System Requirements
Server and software requirements for running the HiAnime WordPress theme
Requirements Overview
Before installing HiAnime, make sure your hosting environment meets all of the following requirements. Missing any of these — especially the Ioncube Loader — will prevent the theme from working correctly.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| WordPress | 6.7 or higher |
| PHP | 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3 |
| PHP Extension | Ioncube Loader (required) |
| PHP Extension | cURL (required) |
| PHP Extension | fileinfo (required) |
| Required Plugin | Meta Box |
WordPress Version
HiAnime requires WordPress 6.7 or higher. Always keep your WordPress installation up to date to ensure compatibility and security.
PHP Version
HiAnime is compatible with PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 only.
- PHP 8.0 and below — Not supported
- PHP 8.1 – 8.3 — Supported ✅
- PHP 8.4+ — Not tested, may cause issues
To check your PHP version, go to Tools > Site Health in your WordPress admin and look under the Info tab, or ask your hosting provider.
Required PHP Extensions
Ioncube Loader
HiAnime includes Ioncube-encoded PHP files. The Ioncube Loader extension must be installed and enabled on your server. Without it, the theme will show a fatal error and will not function at all.
Most managed WordPress hosts (e.g. Cloudways, RunCloud, GridPane) support Ioncube. If you're on shared hosting, contact your provider to enable it. To verify it's active, create a phpinfo.php file:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>Upload it to your site root, visit yoursite.com/phpinfo.php, and search for "ionCube". You should see an entry like:
ionCube PHP Loader (enabled)
Delete the phpinfo.php file immediately after verifying. It exposes sensitive server information.
cURL
The cURL extension is required for API requests, license verification, and fetching data from external sources (such as MyAnimeList). It is enabled by default on virtually all modern hosts, but verify it's present in your phpinfo() output if you encounter connectivity issues.
fileinfo
The fileinfo extension is required for proper file type detection when uploading and handling media files. Like cURL, it is typically enabled by default on modern hosts.
Required Plugin
Meta Box
HiAnime requires the Meta Box plugin to power its custom fields (anime metadata, episodes, etc.). This plugin is bundled with the theme and will be prompted for installation immediately after the theme is activated.
Use the Meta Box — install it from the WordPress plugin repository.
Checking Your Requirements
The quickest way to verify your server meets all requirements is through WordPress Site Health:
- In your WordPress admin, go to
Tools > Site Health - Click the Info tab
- Expand the Server section to see your PHP version and active extensions
Alternatively, use a phpinfo() page (see the Ioncube section above) to search for each extension by name: ionCube, curl, fileinfo.
What If My Server Doesn't Meet Requirements?
Ioncube Loader not available
Contact your hosting provider and ask them to enable the Ioncube Loader for your PHP version. If they cannot, consider switching to a host that supports it. Popular managed hosts like Cloudways, RunCloud, and SpinupWP support Ioncube via a simple toggle.
Wrong PHP version
- Log in to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.)
- Find the PHP Version or MultiPHP Manager setting
- Switch to PHP 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3
- If this option isn't available, contact your hosting provider
cURL or fileinfo missing
Contact your hosting provider and ask them to enable curl and fileinfo for your PHP configuration. These are standard extensions and any reputable host should be able to enable them immediately.
Once your server meets all requirements, proceed to the Installation Guide.