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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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Lemmy
Application512MB+ RAM
Federated link aggregator (Reddit alternative)
forumfediversereddit-alternativeactivitypub
Deploy Lemmy in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Lemmy
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Lemmy on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Lemmy template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted federated link aggregator on your VPS, then verify the backend API and web UI.
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 Lemmy
Use the template picker search to find Lemmy in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Lemmy template
Choose the Lemmy template. Server Compass fills the backend API service, Lemmy UI service, PostgreSQL database, pict-rs image service, generated config, and persistent volumes.
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Step 5Review the Lemmy settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named lemmy-demo and used host port 1234.
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Step 6Deploy Lemmy
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Lemmy UI and API ports are 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 Lemmy image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Lemmy is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Lemmy app is marked Running with its published ports available.
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Step 9Verify Lemmy from the container
Check the Lemmy backend API, the Lemmy UI homepage, and recent container logs to confirm the generated configuration bootstrapped the instance.
After Lemmy Opens
- Sign in as the generated `admin` user and rotate the generated admin password.
- Put Lemmy behind a real domain and HTTPS before enabling federation publicly.
- Configure email delivery before relying on registration or password recovery flows.
- Back up the PostgreSQL and pict-rs volumes.
- Create communities and assign moderators before inviting users.
Verified Result
Lemmy API returned HTTP 200 for the generated Server Compass Lemmy site, and the UI homepage returned HTTP 200 on the published host port.
Lemmy deployment questions
What does the Lemmy template deploy?
It deploys the Lemmy backend, Lemmy UI, PostgreSQL, pict-rs, and a generated `config.hjson` that bootstraps an initial admin user.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 1234 for the Lemmy UI. The template also publishes the backend API port.
Does Lemmy need setup after deployment?
The template creates the initial site and admin user automatically. After deployment, sign in, rotate the generated admin password, configure email, and update site settings.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Lemmy template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Manual Deployment Guide
Manual Lemmy Setup
For terminal enthusiasts: deploy Lemmy manually with these simple steps.
1
SSH into Your Server
Launch your preferred terminal and connect to your VPS using SSH.
terminal
# Log into your server
ssh root@<your-server-ip>
# If using key-based auth
ssh -i ~/.ssh/my-key root@<your-server-ip>First time? Docker not installed? Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
2
Create Working Directory
Prepare a directory for your application files and configuration.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/lemmy
cd ~/apps/lemmy3
Configure Your Containers
Create the Docker Compose configuration file with these contents:
docker-compose.yml
services:
lemmy:
image: dessalines/lemmy:latest
ports:
- "8536:8536"
environment:
- RUST_LOG=warn
volumes:
- ./lemmy.hjson:/config/config.hjson
restart: unless-stopped
depends_on:
- db
- pictrs
lemmy-ui:
image: dessalines/lemmy-ui:latest
ports:
- "1234:1234"
environment:
- LEMMY_UI_LEMMY_INTERNAL_HOST=lemmy:8536
- LEMMY_UI_LEMMY_EXTERNAL_HOST=<your-domain>
restart: unless-stopped
depends_on:
- lemmy
db:
image: postgres:16-alpine
environment:
- POSTGRES_USER=lemmy
- POSTGRES_PASSWORD=<your-db-password>
- POSTGRES_DB=lemmy
volumes:
- postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
restart: unless-stopped
pictrs:
image: asonix/pictrs:latest
environment:
- PICTRS__SERVER__API_KEY=<your-pictrs-api-key>
volumes:
- pictrs_data:/mnt
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
postgres_data:
pictrs_data:
Environment Configuration
PORTAPI port(default: 8536)UI_PORTUI port(default: 1234)DOMAINDomainDB_PASSWORDDB passwordPICTRS_API_KEYPictrs key4
Deploy with Docker Compose
Launch the application stack using Docker Compose.
terminal
# Deploy the application
docker compose up -d
# Check container health
docker compose ps
# Monitor logs
docker compose logs -f --tail=1005
Open Required Ports
Enable external access by opening the necessary port.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 8536/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:8536Skip the Terminal
There's an easier way. Meet Server Compass.
Deploy Lemmy without touching the command line. Server Compass gives you a clean UI for one-click deployments.
- Intuitive dashboard
- Deploy in 3 minutes
- Free SSL included
- Blue-green deploys
- Real-time logs
- Version history
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying Lemmy with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Create lemmy.hjson config
2
Register admin account
3
Create communities
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Lemmy FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Lemmy
How do I deploy Lemmy with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Lemmy 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 Lemmy?
Lemmy 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 Lemmy data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Lemmy backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Lemmy to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Lemmy image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Lemmy free to self-host?
Lemmy 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 Lemmy?
Download Server Compass and deploy Lemmy to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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