TicketLab documentation

TicketLab manages free-event bookings and check-in on Joomla. The package installs the TicketLab component and three optional site modules: Line-up, Promo and Event Bar.

Requirements

• Project target: Joomla 5.4 or 6.1, PHP 8.3 or later and a MySQL-compatible database. Confirm the exact supported versions with the published ZIP.
• Working Joomla mail delivery for ticket email. The bundled ticket/PDF libraries use PHP GD, mbstring, DOM, JSON and ZIP.
• HTTPS and browser camera permission for camera scanning.

Install and configure

1. Back up the site and database if upgrading. Install the TicketLab package through System > Install > Extensions.
2. Open Components > TicketLab > Options > General. Set ticket email details, prefixes, optional ticket logo, PDF attachment preference, guest booking and Town / City settings.
3. In Options > Scanner, enable scanning and set an optional check-in window. Review Options > Permissions for staff access.

Create an event

1. Open Components > TicketLab > Events > New. Enter the title, date, venue and description, plus any optional image, capacity and booking dates. Publish the event.
2. Create and publish at least one Ticket Type. Set its capacity, quantity limits, booking dates and attendee-name requirement as needed. Ticket prices are fixed at zero in this edition.
3. Add a Joomla menu item for TicketLab: Events List or TicketLab: Single Event. The Single Event field selects a published event by name.

You can also publish a TicketLab: Line-up Page for an event. Configure line-up profile types in Options > Line-up.

Bookings and ticket delivery

Visitors select free ticket quantities, enter contact details and, when required, attendee names. The booking form has no monetary total. A confirmed booking has a reference and individual mobile QR tickets; PDF tickets are available and tickets can be sent by email.

Use Bookings to see ticket quantities, customer details, issued tickets and email status. The booking detail page can resend tickets. Use Attendees to search tickets and export a CSV. Protect exported personal data.

Door check-in

Publish a TicketLab: Ticket Scanner menu item for authorised staff or use an event-specific door staff link. Test access with a restricted account. Open the scanner on a phone over HTTPS, allow camera access and scan a ticket. Manual search is available when camera access is unavailable. Test valid, duplicate and wrong-event responses before doors open.

Organisers and modules

The Organiser Dashboard shows assigned events, bookings, issued tickets and check-ins, with scanner and attendee-export links. Organisers must sign in and have the relevant event assignment and permissions.

Line-up, Promo and Event Bar modules are included. Publish and configure them in Joomla template positions as needed.

Additional tools

Issue Comp Tickets creates standard scannable tickets. The administrator account needs Manage Bookings in TicketLab > Options > Permissions. DemoLab Snapshot Tables control reset data, not Joomla permissions.

Moving to Pro

TicketLab and TicketLab Pro use separate component names and database tables and can run side by side. Installing Pro does not automatically transfer Free data. Keep a backup and the Free installation until any migration has been checked.

Quick troubleshooting

• Event missing: check the event and ticket type publication state, booking dates and capacity.
• No ticket email: check Joomla mail delivery, sender address and the booking email status.
• Camera unavailable: check HTTPS, browser permission and scanner access; try manual search.
• Organiser sees no events: check frontend login, event assignment and permissions.
• No update: check that a newer Free release has been published and the Joomla package update server is reachable.

Licence

TicketLab source code is distributed under the GNU GPL version 2 or later. The package includes GPL text and notices for its bundled third-party libraries.