1
Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
Back to all templates
LobeChat
Application512MB+ RAM
Open-source AI chat framework with plugin support
chataillmchatgpt
Deploy LobeChat in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select LobeChat
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy LobeChat on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the LobeChat template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted open-source AI chat interface with a browser-based chat UI on your VPS, then verify the LobeChat web UI in a browser.
About 7 minutesBrowser verified
2
Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
3
Step 3Search for LobeChat
Use the template picker search to find LobeChat in the Server Compass template catalog.
4
Step 4Select the LobeChat template
Choose the LobeChat template. Server Compass fills the LobeChat image, host port, and optional access settings.
5
Step 5Review the LobeChat settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named lobechat-demo and used host port 3210.
6
Step 6Deploy LobeChat
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
7
Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the LobeChat image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
8
Step 8Confirm LobeChat is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the LobeChat app is marked Running with its application URL available.
9
Step 9Open LobeChat in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The LobeChat web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After LobeChat Opens
- Configure model providers, HTTPS, access controls, and user settings before production use.
- Set an access code if the LobeChat instance will be exposed beyond a private test server.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing LobeChat to users.
LobeChat deployment questions
What does the LobeChat template deploy?
It deploys LobeChat with the LobeChat web UI on container port 3210.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3210, which maps to the LobeChat web server on container port 3210.
Why does the guide stop at the first-run web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean web UI because model providers, access controls, and user settings depend on the production server.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the LobeChat template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Do It Yourself
Deploy LobeChat via Command Line
Prefer the command line? Follow this step-by-step guide to deploy LobeChat manually on your VPS.
1
Access Your VPS via Terminal
Open a terminal session and log into your VPS. Replace the placeholder with your actual IP.
terminal
# Connect via SSH
ssh root@your-vps-ip
# Alternative with key file
ssh -i /path/to/key root@your-vps-ipFirst time? Make sure Docker is installed on your VPS. Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
2
Set Up Project Folder
Create a workspace for your deployment files.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/lobechat
cd ~/apps/lobechat3
Create the Compose File
Configure your containers with this Docker Compose setup:
docker-compose.yml
services:
lobechat:
image: lobehub/lobe-chat:latest
ports:
- "3210:3210"
environment:
- OPENAI_API_KEY=<your-openai-api-key>
- ACCESS_CODE=<your-access-code>
restart: unless-stopped
Configuration Variables
PORTHost port(default: 3210)OPENAI_API_KEYOpenAI keyACCESS_CODEAccess code4
Deploy Your Stack
Spin up the containers and verify the deployment.
terminal
# Start all services
docker compose up -d
# List running containers
docker compose ps
# Watch the logs
docker compose logs -f5
Update Firewall Settings
Allow incoming traffic on the application port.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 3210/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:3210Skip the Terminal
Skip the terminal. Use Server Compass instead.
Deploy LobeChat with a beautiful UI instead. No SSH, no YAML editing, no terminal commands. Just click, configure, and deploy in under 3 minutes.
- Beautiful interface
- One-click deploys
- Let's Encrypt SSL
- Zero downtime
- Container monitoring
- Easy rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying LobeChat with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Configure API keys in settings
2
Install plugins as needed
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
LobeChat FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting LobeChat
How do I deploy LobeChat with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select LobeChat 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 LobeChat?
LobeChat 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 LobeChat data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard LobeChat backup and restore procedures.
How do I update LobeChat to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest LobeChat image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is LobeChat free to self-host?
LobeChat 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 LobeChat?
Download Server Compass and deploy LobeChat to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass