Maybe start from scratch again, this time cloning the repo, first, then composer install.
No, I didn't pull from any repo! I added git clone https://github.com/SilberWitch/eBookUtility to the start of my steps. That solved the lack of user directory, so that's good. Getting errors on composer install now though (can't generate composer.lock). I'll try again tomorrow maybe.
Discussion
Getting closer. Tried in two places, local and VPS. On VPS, can't get over php extension errors (tried installing, no luck). On local laptop, got things installed that were headaches yesterday (composer, extensions) and things seem to be working. But "article eventID was not created" so, hmm.
That's the relay writing error from me. I should make it more clear.