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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select the tutorial-vps VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
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AList
Infrastructure256MB+ RAM
Open-source file list/proxy program with WebDAV support and many storage backends
infrastructurestoragealistopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy AList in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select AList
Choose from our template library
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Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy AList on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the AList template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted file list and storage gateway web UI on your VPS, then verify the login screen.
About 10 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for AList
Use the template picker search to find AList in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the AList template
Choose the AList template. Server Compass fills the file-list service, persistent data volume, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the AList settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named alist-demo and used host port 4141.
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Step 6Deploy AList
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the AList web port is available, and click Deploy.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the AList image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm AList is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the AList app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open AList in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The AList first-run or dashboard screen confirms the web UI is reachable.
After AList Opens
- Place AList behind reverse proxy authentication or a VPN before exposing it beyond trusted networks.
- Use the generated admin password only for first login, then change it immediately.
- Restrict access to trusted IP addresses because storage listings and shared files can be sensitive.
- Set storage quotas and sharing rules before adding large remote drives.
- Back up the AList data volume because it contains configuration and storage provider metadata.
- Use HTTPS before exposing file management beyond a private network.
- Keep the AList image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The AList web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
AList deployment questions
What does the AList template deploy?
It deploys the AList web UI container with persistent config and media volumes.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4141, which maps to the AList web UI on container port 5244.
Does AList need setup after deployment?
Yes. Sign in with the generated administrator credentials from the container logs, change the password, then add storage providers.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the AList template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying AList with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Read the initial admin password from container logs: `docker logs <container> | grep password`
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Log in at /@manage and change the admin password under Settings
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Add storage backends (S3, OneDrive, Google Drive, local, WebDAV, etc.)
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Optionally configure SSO and meta settings for the listing UI
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
AList FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting AList
How do I deploy AList with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select AList from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for AList?
AList requires a minimum of 256MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing AList data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard AList backup and restore procedures.
How do I update AList to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest AList image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is AList free to self-host?
AList is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host AList?
Download Server Compass and deploy AList to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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