How to Install and Configure LiteSpeed Cache for CS-Cart Print

Overview

LiteSpeed Cache for CS-Cart provides full-page caching at the web-server level for faster storefront loading times, improved SEO, and reduced server load. It integrates directly with LiteSpeed Web Server Enterprise and works with both CS-Cart and CS-Cart Multi-Vendor editions.

1. Requirements

• LiteSpeed Web Server Enterprise 5.4 or later with lscache module enabled
• CS-Cart 4.11 or later (Multi-Vendor supported)
• PHP 7.2 or newer (PHP Redis and LSAPI recommended)
• Access to the CS-Cart admin panel and file manager (or SSH/SFTP)

2. Download the Add-On

Download the latest LiteSpeed Cache add-on package for CS-Cart from the official sources:

• LiteSpeed Tech – CS-Cart Plugin Page
• LiteSpeed Cache for CS-Cart (GitHub Releases)

3. Upload the Add-On

1. Extract the downloaded archive on your local machine.
2. Upload the extracted folder to your CS-Cart installation under:
   /app/addons/
3. Ensure file permissions and ownership match your CS-Cart installation.

4. Activate the Add-On in CS-Cart

1. Log in to your CS-Cart Admin Panel.
2. Go to Add-ons → Manage Add-ons.
3. Click Upload & Install Add-on.
4. Select the LiteSpeed Cache add-on and install it.
5. Once installed, ensure its status is set to Active.

5. Update the .htaccess or Rewrite Rules

The add-on package includes a sample configuration file named htaccess_lscache.

Merge its contents into your existing CS-Cart .htaccess file in the site root, keeping the following rewrite section:

# LiteSpeed Cache Start
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} ^HEAD|GET$
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} (.+)
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/admin.php
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/api/
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} !nocache
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !/checkout/
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !/profile/
RewriteRule .* - [E=Cache-Control:max-age=3600]
# LiteSpeed Cache End

Save the file and clear existing caches using your hosting control panel or CS-Cart’s admin tools.

6. Verify Cache Operation

1. Open your store in a browser and refresh a few times.
2. In Developer Tools → Network tab, look for the response header:
   X-LiteSpeed-Cache: hit or miss.
3. If you see those headers, LiteSpeed Cache is active.

7. Common Configuration Tips

• Dynamic Blocks: The add-on uses ESI to cache public content while keeping dynamic cart and user data fresh.
• Purge Cache: Use Administration → Storage → Clear Cache in CS-Cart, or run:
  touch var/cache/clear_cache
• Exclude Sensitive URLs: Add checkout, cart, and admin paths to the exclusion list in the add-on settings.

8. Troubleshooting

• Ensure your domain resolves to the same server running LiteSpeed Web Server.
• Confirm the LSCache module is enabled:
  grep LSCACHE /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf
• Check permissions on var/cache/ directory.
• Review server logs in /usr/local/lsws/logs/ for LSCache-related messages.

More Information

• LiteSpeed Cache for CS-Cart Documentation
• LiteSpeed Cache Plugin Overview