---
title: "Maintenance (System)"
manual: "Getting Started"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:system-maintenance@main"
source: "Concepts/Backend/SystemMaintainerArea/Maintenance.rst"
rendered: "2026-09-20T09:47:06+00:00"
---

# Maintenance (System) {#system-maintenance}

<!-- TODO: no Markdown rendering for "versionchanged" -->

This module has been moved from Admin tools to System
see Feature: #107628 - Improved backend module naming and structure.

Only available if [`typo3/cms-install`](https://packagist.org/packages/typo3/cms-install) is installed.

The backend module **System > Maintenance** offers tools
to system maintainers that are necessary during development or updates.

Some of the tools available here include:

-   [Flush TYPO3 and PHP Cache](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:flush-typo3-and-php-cache@main)
-   [Analyze Database Structure](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:analyze-database-structure@main)
-   [Create Administrative User](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:create-administrative-user@main)
-   [Check and Update Reference Index](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:check-and-update-reference-index@main)

## Flush TYPO3 and PHP Cache {#admin-tools-maintenance-flush-cache}

By clicking the button **Flush cache** you can flush all caches. This is
necessary during development if you changed files like
[Fluid templates](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:fluid-templates@main), [TypoScript files](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:typoscript@main),
or PHP files.

It is also necessary to flush caches after installing or updating extensions.

You can achieve the same effect by calling

```bash
ddev typo3 cache: flush
```

> [!NOTE]
> Flushing the cache via the "Clear cache" buttons in the
> [Top Bar](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:top-bar@main) does not have the same effect. It does not flush
> PHP related caches.

## Analyze Database Structure {#admin-tools-maintenance-database-analyzer}

Aside its name this tool does not only analyze the database structure but also
offers to fix it for you.

Database changes can be necessary when [TCA files](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3start:tca@main) where changed or
extensions installed / updated.

## Create Administrative User {#admin-tools-maintenance-create-admin}

This tool can be used to create a new administrative backend user with or
without maintainer privileges.

You can also create a new backend user from the console:

```bash
ddev typo3 backend:user:create
```

and from the module **Administration > Users**. The latter cannot
grant system maintainer rights but is available to all admins.

## Check and Update Reference Index {#admin-tools-maintenance-reference-index}

<!-- TODO: no Markdown rendering for "versionchanged" -->

This tool has been moved here from module System > DB Check.

TYPO3 keeps a record of relations between all records.
This may get out of sync when certain operations are performed
without the strict context of the backend. It is therefore
useful to update this index regularly.

You can also use the following console command:

```bash
ddev typo3 referenceindex:update
```

The console command has the advantage that it does not cause time outs on large
pages.