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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.
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MediaWiki
Application512MB+ RAM
Wiki platform powering Wikipedia - for documentation and knowledge bases
wikidocumentationknowledge-basewikipedia
Deploy MediaWiki in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select MediaWiki
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 MediaWiki on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the MediaWiki template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted wiki and knowledge base with MariaDB on your VPS, then verify the MediaWiki installer in a browser.
About 7 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 MediaWiki
Use the template picker search to find MediaWiki in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the MediaWiki template
Choose the MediaWiki template. Server Compass fills in the MediaWiki web service, MariaDB database, generated database passwords, and mapped browser port.
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Step 5Review the MediaWiki settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named mediawiki-demo and used host port 3000.
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Step 6Deploy MediaWiki
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the MediaWiki image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm MediaWiki is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the MediaWiki app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open MediaWiki in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The MediaWiki installer confirms the wiki service is reachable.
After MediaWiki Opens
- Complete the MediaWiki installer and use database host `db`, database name `mediawiki`, and user `mediawiki`.
- Copy the generated `LocalSettings.php` into the MediaWiki container before production use.
- Configure HTTPS, backups, uploads, and user permissions before inviting contributors.
MediaWiki deployment questions
What does the MediaWiki template deploy?
It deploys MediaWiki with a MariaDB database so you can create a self-hosted wiki or knowledge base.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3000, which maps to the MediaWiki web service on container port 80.
Why does the guide stop at the login or setup web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean MediaWiki installer because site name, admin account, and `LocalSettings.php` generation are production-specific setup steps.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the MediaWiki template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host MediaWiki?
MediaWiki is the software that powers Wikipedia — battle-tested for creating documentation and knowledge bases at any scale. Self-hosting gives you the same powerful wiki platform for your organization with full control over content, access, and customization.
The same software powering Wikipedia — proven at massive scale
Powerful templating system for structured documentation
Fine-grained access control with user groups and permissions
Extensive extension ecosystem with 1000+ plugins
Full revision history for every page edit
MediaWiki vs Alternatives
MediaWiki vs Confluence
Confluence is proprietary with per-user pricing. MediaWiki is open-source, free, and more powerful for large knowledge bases.
MediaWiki vs Wiki.js
Wiki.js has a modern UI. MediaWiki offers deeper functionality, a larger extension ecosystem, and proven scalability.
MediaWiki vs BookStack
BookStack is simpler but less powerful. MediaWiki handles complex documentation with templates, categories, and semantic data.
Why Deploy MediaWiki with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys MediaWiki with MariaDB backend and persistent storage for uploads and configuration. The installation wizard is accessible immediately after deployment.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying MediaWiki with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Complete the installation wizard
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Create admin account
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Configure wiki settings and extensions
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
MediaWiki FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting MediaWiki
How do I deploy MediaWiki with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select MediaWiki 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 MediaWiki?
MediaWiki 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 MediaWiki data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard MediaWiki backup and restore procedures.
How do I update MediaWiki to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest MediaWiki image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is MediaWiki free to self-host?
MediaWiki 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 MediaWiki?
Download Server Compass and deploy MediaWiki to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass