# Database setup

Create an empty MySQL or MariaDB database with the utf8mb4 character set.

1. Create an empty MySQL or MariaDB database with the `utf8mb4` character set.
2. Create a dedicated database user with a strong password.
3. Give that user the rights to create and alter tables and to read and write data.
4. Note the host, port, database name, username and password for the installer.

Don't reuse the database administrator account. On managed database services, also allow connections from the application host.