Install a Standalone (Demo) Distribution
To install XWiki in a standalone (demo) distribution:
- Download:
- Make sure your system meets the prerequisites.
- Go to the Downloads page and choose the XWiki version you want to install.
- Select one of the ZIP packages, according to your needs:

- Standard Flavor Pre-installed: Includes the Standard Flavor and skips the Distribution Wizard. Ideal for quick testing.
- ZIP Package: Includes the Distribution Wizard to choose your preferred Flavor during installation.
- Click "Download" to get the package.
- Install:
- Unzip the file in any directory of your choice (e.g., XWIKIHOME).
- Launch:
- Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you've installed XWiki (XWIKIHOME).
- Run
start_xwiki.baton Windows orstart_xwiki.shon Unix or Mac. Do not close the terminal window as this is the XWiki server running. - Access XWiki: Open your browser and go to
http://localhost:8080/once XWiki is started. - Log in: Use the default admin credentials if you installed the Standard Flavor:If you installed the other ZIP package, the Distribution Wizard will guide you through creating an admin user.
- Admin username:
Admin(capitalized) - Password:
admin(lowercase)
- Admin username:
FAQ
Is this method of installation suitable for production environments?
No, because there are some database limitations of HSQLDB. To see installation methods suitable for production environments you can check the installation methods.
What if I already have a Web Server running on port 8080?
If this happens you have to use another port, specified by passing an argument to the start script (e.g. using the port 8081, as in start_xwiki.sh -8081 ).
Is it possible to customize the behavior of the XWiki ZIP package?
Yes, you can customize the behavior of the package using parameters and environment variables. To learn more about the available options, open the start_xwiki script in a editor and check the comments at the top. Alternatively, you can use the -h parameter when running the script to display a list of available options and their descriptions.
Why am I seeing connection refused exceptions in the log files?
It could be because you are running XWiki behind a proxy server without a proper configuration; or because you're offline and need to disable the connection to the Extension repositories.