There are a few ways.

1. Move the index.php and .htaccess file into the base folder. (The one with app/, boostrap/ etc.).

2. Stick your index.php and .htaccess file in the admin folder and keep the rest of the files outside of the public path (recommended).

In both cases you will need to update your index.php. There are 2 lines where it is requiring files and you will be changed.

I have apps using Laravel with both 1 and 2.

I think you may be missing a big part of what laravel does --- routing. You don't need to install Laravel in a subfolder, instead, install in your root directory, then create a route group under 'admin' for your admin panel. You can use the same laravel installation for your main site.

If you're sure you don't want to do that, you can install laravel as you would normally in your root on your /admin folder --- after all, the "root" is technically already in a subfolder on your VPS (probably /var/www/something)

i would do this

1- create a subdomain admin.yourdomain.com 2- create a router like this

Route::group(array('domain' => 'admin.yourdomain.com'), function()
{
	Route::get('/', function()
	{
		return View::make('admin.index');
	});
});