Install and Updates

Install order matters for ArrowChat on Joomla. You install and license ArrowChat from ArrowSuites under the site root first, and only then you install pkg_rca_arrowchat. Skipping that order produces a dashboard that cannot find autoload.php, and that is not a bridge bug—it is a prerequisite you skipped.

First-time install of ArrowChat and the RCA package

Install ArrowChat from ArrowSuites

Install and license ArrowChat from ArrowSuites so the chat folder sits next to Joomla’s index.php in the same site root. Confirm ArrowChat’s own administrator URL opens before you upload the RCA package. If you cannot open ArrowChat admin, fix ArrowChat first because the RCA component has nothing to integrate.

Install pkg_rca_arrowchat

Open System, then Install Extensions, and upload the current ZIP from https://recreatinganew.com. Confirm these child extensions appear under System, Manage, Extensions: System - RCA ArrowChat, the RCA ArrowChat component (com_rca_arrowchat), and the RCA ArrowChat Staff module (mod_rca_arrowchat_staff). Open Components, RCA ArrowChat, set Options including ArrowChat folder name, run Write bridge from the dashboard, and then enable System - RCA ArrowChat under System, Plugins.

Publish the staff module when you need a dock

Open Content, Site Modules, and publish RCA ArrowChat Staff when you want a Hotline-style presence dock or inline staff list. Assign a template position or enable viewport dock, set icon and ring colors if you care about branding, and limit module access when only staff should see the dock.

Upgrade the RCA package

Install a newer pkg_rca_arrowchat ZIP over the existing package through System, Install Extensions, or accept the free update from Extensions, Manage, Update. Re-check component Options, click Write bridge if the dashboard warns about integration.php or the avatar resolver, confirm the system plugin and staff module are still enabled and published, clear Joomla cache, and smoke test login, chat load, presence, and avatars on the frontend.

After you update ArrowChat itself

ArrowChat updates from ArrowSuites often replace integration.php and wipe RCA’s bridge settings. Take a backup or work on staging first. Update ArrowChat the way ArrowSuites documents. Re-open Components, RCA ArrowChat, and click Write bridge so friend mode, avatars, and Joomla identity settings return. Confirm System - RCA ArrowChat is still enabled and the staff module is still published. Clear cache and retest avatars and friend mode with two logged-in accounts.

Uninstall RCA ArrowChat

Uninstalling the RCA package does not uninstall ArrowChat. Unpublish or delete the RCA ArrowChat Staff module if you published one. Disable System - RCA ArrowChat. Uninstall the package or the three child extensions through System, Manage, Extensions. integration.php remains as last written by Write bridge unless you restore your backup or rebuild from ArrowSuites guidance. Clear Joomla cache after uninstall.