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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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Etherpad
Application512MB+ RAM
Real-time collaborative document editor — like a multiplayer notepad in the browser
applicationdocsetherpadopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Etherpad in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Etherpad
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 Etherpad on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Etherpad template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted collaborative text editor on your VPS, then verify the pad creation 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 Etherpad
Use the template picker search to find Etherpad in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Etherpad template
Choose the Etherpad template. Server Compass fills the Etherpad service, PostgreSQL service, admin password, database password, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the Etherpad settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named etherpad-demo and used host port 4104.
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Step 6Deploy Etherpad
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Etherpad 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 Etherpad image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Etherpad is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Etherpad app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Etherpad in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Etherpad start page confirms the collaborative editor is reachable.
After Etherpad Opens
- Store the Etherpad admin password in a password manager.
- Use HTTPS before inviting users to edit pads.
- Back up both the Etherpad data volume and PostgreSQL volume.
- Review public/private pad behavior before exposing the instance.
- Use the admin panel only from trusted networks.
- Install plugins carefully because they run in the editor environment.
- Keep the Etherpad image updated for editor and dependency fixes.
Verified Result
The Etherpad web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Etherpad deployment questions
What does the Etherpad template deploy?
It deploys Etherpad with PostgreSQL, a persistent editor data volume, and an admin password.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4104, which maps to the Etherpad web UI inside the container on the same generated port.
Does Etherpad need setup after deployment?
Create a harmless test pad, then open `/admin` with username `admin` and the configured admin password if you need to manage settings or plugins.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Etherpad template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Etherpad with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Visit the application URL — you should see a button to create a new pad
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Visit /admin and log in as admin to install plugins or change settings
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Configure public/private pad behavior in settings
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Optionally set up a reverse proxy with HTTPS
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Etherpad FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Etherpad
How do I deploy Etherpad with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Etherpad 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 Etherpad?
Etherpad requires a minimum of 512MB 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 Etherpad data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Etherpad backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Etherpad to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Etherpad image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Etherpad free to self-host?
Etherpad 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 Etherpad?
Download Server Compass and deploy Etherpad to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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