---
title: "Getting started with SL Migrations"
url: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/getting-started
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-20
alternate:
  vi: https://phatdev.net/docs/sl-migrations/getting-started
markdown: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/getting-started.md
---

# Getting started with SL Migrations

Part of the doc set: [SL Migrations](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations.md)

> An introduction to the plugin and how to create your first backup package.

SL Migrations is a WordPress plugin for **backup, migration and restore**. It packs your entire site (files + database) into a single archive file together with a standalone installer file, so you can restore the site on any server that supports PHP and MySQL.

## Install the plugin

1. In the WordPress admin, go to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**.
2. Choose the plugin zip file → **Install Now** → **Activate**.
3. After activation, the **SL Migrations** menu appears in the admin sidebar.

## Minimum requirements

- WordPress 4.9+
- PHP 7.4+ (8.2 recommended)
- MySQL 5.6+ or an equivalent MariaDB
- PHP extensions: `zip`, `openssl`, `mbstring`, `curl`, `mysqli`

## Create your first backup

1. Go to **SL Migrations → Packages** and click **Create New**.
2. Name the backup package → **Next**.
3. **Scanner**: the plugin checks your environment and site size. Most warnings can be ignored - only fix things when you see a red error.
4. **Build**: the plugin compresses all files and exports the database.
5. When it finishes, download two files:
   - The **archive** file, which holds the site content
   - The **installer.php** file, used to restore the site

## Restore the site

1. Upload both files to the destination server (the website's root folder).
2. Open `https://site-dich.com/installer.php` in your browser.
3. Enter the new database details (host, database name, user, password).
4. The installer overwrites wp-config, imports the database and extracts the files.
5. When it is done, the new site is identical to the source site.

## Next steps

- [Detailed Quick Start](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/quick-start)
- [Schedule automatic backups](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/schedule-backup)
- [Restore guide](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/restore-wordpress-from-backup)