Pimcore 2026.x uses Docker for local development and installation. You do not need PHP or Composer installed on your host machine.
Prerequisites
- PHP 8.5+ (provided by the Pimcore Docker image, no local PHP installation required).
- Your user must be allowed to run Docker commands (directly or via sudo).
- Docker Compose must be installed.
- Your user must be allowed to change file permissions (directly or via sudo).
Choose an Installation Package
Pimcore offers two installation packages:
| Package | Description | Guide |
|---|---|---|
pimcore/skeleton | Empty project for building from scratch. Best for starting a new implementation. | Skeleton Installation |
pimcore/demo-enterprise | Pre-built project with enterprise blueprints showcasing advanced features. Requires Pimcore enterprise repository credentials. | Demo Enterprise Installation |
Both packages use the same profile-based installer and ship a pre-configured Docker environment
together with a pre-filled .env. The installer reads those values, prompts only for what is not
yet provided (typically product registration), writes the resolved configuration to .env.local,
installs and registers bundles, and runs post-install commands (including building the search
index), so the instance is usable right away.
For automated (CI) installations, see Advanced Installation Topics.
Installing Additional Bundles
After setting up your Pimcore instance, you can extend it with additional bundles. Each bundle has its own installation documentation. Some commonly used bundles include:
- Data Hub - GraphQL and REST API endpoints for external data access
- Portal Engine - Web portals for sharing data with external stakeholders
- Workflow Designer - Visual workflow configuration for approval processes
See Advanced Installation Topics for automating bundle installation during the Pimcore setup process.
Caching
For any installation, configure a caching backend to improve performance. Redis is the recommended cache adapter. See the Performance Guide for configuration details.
Next Steps
- Product Registration - Register your instance and obtain a product key.
- System Requirements - Detailed requirements for PHP, database, and additional software.
- System Setup and Hosting - Web server configuration, file storage, and database setup.
- Advanced Installation Topics - Automated installation, environment variables, and install profiles.
- Platform Version - Version compatibility and installing additional modules.