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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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Draw.io
Application256MB+ RAM
Diagramming and whiteboarding application
diagramswhiteboardflowcharts
Deploy Draw.io in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Draw.io
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 Draw.io on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Draw.io template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted diagramming app for flowcharts, UML, network diagrams, and whiteboards on your VPS, then verify the Draw.io web UI in a browser.
About 7 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 Draw.io
Use the template picker search to find Draw.io in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Draw.io template
Choose the Draw.io template. Server Compass fills in the single Draw.io web service and maps the browser port.
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Step 5Review the Draw.io settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named drawio-demo and used host port 8080.
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Step 6Deploy Draw.io
Review the generated environment values, confirm the 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 Draw.io image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Draw.io is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Draw.io app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Draw.io in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Draw.io web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After Draw.io Opens
- Add a domain and HTTPS before using Draw.io for sensitive diagrams.
- Decide whether diagrams should be saved locally in the browser or to an external storage provider.
- Restrict access with a reverse proxy or private network if the instance should not be public.
Draw.io deployment questions
What does the Draw.io template deploy?
It deploys the self-hosted Draw.io web application so users can create flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and other diagrams in a browser.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 8080, which maps to the Draw.io web service on container port 8080.
Why does the guide stop at the login or setup web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean Draw.io web UI because diagram storage, sharing, HTTPS, and access-control choices depend on the production setup.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Draw.io template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Do It Yourself
Deploy Draw.io via Command Line
Prefer the command line? Follow this step-by-step guide to deploy Draw.io manually on your VPS.
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Open a Terminal Connection
Start by opening a terminal window and connecting to your VPS via SSH.
terminal
# Connect to your VPS
ssh root@your-server-ip
# Or with a specific SSH key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/your-key root@your-server-ipFirst time? Docker required! Install it with: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
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Create Application Directory
Create a dedicated space for your application deployment.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/drawio
cd ~/apps/drawio3
Create Deployment Configuration
Create a docker-compose.yml file with the following configuration:
docker-compose.yml
services:
drawio:
image: jgraph/drawio
ports:
- "8080:8080"
restart: unless-stopped
Configuration Variables
PORTHost port to expose(default: 8080)4
Launch Your Application
Deploy the stack and monitor the startup process.
terminal
# Spin up containers
docker compose up -d
# Verify deployment
docker compose ps
# Check logs for errors
docker compose logs -f5
Enable External Access
Set up firewall rules to permit incoming connections.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:8080Skip the Terminal
Skip the command line. Deploy visually.
Deploy Draw.io with a beautiful UI instead. No SSH, no YAML editing, no terminal commands. Just click, configure, and deploy in under 3 minutes.
- Visual config editor
- Instant deployment
- Automatic HTTPS
- Smooth updates
- Live monitoring
- Quick rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying Draw.io with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Access draw.io in your browser
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Create and save diagrams locally
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Draw.io FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Draw.io
How do I deploy Draw.io with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Draw.io 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 Draw.io?
Draw.io 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 Draw.io data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Draw.io backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Draw.io to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Draw.io image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Draw.io free to self-host?
Draw.io 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 Draw.io?
Download Server Compass and deploy Draw.io to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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