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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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Cloudflared
Infrastructure128MB+ RAM
Cloudflare Tunnel client - expose services without opening ports
tunnelcloudflarereverse-proxysecurity
Deploy Cloudflared in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Cloudflared
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 Cloudflared on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Cloudflared template in Server Compass to deploy an accountless Cloudflare Quick Tunnel and verify the generated HTTPS URL.
About 8 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 Cloudflared
Use the template picker search to find Cloudflared in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Cloudflared template
Choose the Cloudflared template. Server Compass fills the Cloudflare Quick Tunnel service, which does not open an inbound host port.
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Step 5Review the Cloudflared settings
Confirm the app name and service settings. In this run, the app was named cloudflared-demo; Cloudflared does not expose a public server port.
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Step 6Deploy Cloudflared
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Quick Tunnel command, 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 Cloudflared image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Cloudflared is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Cloudflared app is marked Running.
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Step 9Open the generated Quick Tunnel URL
Read the generated trycloudflare.com URL from the Cloudflared logs and open it in a browser. The Cloudflare Tunnel hello-world page confirms the outbound tunnel is connected.
After Cloudflared Opens
- Copy the generated trycloudflare.com URL from the container logs when testing preview access.
- Treat Quick Tunnels as ephemeral test tunnels with no uptime guarantee.
- For production, create a named Cloudflare Tunnel in Zero Trust and configure fixed public hostnames.
- Route named tunnels to specific internal services and put sensitive apps behind Cloudflare Access.
Verified Result
The generated Quick Tunnel URL loaded successfully in Chromium: https://solomon-pee-phone-grown.trycloudflare.com
Cloudflared deployment questions
What does the Cloudflared template deploy?
It deploys the official Cloudflared container in Quick Tunnel hello-world mode so you can verify an outbound Cloudflare Tunnel without opening inbound VPS ports.
Which port did the tutorial use?
No inbound host port is published. Cloudflared connects outbound to Cloudflare and prints a generated trycloudflare.com HTTPS URL in the logs.
Is a Quick Tunnel production-ready?
No. Quick Tunnels are ephemeral and accountless. Use a named Cloudflare Tunnel with a tunnel token and configured public hostnames for production.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Cloudflared template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host Cloudflared?
Cloudflared creates secure tunnels from your server to Cloudflare's network, exposing your services to the internet without opening any ports on your firewall. This is the safest way to make self-hosted services publicly accessible — no exposed ports means dramatically reduced attack surface.
Expose services publicly without opening any firewall ports
Free SSL/TLS certificates handled automatically by Cloudflare
DDoS protection included at no extra cost
Access services via custom domains with zero-trust security
No need for a static IP or dynamic DNS setup
Cloudflared vs Alternatives
Cloudflared vs Nginx reverse proxy
Nginx requires open ports and SSL configuration. Cloudflared tunnels through Cloudflare with zero open ports and automatic SSL.
Cloudflared vs Tailscale
Tailscale is for private access. Cloudflared publishes services to the internet through Cloudflare's CDN and DDoS protection.
Cloudflared vs ngrok
ngrok has bandwidth limits and paid plans. Cloudflared is free for unlimited bandwidth with Cloudflare's full CDN.
Why Deploy Cloudflared with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys Cloudflared and lets you configure your tunnel token through the GUI. No need to manually edit config files — just paste your token from the Cloudflare dashboard and your services are live.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying Cloudflared with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Configure tunnel token from Cloudflare dashboard
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Map services to public hostnames
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Verify tunnel connectivity
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Cloudflared FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Cloudflared
How do I deploy Cloudflared with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Cloudflared 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 Cloudflared?
Cloudflared requires a minimum of 128MB 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 Cloudflared data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Cloudflared backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Cloudflared to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Cloudflared image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Cloudflared free to self-host?
Cloudflared 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 Cloudflared?
Download Server Compass and deploy Cloudflared to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass