QC Digital Signature Requirements Before Installation

Check the Joomla, PHP, database, storage, mail, HTTPS, and PDF prerequisites before installing QC Digital Signature on a production site. QCDS 2.0.7 is designed to run without LibreOffice, Poppler, or another external document-conversion process.

The requirement that most often deserves special attention is Managed Private Storage: QCDS must be able to create and write protected storage outside the Joomla document root.

Supported Platform

  • Joomla: Joomla 5.4 or Joomla 6.x.
  • PHP: PHP 8.3 or later.
  • Database: MySQL or MariaDB through the normal Joomla database connection.
  • Image/PDF processing: the current completion path is self-contained in QCDS/PHP and uses GD-based image composition with QCDS' bundled PDF tooling.

Administrator Access

Use an administrator account that can install Joomla extensions and manage QC Digital Signature. For ongoing operation, the appropriate administrators also need access to Joomla Scheduled Tasks and Extension Manager/update functions.

Managed Private Storage Outside the Webroot

QCDS stores protected signing documents and evidence outside the public Joomla document root. The hosting account must allow Joomla/PHP to create and write that location. QCDS' current storage resolver rejects a storage root that is inside the Joomla webroot, is an ancestor of the webroot, or cannot be proven writable and safe.

If the installer or Status area reports that Managed Private Storage is unavailable, correct filesystem ownership/permissions or the server path before using QCDS for real documents.

Joomla Mail

QCDS sends invitations, reminders, completion notices, and other participant mail through Joomla's mail transport. Confirm Joomla itself can send mail before treating a QCDS delivery failure as a signing problem.

HTTPS

Use HTTPS for the QCDS frontend and signer access. Secure signer links, protected delivery, and current Authorized Domain verification are designed for a properly secured Joomla site. Fix certificate or forced-redirect problems before inviting production signers.

PDF Source Documents

New QCDS Template intake is PDF-only. Convert DOC, DOCX, or other office documents to PDF before uploading them as new Templates. The accepted QCDS path does not require LibreOffice, Poppler, proc_open, or another external document-conversion command on the server.

Optional Identity Verification Requirements

If you plan to use provider-backed Identity Verification, obtain credentials for a supported provider such as Didit or Shufti Pro and configure that feature separately. A provider account is not required for the normal Level 1 signing workflow.

Pre-Installation Checklist

  • Joomla 5.4 or 6.x is running normally.
  • PHP is 8.3 or later and the server provides the image-processing support required by the QCDS completion path.
  • MySQL or MariaDB is healthy through Joomla.
  • You can install/update Joomla extensions.
  • Joomla mail has passed a real delivery test.
  • The site uses working HTTPS.
  • The hosting account can provide writable storage outside the Joomla webroot.
  • Your source signing documents can be supplied as PDFs.

Community Discussion

Want to compare workflows, share practical tips, or discuss how you use this QCDS feature? Visit the QC Digital Signature Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.