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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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Heimdall
Infrastructure128MB+ RAM
Elegant application dashboard and launcher for all your web apps
dashboardlauncherhomepagebookmarks
Deploy Heimdall in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Heimdall
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 Heimdall on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Heimdall template in Server Compass to deploy a customizable self-hosted dashboard on your VPS, then verify the web UI in a browser.
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 Heimdall
Use the template picker search to find Heimdall in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Heimdall template
Choose the Heimdall template. Server Compass fills the dashboard service, persistent config volume, and public port.
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Step 5Review the Heimdall settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named heimdall-demo and used host port 3001.
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Step 6Deploy Heimdall
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Heimdall 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 Heimdall image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Heimdall is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Heimdall app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Heimdall in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Heimdall dashboard confirms the self-hosted start page is reachable.
After Heimdall Opens
- Configure authentication before exposing Heimdall beyond trusted networks.
- Use a VPN, IP allowlist, firewall rule, or authenticated reverse proxy for production access.
- Add only the service links and widgets that should be visible from the dashboard.
- Back up the Heimdall config volume before moving or replacing the VPS.
- Customize themes and layout after the first verified deployment.
- Keep the Heimdall image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Heimdall web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Heimdall deployment questions
What does the Heimdall template deploy?
It deploys the Heimdall container with a persistent user-data volume and a public web port.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3001, which maps to the Heimdall web UI on container port 80.
Can I enable authentication?
Yes. Configure authentication in Heimdall settings or place the dashboard behind an authenticated reverse proxy.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Heimdall template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host Heimdall?
Heimdall is an elegant application dashboard and launcher. It provides a clean, categorized view of all your web applications with beautiful icons and optional background images — the simplest way to organize your self-hosted services.
Clean, beautiful interface for organizing web apps
Enhanced app tiles with built-in status for supported services
Simple to set up — no config files needed
Pin favorite apps and organize with tabs
Lightweight and fast — minimal resource usage
Heimdall vs Alternatives
Heimdall vs Dashy
Dashy is more feature-rich. Heimdall is simpler and more elegant for users who just want a clean app launcher.
Heimdall vs Homarr
Homarr has Docker integration. Heimdall is a simpler, more focused dashboard for service access.
Heimdall vs Browser bookmarks
Heimdall provides a visual, shareable homepage with service status — far better than a folder of bookmarks.
Why Deploy Heimdall with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys Heimdall with just 128MB RAM — it runs on virtually any server. Persistent storage keeps your dashboard layout across container updates.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying Heimdall with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Access the dashboard
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Add applications
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Customize layout and appearance
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Heimdall FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Heimdall
How do I deploy Heimdall with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Heimdall 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 Heimdall?
Heimdall 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 Heimdall data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Heimdall backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Heimdall to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Heimdall image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Heimdall free to self-host?
Heimdall 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 Heimdall?
Download Server Compass and deploy Heimdall to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass