
Connection refused: Check that MariaDB/MySQL is running and listening for the connection method you selected.
No database in the list: Read the creation error before retrying; avoid creating several accounts blindly.
Next steps
Configure your website application with these credentials, then back up the database before importing data or making major changes. Website files and database backups are separate: both matter for a working restore.
Create a website in aaPanel Free Edition
Tested: 10 October 2026, aaPanel Free Edition 8.0.6 with MariaDB on Ubuntu 22.04. Original AdminsForum lab screenshot, with the database password masked.
Open Databases > MySQL > Add DB in aaPanel Free Edition. Enter a database name and a separate application user, keep utf8mb4, generate a strong password, and use Local server permission when the application runs on this VPS. Save, then verify the database appears in the list.
Before you start
MariaDB or MySQL must already be installed and running. aaPanel's MySQL tab also manages our MariaDB installation. Our lab website is created, but it does not yet have an application connected to this database.
Install MariaDB first.
1. Open Add DB
In the left menu, select Databases, then the MySQL tab and Add DB. Do not change the Root password for ordinary website setup.
2. Choose the database and user
Our example uses:
Code:
Database name: adminsforum_lab
Database user: adminsforum_lab
Character set: utf8mb43. Set the password and access
Generate a long, unique password and store it privately for the application's configuration. Never copy a tutorial password into a live website.
Choose Local server when the application and database are on this same VPS. The Add to field should identify LocalServer (127.0.0.1). Do not choose access from everyone or open port 3306 just to run a local website.
Click Confirm and wait for completion.
4. Verify the database list
Check the database name, username and Localhost location. Keep the password masked when sharing screenshots. Our verified result is shown below:
Our lab database was created through aaPanel's server-side database manager and then checked in the dashboard. A local connection using its dedicated user successfully selected adminsforum_lab. The user has privileges on that application database; we did not enable remote database access.
5. Use the details in your application
A typical same-server application needs:
Code:
Database host: localhost or 127.0.0.1 (follow the application requirements)
Database port: 3306
Database name: your database name
Database user: your application user
Database password: your private generated passwordTroubleshooting
Access denied: Check the username, password and allowed host. Do not solve it by using root.
Unknown database: Check the exact database name in the panel.
Connection refused: Check that MariaDB/MySQL is running and listening for the connection method you selected.
No database in the list: Read the creation error before retrying; avoid creating several accounts blindly.
Next steps
Configure your website application with these credentials, then back up the database before importing data or making major changes. Website files and database backups are separate: both matter for a working restore.
Create a website in aaPanel Free Edition
Tested: 10 October 2026, aaPanel Free Edition 8.0.6 with MariaDB on Ubuntu 22.04. Original AdminsForum lab screenshot, with the database password masked.