Install Guide
Get the BibleBridge reader running on your website in under 2 minutes. If something doesn't work, the fixes below cover 95% of cases.
Is it safe to install?
Yes. BibleBridge is open-source, security scanned, and runs inside its own folder. It does not modify your existing database, WordPress install, or other website files.
- Code is publicly available on GitHub and actively maintained
- No database tables created, no config files touched outside the
/biblebridgefolder - To remove it: delete the folder. That's the full uninstall.
Requirements
- PHP 7.4 or newer
- Apache with
mod_rewrite(or nginx with equivalent rewrites) - Outbound HTTPS allowed (to reach the BibleBridge API)
- Shared hosting, VPS, or managed host — all fine
Install in 3 steps
- Download the zip from the home page (268 KB).
- Unzip and upload the files into a subfolder named
/biblebridgeon your web server. Use cPanel's File Manager, FTP (FileZilla), or SFTP — whichever your host supports. - Visit
yoursite.com/biblebridge/setupin your browser. Enter your site name. Done.
The reader auto-provisions a free API key on first load (250 requests/day). No manual key setup.
Common issues and fixes
Setup page doesn't load — shows 404 or "Forbidden"
Likely: mod_rewrite isn't enabled on your host.
Fix: Contact your host and ask them to enable mod_rewrite. Most shared hosts have it on by default. As a workaround, visit /setup.php directly (the full file path) instead of the clean URL.
"Undefined function mb_strlen" or mbstring errors
Likely: the PHP mbstring extension isn't installed (common on x10hosting and some shared hosts).
Fix: The reader includes a polyfill in config.php that should handle this automatically. If you still see errors, contact your host and ask them to enable the mbstring PHP extension — it's standard and free.
White page or "PHP parse error"
Likely: Your host runs PHP older than 7.4.
Fix: In your hosting panel, look for "PHP Version" or "PHP Selector" and switch to 7.4 or higher (8.0+ recommended). Every modern host supports this.
"Connection failed" when setup runs
Likely: Your host blocks outbound HTTPS.
Fix: Contact your host and confirm outbound HTTPS to the BibleBridge API is reachable. If not, you may need to allow it or use a different host.
Setup finished but reader shows "reader is busy"
Likely: You've hit the Free tier's 250 requests/day cap.
Fix: This is normal — the reader will serve again at midnight UTC. If this happens regularly, upgrade to Growth or Scale on the pricing page.
Uninstalling
Delete the folder where you uploaded the files. That's it. Nothing else on your server is touched. No database tables created, no config files modified outside that folder.