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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your 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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Bluesky PDS
Application1024MB+ RAM
Self-hosted Personal Data Server for the Bluesky / ATProto network
applicationfediverseblueskypdsopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Bluesky PDS in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Bluesky PDS
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 Bluesky PDS on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Bluesky PDS template in Server Compass to deploy a Personal Data Server on your VPS, then verify the ATProto health endpoint before configuring production DNS and TLS.
About 6 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 Bluesky PDS
Use the template picker search to find Bluesky PDS in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Bluesky PDS template
Choose the Bluesky PDS template. Server Compass fills the PDS container, persistent data volume, hostname, admin credentials, JWT secret, PLC rotation key, and health-check port.
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Step 5Review the Bluesky PDS settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named bluesky-pds-demo and used host port 4102.
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Step 6Deploy Bluesky PDS
Review the generated hostname and required secrets, confirm the host port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Bluesky PDS image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Bluesky PDS is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Bluesky PDS app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Bluesky PDS in the browser
Open the health-check URL in a browser. A JSON response with a version confirms the PDS service is reachable.
After Bluesky PDS Opens
- Point the production PDS hostname and wildcard handle records to the server.
- Put the PDS behind HTTPS on the production hostname before federation use.
- Create invite codes or accounts with the PDS admin tooling after DNS and TLS are ready.
- Configure SMTP before inviting real users.
- Back up the pds_data volume regularly because it stores repository data.
Verified Result
The Bluesky PDS health endpoint returned a version JSON response in a browser.
Bluesky PDS deployment questions
What does the Bluesky PDS template deploy?
It deploys the official Bluesky PDS container with persistent `/pds` data and the ATProto service port mapped to the VPS.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4102, which maps to the PDS service on container port 3000.
Why does the guide stop at the health endpoint?
The health endpoint proves the PDS process is reachable. Full federation requires public DNS, wildcard handles, HTTPS, account creation, and SMTP setup for the final hostname.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Bluesky PDS template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Bluesky PDS with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Point your DNS so that PDS_HOSTNAME resolves to this server
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Configure a reverse proxy (e.g. Traefik, Caddy) with HTTPS for PDS_HOSTNAME -> port {{PORT}}
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Create your first invite code with pdsadmin create-invite-code
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Sign up using the Bluesky client and your PDS hostname
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Bluesky PDS FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Bluesky PDS
How do I deploy Bluesky PDS with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Bluesky PDS 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 Bluesky PDS?
Bluesky PDS requires a minimum of 1024MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 2048MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Bluesky PDS data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Bluesky PDS backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Bluesky PDS to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Bluesky PDS image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Bluesky PDS free to self-host?
Bluesky PDS 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 Bluesky PDS?
Download Server Compass and deploy Bluesky PDS to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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