Keep the line moving

Install it.
Make it yours.

The complete self-service guide for getting a Web Chef template online, customizing it safely, and fixing the usual hosting problems.

Start installation Fix a problem

01 · Quick start

From ZIP to live site.

Do these steps in order. Most failed installs come from uploading the outer folder instead of its contents.

  1. 01

    Download and unzip

    Extract the ZIP on your computer. Inside it you should see index.html, admin, assets, and data.

  2. 02

    Open the document root

    In your host, open the folder that serves your domain. It is commonly named public_html, www, htdocs, or the domain name.

  3. 03

    Upload the contents

    Upload everything inside the extracted folder. The file index.html must sit directly in the document root—not one folder deeper.

  4. 04

    Test the public site

    Open your domain in a private browser window. Refresh once with the cache bypassed if you previously had another site there.

  5. 05

    Open the admin

    Visit yourdomain.com/admin/. Use the demo password shown in your INSTALL.txt, then set your recovery phrase and export a backup.

Instant-template admin limitation

The $297 template is a static site. Admin edits are stored only in the browser where you make them; they do not sync to other devices or publish server-wide. Use the admin to explore and prepare content, and export JSON before clearing browser data. Choose Web Chef hosting if you need shared, persistent live updates managed for you.

02 · Pick your host

The folder names change. The rule does not.

The site must be served from the domain root with HTTPS enabled.

cPanel / InMotion / HostGator

File Manager

  1. Open File Manager.
  2. Enter public_html or your domain root.
  3. Upload the ZIP and extract it.
  4. Move the extracted contents up one level if needed.
  5. Confirm index.html is directly in the root.

Netlify

Manual deploy

  1. Open your site's Deploys screen.
  2. Drag the extracted site folder into the upload area.
  3. Attach your custom domain.
  4. Wait for HTTPS to finish provisioning.

Cloudflare Pages

Direct upload

  1. Create a Pages project with Direct Upload.
  2. Upload the extracted files.
  3. Attach your custom domain.
  4. Do not add a framework or build command.

Other static hosts

Root deployment

  1. Choose a static-site or file-upload option.
  2. Use no framework preset.
  3. Use no build command.
  4. Publish the folder containing index.html.
Avoid subfolder installs

The instant-template build expects to run at a domain root such as https://yourtruck.com/. Installing at https://example.com/my-truck/ can break asset paths.

03 · Owner admin

Set up the browser you will use.

First-login checklist

  • Open /admin/ on your primary phone or computer.
  • Log in with the password from INSTALL.txt.
  • Open Settings → Account and change the password.
  • Add a recovery phrase you can remember.
  • Open Settings → Data and export your first JSON backup.
  • Keep browser storage enabled for the site.

What stays on this device

  • Your changed admin password
  • Your recovery phrase
  • Admin content edits and uploaded images
  • Your login session

Private browsing, browser cleanup tools, or clearing site data can remove these. Export before switching devices.

04 · Customize safely

Your truck. The theme keeps its backbone.

Recommended order

  1. Site content: truck name, description, contact, and ordering link.
  2. Theme Studio: choose a guarded palette and hero treatment.
  3. Menu: replace sample sections, items, prices, and dietary tags.
  4. Schedule: enter normal weekly hours.
  5. Today: post the current stop, special, and sold-out items.
  6. Settings: export a fresh backup.

Image rules

  • Use JPG or WebP for food photography.
  • Start with images under 3 MB.
  • Use sharp originals at least 1600 px wide for heroes.
  • Set hero photo focus after changing the image.
  • Use photos you own or have permission to publish.

05 · Backups and moves

Export before you experiment.

Backup

Export JSON

In admin, open Settings → Data → Export JSON. Keep the dated file somewhere outside your browser.

Restore

Import JSON

On the same template, open Settings → Data and choose the exported file. Review the site after import.

Move devices

Export, then import

Export on the old device before opening admin on the new one. Passwords and recovery phrases do not travel with the content export.

06 · Troubleshooting

Match the symptom.

Open the row that describes what you see.

The domain shows a file list or a blank hosting page

index.html is not in the document root, or the host still prefers an older index file. Move the template contents into the root and rename or remove the old placeholder index after making a backup.

The page loads, but it has no styling or images

The site is probably installed in a subfolder. Move it to the domain root. Also confirm the assets folder uploaded completely and that file names kept their capitalization.

I uploaded the new site, but I still see the old one

Open the domain in a private window, then clear the host/CDN cache. If WordPress was previously installed, confirm the server is loading index.html instead of index.php.

The admin password works on one device but not another

Passwords are stored in each browser. The new device starts with the demo password from INSTALL.txt. Set a new password and recovery phrase on the device you plan to use.

My admin changes are missing on another phone—or customers cannot see them

The instant template stores edits locally in one browser; it is not a server-synced CMS. Export your JSON for backup. If you need shared persistent updates, use the hosted package.

My admin changes disappeared

Browser data was likely cleared, private browsing was used, or the domain changed. Import your last JSON backup. Without an export, browser-local changes may not be recoverable.

A photo will not upload

Convert it to JPG or WebP, reduce it below 3 MB, and try again. Very large images can exceed browser storage. Export a backup before removing other images.

The site says Not Secure

Enable the host's SSL certificate and force HTTPS in the hosting panel. Certificate provisioning can take several minutes after connecting a domain.

The site works at the temporary host address but not my domain

Your DNS is not pointed at the host yet, or propagation is incomplete. Follow the host's exact DNS records and allow up to 48 hours, though most changes appear sooner.

Can I install this in WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, or Wix?

Not as a theme or plugin. This is a standalone static website. It replaces the public site at the domain root and does not require those platforms.

07 · Still stuck

Send one useful message.

Support is for problems with the delivered Web Chef files—not general hosting administration, DNS management, third-party platforms, or custom code changes.

Include all five items

  1. Your order email and template name
  2. Your domain
  3. Your hosting company
  4. The exact page address with the problem
  5. A screenshot and the step that failed
Email complete details

Never email passwords, recovery phrases, hosting credentials, or payment information.