First-Run Onboarding

When The Wizard Appears

The wizard appears on fresh installations and when an older installation still uses the retired default password. While onboarding is pending, Phaeton keeps charging control inactive.

GX Settings For Control Panel

Use the GX display or Remote Console. Newer menus use Settings → VRM; older menus call it Settings → VRM online portal.

• Connect the GX to the internet under Settings → Connectivity → Ethernet / Wi-Fi (older UI: Settings → Ethernet / Wi-Fi).
• Open Settings → VRM → VRM Portal and select Full if the owner wants remote configuration. Read-only and Off do not provide the required access.
• Check Last contact in the VRM menu: it should be recent, with no connection error. Register the GX with the intended VRM installation if needed, and make sure your VRM account may change its settings.
• Keep Settings → General → Modification checks → Modifications enabled on for Phaeton's normal startup.
• Use the GX's local MQTT services and a supported Phaeton deployment. Version 0.59.0 manages the route for fresh installs and named MQTT instances. Existing default Modbus installations keep their registration.

Open Through VRM Control Panel

VRM Control Panel opens Phaeton's setup or sign-in page remotely. Version 0.59.0 adds automatic route management for fresh GX USB/SSH installs and existing named MQTT instances. Releases through 0.58.4 do not prepare it automatically. An EVCS entry alone does not establish web access.

• Complete the GX settings above, start Phaeton and allow the device list to refresh. Initial MQTT registration waits 17 seconds.
• In VRM, open your installation, select Device list, expand the intended Phaeton EV Charging Station and select Control Panel. During onboarding the entry is named Phaeton - setup / activation. Remote Console opens the GX interface; Dashboard Controls provides charging controls.
• Create your Phaeton administrator account on first setup, or sign in with the existing Phaeton credentials. VRM access does not replace that login or the separate Phaeton licensing-portal account.

VRM Availability And Local Fallback

Phaeton uses MQTT internally on GX and manages its own nginx include and proxy. GX retains ownership of its security profile, VRM settings and tunnel. LAN MQTT and network-device pairing do not create this route. Control Panel requires no SSH on LAN, Remote Support or router port forwarding.

Earlier Cerbo GX trials verified setup, login/logout and activation-page access. The new automatic lifecycle, completed activation, licensed dashboard and updates still require GX/VRM qualification. Use local HTTPS for commissioning while verification is outstanding. Version 0.59.0 checks and repairs its route every 30 seconds after reboot or Venus regeneration.

If Control Panel is missing or opens GX, check the deployment version, GX internet, VRM Full mode and permissions. Inspect --control-panel status and Phaeton logs on 0.59.0. Continue locally at https://GX-IP:8088/ or the instance's assigned port. Local access works without VRM or GX internet.

Wizard Steps

• For local HTTPS, compare the browser certificate fingerprint with PHAETON-RESULT.html on the USB stick or the SSH installer output before continuing. The VRM relay presents its own HTTPS certificate; the local device fingerprint does not apply to it.
• Choose a local admin username and password. Phaeton 0.58.0 and later do not require a setup code. For older releases, follow the setup-code help in the installation guide.
• Select your charger integration and enter its connection details.
• Complete the GX connection settings for your intended integration. After setup, choose Phaeton or Victron GX as the Auto controller in Settings.
• Review and save the configuration.

After Saving

Phaeton redirects to the sign-in page. Sign in with the admin credentials you just created. A restart may be required before all services are active.