# Customize the files and DB

**URL:** <https://forums.rocket.chat/t/customize-the-files-and-db/12850>\
**Category:** Development\
**Created:** [December 15, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/customize-the-files-and-db/12850 "2021-12-15T13:11:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![haroon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@haroon](https://forums.rocket.chat/u/haroon)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/customize-the-files-and-db/12850/1 "2021-12-15T13:11:10Z")

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Hi,  
how can i edit the files in the rocket chat server which i have locally?  
as i am new to this thing want to explore and use it. I have some questions also  
Questions:

1. How can i check the DB?
2. Can i query the Data? (I have mongoDB install with compass)
3. Where can i find admin side files and front end side files to edit?
4. Can i include this rocket chat in my running PHP project which is running on “[abc.com](http://abc.com)” domain?

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**Author:** ![dudanogueira](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/forums.rocket.chat/dudanogueira/32/2529_2.png) [@dudanogueira](https://forums.rocket.chat/u/dudanogueira)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.rocket.chat/t/customize-the-files-and-db/12850/2 "2021-12-20T22:55:03Z")

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hi! Welcome to our forums.

Rocket.Chat is written in node, and is built from there. You should avoid editing the files directly and/or doing your own build.

Also, you should avoid touching the DB directly. We have a great REST API ([REST API - Rocket.Chat Developer](https://developer.rocket.chat/reference/api/rest-api)) that allows your to change a lot of settings or manipulating the App data in a lot of ways.

You can, however, change a lot of settings and customize it. If this is not enough, you can always write apps to Rocket.Chat leveraging it’s robust App Engine ([Rocket.Chat App - Rocket.Chat Developer](https://developer.rocket.chat/apps-engine/rocket.chat-app)).

You can check the DB, an query the data. This will depend on your deployment method. I suggest using docker with docker-compose.

The best, and most user approach, is to deploy Rocket.Chat on a subdomain, such as [chat.abc.com](http://chat.abc.com) and use this subdomain with SSL in order to be able to connect using the mobile apps.

Let me know if you have any other doubt. Thanks!