Before installing any new self-hosted script or app, a quick pre-flight check saves a lot of regret later:
- Check how actively it's maintained. A script with no updates in a couple of years is a growing security liability, no matter how good it looked at launch.
- Read the actual server requirements, not just the marketing page - PHP/DB version mismatches are one of the most common "why won't this install" issues.
- Test on a subdomain or staging copy first, never directly on a production install you can't easily roll back.
- Look at the update/migration process before you need it. Some scripts make upgrades painless, others require manual database surgery every release.
- Check community support activity, not just official docs - an active forum or Discord is often where real answers live when something breaks.