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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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DumbPad
Infrastructure256MB+ RAM
Stupid simple self-hosted notepad - one shared text area, optional PIN protection
infrastructurestoragedumbpadopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy DumbPad in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select DumbPad
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy DumbPad on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the DumbPad template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted notepad app on your VPS, then verify the notepad page 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 DumbPad
Use the template picker search to find DumbPad in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the DumbPad template
Choose the DumbPad template. Server Compass fills the single-container notepad app, notes volume, base URL, site title, optional PIN, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the DumbPad settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named dumbpad-demo and used host port 4206.
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Step 6Deploy DumbPad
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the DumbPad 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 DumbPad image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm DumbPad is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the DumbPad app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open DumbPad in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The DumbPad page confirms the shared notepad app is reachable.
After DumbPad Opens
- Set a strong PIN before exposing DumbPad beyond a private network.
- Use HTTPS before accepting real notes.
- Back up the DumbPad notes volume if saved notes must be retained.
- Set BASE_URL to the final public URL when putting DumbPad behind a domain.
- Start with a harmless sample note before saving real notes.
- Restrict access with a reverse proxy, VPN, or firewall for production use.
- Keep the DumbPad image updated for application and dependency fixes.
Verified Result
The DumbPad web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
DumbPad deployment questions
What does the DumbPad template deploy?
It deploys DumbPad as a single-container personal shared notepad app with persistent data storage.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4206, which maps to the DumbPad web UI inside the container on the same generated port.
Does DumbPad need setup after deployment?
Open the app, enter the PIN if configured, type a harmless sample note, and confirm the notepad page renders correctly.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the DumbPad template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying DumbPad with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Open http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}} - if a PIN is set, enter it to unlock
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Start typing - changes are auto-saved to `/app/data` inside the container
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Configure a reverse proxy with HTTPS before sharing the URL publicly
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(Optional) Back up the `dumbpad_data` volume periodically
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
DumbPad FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting DumbPad
How do I deploy DumbPad with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select DumbPad 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 DumbPad?
DumbPad 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 DumbPad data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard DumbPad backup and restore procedures.
How do I update DumbPad to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest DumbPad image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is DumbPad free to self-host?
DumbPad 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 DumbPad?
Download Server Compass and deploy DumbPad to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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