To get running, I ran the mysql_db_struct.sql ddl in a client then the 'package' goal on maven drop the war in apache/webapps run http://localhost:8080/jforum/install.jsp to set it up then in the installed app, Remove the line "install = net.jforum.view.install.InstallAction" from the file WEB-INF/config/modulesMapping.properties The directory "images", "tmp", "upload" and "WEB-INF" (and their sub-directories) should have write permission for the user who started the app Open the file WEB-INF/config/SystemGlobals.properties and search for a key named user.hash.sequence. - change it a bit -- tips If you want to deny anonymous post in JForum, just go to Admin Control Panel > Group Managment > General > Permission Choose all boards in the deny anonymous post section.