Questions organizations ask before and after installation.
These answers cover the platform as a whole. For step-by-step procedures, use the Help Library; for experience and workflow discussion, use the Community.
What is DivisionDesk?
DivisionDesk is a modular website and organization-management platform. It combines a public website and page-building tools with operational capabilities such as membership, documents/forms, communications, events, finance integrations, Store packages, version-aware Help and other installable features.
Who is DivisionDesk designed for?
It is designed for divisions, chapters, camps, associations, clubs, nonprofits and similar organizations that need more than a brochure website. The platform emphasizes scoped permissions, organizational workflows and the ability to add capabilities without rebuilding the entire site.
Do I need SSH to install DivisionDesk?
No. SSH installation is convenient when available, but the single-file browser installer supports shared hosting through local filesystem access. The installation directory must be writable by PHP; Manual ZIP remains available as an emergency fallback.
What database does DivisionDesk use?
DivisionDesk supports SQLite for lighter installations and MySQL/MariaDB for production environments where multiple users, background jobs, webhooks and concurrent integrations are expected.
Can I change themes without rebuilding my site?
Yes. Site content is stored independently from the active theme. Changing presentation does not require throwing away the content structure you already built.
Do new themes or modules require a Core update?
Normally no. Modules, Themes, Widgets, Widget Packs, Site Templates and Page Layouts are independently versioned Store packages. Core changes are required only when a package depends on a newer Core contract or capability.
What happens when a package has dependencies?
DivisionDesk resolves required dependencies and compatibility before installation/update. Required dependencies are installed in the correct order when available, optional integrations can be recommended, and declared conflicts or incompatible Core/PHP versions block unsafe combinations.
What is the difference between a Theme and a Site Template?
A Theme controls visual presentation. A Site Template is a complete editable starter website containing pages, navigation, content structure and an appropriate Theme dependency.
What is a Widget Pack?
A Widget Pack distributes a coordinated group of reusable widgets while allowing those widgets to be placed independently. This is useful for collections such as education/reference, accessibility, visitor tools or activity content.
Can DivisionDesk run modules on the central Server as well as client websites?
Yes, when the module explicitly supports the Server runtime. Dual-runtime modules can register Server administration pages, settings, scheduled jobs, Help, events and shared capabilities through the Server Module SDK while also providing client-side functionality.
How are updates delivered?
The Server publishes versioned package metadata and verified archives. Compatible clients resolve available releases, licensing/organization rules and dependencies before download. Core and Store packages can update independently.
What is the DivisionDesk Community?
The Community is a public, searchable discussion area for implementation questions and workflows. Reading is public. Posting requires a registered DivisionDesk client key so public discussions remain tied to actual installations.
How do Feature Requests work?
Verified customers can describe a problem, vote and discuss requests. Public statuses show whether a request is new, under review, planned, in development or shipped. Shipped requests remain public as searchable product history.
Who owns information stored in a customer DivisionDesk installation?
The customer organization retains its rights in its own rosters, documents, photographs, website content and other customer content. DivisionDesk receives only the limited rights necessary to provide the software/service functions the customer has enabled.
Where can I read the Privacy Policy and Terms?
The current effective policies are published at Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Version history is managed through DivisionDesk Legal & Policies administration.
Where should I go when I need help?
Start with Help & Documentation for maintained instructions. Use Community for discussion and experience. Use the website Messenger for direct support/contact, and use Feature Requests when the software itself should change.