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Guide · Open source

How to use AdminLTE: install, run and customize the dashboard

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

AdminLTE is a free, MIT-licensed admin dashboard template built on Bootstrap 5.3 and vanilla JavaScript, with no jQuery. It is a front-end template, so it gives you ready-made dashboard pages and components rather than a backend, database or login system. This guide shows you how to load it from a CDN or install it with npm or Composer, where to start, and which edition to pick for your stack.

AdminLTEColorlibHQ/AdminLTE · ★ 45.7k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your use case. Confirm you need a front-end admin template, not a finished app with a backend or login system.
  2. 2Pick a loading method. Use the CDN for a quick test, npm for a package-managed project, or Composer for a PHP project.
  3. 3Add the files. Include the adminlte.min.css and adminlte.min.js files from the CDN, or install admin-lte@4 with npm.
  4. 4Start from a demo page. Open the Getting Started guide or copy one of the demo pages as your starting layout.
  5. 5Connect your own data. Replace the demo content with your own pages and data, since the template does not include a backend or database.
  6. 6Check responsiveness and themes. Test layouts on phone and desktop sizes, and try dark mode or RTL if your project needs them.

What AdminLTE includes and what it does not

AdminLTE provides dashboard layouts, pages and components that are responsive from phone to desktop sizes. The v4 line adds dark mode and right-to-left (RTL) layout support.

It does not provide a finished application. You still need to connect your own data, backend and authentication.

  • Bootstrap 5.3 base with vanilla JavaScript (no jQuery)
  • Dark mode and RTL layout
  • Demo pages including Calendar, Kanban, Chat, File Manager, Mailbox and Wizard
  • Sidebar search and ribbons in version 4.3

Load AdminLTE from a CDN without a build step

The fastest way to try AdminLTE is to include its CSS and JavaScript files from the jsDelivr CDN in your HTML page. No build step is needed.

Start from the Getting Started guide or copy one of the demo pages.

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/admin-lte@4/dist/css/adminlte.min.css"> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/admin-lte@4/dist/js/adminlte.min.js"></script>

Install AdminLTE with npm or Composer

For a project that uses a package manager, install version 4 from npm. The README also lists a Composer package for PHP projects.

The npm install is for using AdminLTE in your project. The Node.js and npm requirements in the README apply when you develop AdminLTE itself.

  • Node.js 22.22.3+, 24.16.0+, or 26.3.0+ and npm 10+ are needed only to develop AdminLTE itself
  • Use the Composer package name shown in the README for PHP projects
npm install admin-lte@4 composer require almasaeed2010/adminlte

Develop and build AdminLTE itself

If you want to change AdminLTE's source, install dependencies with npm ci, then start the development server. The dev server opens on port 3000 with live reload.

Use npm run build for development assets, or npm run production for the full lint, test and optimize pipeline.

  • npm start: development server with file watching
  • npm run build: build all assets for development
  • npm run production: lint, unit tests and bundle-size budgets
  • npm run lint, npm test (Vitest), npm run test-browser, npm run test-a11y
npm ci npm start npm run build

Choose a framework edition for React, Vue, Laravel or Django

If your project uses a framework, the README lists official editions that carry the same AdminLTE 4 design with integrations for that stack. The HTML / Bootstrap core is the base for plain front-end pages.

Each edition has its own repository and install method. Check the table in that repository for the exact command, since some are listed only as 'see repo' in the README.

  • React and Next.js: adminlte-react
  • Vue 3 and Nuxt: adminlte-vue
  • Laravel: adminlte-laravel (composer require colorlibhq/adminlte-laravel)
  • Django: adminlte-django (pip install django-adminlte4)
  • Angular: adminlte-angular (npm i @adminlte/angular)

What people use it for

  • An internal admin panel or back-office tool built quickly on Bootstrap
  • A dashboard that matches an existing Bootstrap-based site
  • A React, Vue, Laravel or Django project using the matching framework edition
  • A project that needs dark mode or right-to-left layout from the start

Frequently asked questions

Is AdminLTE free to use?

Yes. AdminLTE is MIT-licensed and free, according to the README. The README also mentions premium templates, which are a separate offering.

How do I install AdminLTE?

You can load it from the jsDelivr CDN with a link and a script tag, or run npm install admin-lte@4. For PHP projects, the README lists composer require almasaeed2010/adminlte.

What are the requirements for AdminLTE?

The README lists Node.js 22.22.3+, 24.16.0+, or 26.3.0+ with npm 10+, but only for developing AdminLTE itself. Using the CDN or an installed package does not need them.

Does AdminLTE need jQuery?

No. The README states that AdminLTE uses vanilla JavaScript with no jQuery, and the v4 line was rewritten without it.

Does AdminLTE include login and a backend?

No. The README describes AdminLTE as a front-end template. Framework editions such as adminlte-laravel mention auth scaffolding, but the core template does not include a backend, database or login system.

How does AdminLTE compare to Tabler or CoreUI?

The README lists Tabler, CoreUI, SB Admin 2 and Volt Dashboard as comparable projects but does not compare them in detail. Test the demos of each to judge the look and the features you need.

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Our verdict

AdminLTE suits developers who want a free, MIT-licensed Bootstrap 5.3 dashboard with dark mode, RTL and framework editions for React, Vue, Laravel and Django. It is a poor fit if you want a finished app with a backend or login, do not use Bootstrap, or need a fully custom visual identity.

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