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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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Drawnix
Development256MB+ RAM
Drawnix — open-source whiteboard and diagram editor (mind maps, flowcharts, sketches) in a single self-hosted container
developmentdevtoolsdrawnixopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Drawnix in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Drawnix
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Drawnix on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Drawnix template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted whiteboard and diagram editor on your VPS, then verify the canvas loads.
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 Drawnix
Use the template picker search to find Drawnix in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Drawnix template
Choose the Drawnix template. Server Compass fills the single-container whiteboard service and public web port.
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Step 5Review the Drawnix settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named drawnix-demo and used host port 4196.
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Step 6Deploy Drawnix
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Drawnix 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 Drawnix image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Drawnix is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Drawnix app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Drawnix in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Drawnix canvas confirms the whiteboard and diagram editor is reachable.
After Drawnix Opens
- Place Drawnix behind HTTPS and basic authentication before sharing it with a team.
- Remember that default boards are stored in the browser, so browser profile cleanup can remove local boards.
- Use a harmless test board before diagramming private systems.
- Add a reverse proxy access control layer because Drawnix has no built-in authentication.
- Document whether your team expects browser-local or server-side persistence.
- Test PNG/SVG export before relying on it for handoff workflows.
- Keep the Drawnix image updated for front-end and dependency fixes.
Verified Result
The Drawnix canvas loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Drawnix deployment questions
What does the Drawnix template deploy?
It deploys Drawnix as a single-container browser whiteboard for sketches, flowcharts, mind maps, and diagrams.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4196, which maps to the Drawnix web UI on container port 80.
Does Drawnix need setup after deployment?
No account setup is required. Open the canvas, create a small test shape, and confirm export or browser-local persistence behaves as expected.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Drawnix template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Drawnix with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Visit http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}} and verify the empty whiteboard loads
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Draw a quick test shape and refresh the page to confirm local-storage persistence
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Try Export → PNG / SVG to verify the export pipeline works
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(Optional) Attach a domain via the Domains tab and add basic-auth before sharing externally
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Drawnix FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Drawnix
How do I deploy Drawnix with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Drawnix 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 Drawnix?
Drawnix 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 Drawnix data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Drawnix backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Drawnix to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Drawnix image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Drawnix free to self-host?
Drawnix 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.
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