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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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Blinko
Application512MB+ RAM
Open-source personal note-taking and bookmarking application with AI-powered features — capture thoughts, organize ideas, and search semantically
applicationnotesblinkoopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Blinko in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Blinko
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 Blinko on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Blinko template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted note-taking and bookmarking app on your VPS, then verify the web UI.
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 Blinko
Use the template picker search to find Blinko in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Blinko template
Choose the Blinko template. Server Compass fills the notes service, PostgreSQL backend, persistent data volumes, generated secrets, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the Blinko settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named blinko-demo and used host port 4171.
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Step 6Deploy Blinko
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Blinko 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 Blinko image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Blinko is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Blinko app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Blinko in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Blinko login or first-run screen confirms the notes app web UI is reachable.
After Blinko Opens
- Place Blinko behind HTTPS before storing private notes or bookmarks.
- Set NEXTAUTH_URL to the public URL users will use to reach the app.
- Keep NEXTAUTH_SECRET private and rotate it if sessions may be compromised.
- Back up the PostgreSQL and Blinko data volumes regularly.
- Create the first account intentionally because it may become the admin user.
- Configure any AI provider keys as secrets and avoid exposing them in screenshots or logs.
- Keep the Blinko image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Blinko web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Blinko deployment questions
What does the Blinko template deploy?
It deploys the Blinko notes/bookmarks web app with PostgreSQL and persistent data volumes.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4171, which maps to the Blinko web UI on container port 1111.
Does Blinko need setup after deployment?
Yes. Open the app, create the first account, then configure auth, AI features, and storage settings as needed.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Blinko template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Blinko with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Visit the application URL
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Sign up to create the first account
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Optionally configure AI provider keys from settings for semantic search
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Start capturing notes and bookmarks
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Blinko FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Blinko
How do I deploy Blinko with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Blinko 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 Blinko?
Blinko requires a minimum of 512MB 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 Blinko data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Blinko backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Blinko to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Blinko image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Blinko free to self-host?
Blinko 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 Blinko?
Download Server Compass and deploy Blinko to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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