How to install a Nextcloud app

Nextcloud apps add server-side features such as calendars, external storage connectors, workflows, or sign-in controls after the base server is running. Installing one through the app catalog is a normal administrator task when a site needs a feature that is not shipped or enabled by default.

The web Apps page and the occ app:install command use the same app store backing when the app store is enabled. The CLI path fits production maintenance because it runs as the web-server user, leaves a terminal record, and does not depend on an active admin browser session.

Run occ from the Nextcloud web root as the web-server account, commonly www-data on Debian and Ubuntu package-style installs. Use the app ID from the app store URL or the Apps page, and install only apps compatible with the running Nextcloud release; forcing an incompatible app can break background jobs, UI pages, or future upgrades.

Related: How to disable a Nextcloud app

Steps to install a Nextcloud app with occ:

Open a shell on the Nextcloud server and move to the Nextcloud web root.
```
$ cd /var/www/nextcloud
```
Use the directory that contains occ if your server is installed somewhere else.

Related: How to run Nextcloud occ commands
Copy the app ID from the Nextcloud app store URL or the Apps page.

For the Calendar app, the display name is Calendar and the app ID is calendar.
Install the app as the web-server user.
```
$ sudo -E -u www-data php occ app:install calendar
calendar 6.5.0 installed
calendar enabled
```
app:install downloads the app and enables it by default. Use --keep-disabled before the app ID only when the app should be staged but not activated yet.

Use --force only after checking the app release notes and compatibility notes. It ignores the Nextcloud version requirement for the app.

Confirm the app appears in the enabled app list.

$ sudo -E -u www-data php occ app:list --enabled
Enabled:
  - activity: 7.0.0
  - appstore: 1.0.0
  - calendar: 6.5.0
##### snipped #####

For the sample Calendar app, open Calendar from the Nextcloud app switcher as an administrator.

For other app types, use the equivalent app menu entry or admin settings page. Some apps become active immediately after installation, while others require app-specific setup before users see a new menu entry.