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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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Anubis
Infrastructure256MB+ RAM
Proof-of-work bot challenge reverse proxy that weighs the souls of incoming web requests
infrastructurenetworkinganubisopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Anubis in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Anubis
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 Anubis on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Anubis template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted proof-of-work bot challenge reverse proxy on your VPS, then verify the challenge page.
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 Anubis
Use the template picker search to find Anubis in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Anubis template
Choose the Anubis template. Server Compass fills the reverse proxy service, proof-of-work difficulty, target upstream URL, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the Anubis settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named anubis-demo and used host port 4256.
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Step 6Deploy Anubis
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Anubis 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 Anubis image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Anubis is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Anubis app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Anubis in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Anubis challenge or proxy response confirms the web service is reachable.
After Anubis Opens
- Set TARGET to the real upstream application before using Anubis in production.
- Tune DIFFICULTY carefully so it slows abusive clients without harming legitimate users.
- Place Anubis behind HTTPS and a production reverse proxy before serving real traffic.
- Monitor challenge solve rates and upstream error rates after launch.
- Restrict administrative access to the Server Compass stack and any upstream service.
- Document which application is protected by this Anubis instance.
- Keep the Anubis image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Anubis web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Anubis deployment questions
What does the Anubis template deploy?
It deploys the Anubis proof-of-work challenge reverse proxy container with configurable difficulty and upstream target settings.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4256, which maps to the Anubis web service on container port 8923.
Does Anubis need setup after deployment?
Yes. For production, change TARGET from the placeholder upstream to the application you want to protect, then test the challenge flow end to end.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Anubis template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Anubis with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Decide which service should sit behind Anubis (the `TARGET`). It must be reachable from the Anubis container by DNS name
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Edit the compose to attach Anubis to your app's Docker network, e.g. `networks: [my-app-net]`, with `my-app-net` declared as `external: true`
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Set `TARGET` to the upstream's internal URL (e.g. `http://my-app:8080`) and redeploy
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Point your edge reverse proxy (Traefik / Caddy / nginx) at http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}} instead of directly at the app
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Visit your public hostname - you should see the Anubis challenge page briefly, then be forwarded to the upstream. Tune `DIFFICULTY` based on user experience
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Anubis FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Anubis
How do I deploy Anubis with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Anubis 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 Anubis?
Anubis 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 Anubis data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Anubis backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Anubis to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Anubis image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Anubis free to self-host?
Anubis 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 Anubis?
Download Server Compass and deploy Anubis to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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