How to Install vQmod for OpenCart 4.x

What is vQmod?

vQmod (Virtual Quick Mod) allows you to modify core files of OpenCart without actually changing them. Instead, it creates virtual versions of the files, applying changes dynamically, which simplifies upgrading OpenCart without losing custom modifications.

Prerequisites:

• OpenCart 4.x installed.
• FTP access to your OpenCart site.
• A file extraction tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
• Basic understanding of OpenCart's file structure.

Step 1: Download vQmod

1. Visit the official vQmod GitHub repository.
2. Download the latest version of vQmod suitable for your OpenCart version. Look for a file named vqmod-x.x.x-opencart.zip.

Step 2: Upload vQmod Files

1. Unzip the vQmod archive on your local machine.
2. Open your FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) and connect to your OpenCart server.
3. Upload all the files from the unzipped vqmod folder to your OpenCart root directory (the same folder where index.php and config.php are located).
4. Ensure the vqmod folder is now in the OpenCart root.

Step 3: Set Permissions

1. Locate the file: vqmod/vqmod.php on your OpenCart server.
2. Set permissions for this file to 755 or 777 depending on your server settings. This can be done via FTP by right-clicking on the file and choosing "File Permissions" or by contacting your hosting provider if permission issues arise.

Step 4: Run vQmod Installer

Open your web browser and navigate to:

http://yourdomain.com/vqmod/install

Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name.

You should see a message saying "vQmod Installed Successfully."

Step 5: Verify vQmod Installation

1. After installation, verify that the vqmod folder contains a new folder named vqcache. This indicates that vQmod is installed and functioning properly.
2. You should also see a new file called vqmod.log in the vqmod folder, which records any issues or conflicts.

Step 6: Check Compatibility with OpenCart Extensions

Many OpenCart extensions use vQmod to modify core files. Ensure that all extensions you install are compatible with vQmod.

You can upload any vQmod scripts (.xml files) to the /vqmod/xml/ directory. vQmod will automatically apply the modifications specified in those scripts.

Step 7: Clear vQmod Cache (Optional)

If you need to clear the vQmod cache (for example, after installing a new extension or making changes to vQmod files), simply:

1. Delete all files inside the vqmod/vqcache folder.
2. vQmod will regenerate the cache the next time the store is loaded.

Troubleshooting:

• Blank Page/Errors after installation: Check the vqmod/logs for any error messages. Ensure the permissions are set correctly.
• vQmod is not working: Double-check the URL you used for installation and ensure all files were uploaded properly.
• Correct admin folder  for vQmod:
  open file vqmod/pathReplaces.php
  find // START REPLACES //
  then add after
  $replaces = [];
$replaces[] = array( '~^admin\b~', 'your_admin_folder', );
  Note change "your_admin_folder" match with your admin folder

Conclusion:

vQmod is now installed and configured for your OpenCart 4.x store! You can now use it to manage modifications without altering core OpenCart files. Always test new modifications on a backup of your store before applying them to a live environment.