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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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Meilisearch
Database256MB+ RAM
Lightning-fast search engine with typo tolerance
searchfull-texttypo-tolerant
Deploy Meilisearch in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Meilisearch
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Meilisearch on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Meilisearch template in Server Compass to deploy a fast full-text search engine on your VPS, then verify the health endpoint.
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 Meilisearch
Use the template picker search to find Meilisearch in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Meilisearch template
Choose the Meilisearch template. Server Compass fills the Meilisearch container, persistent data volume, HTTP API port, production mode, and generated master key.
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Step 5Review the Meilisearch settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named meilisearch-demo and used host port 7700.
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Step 6Deploy Meilisearch
Review the generated environment values, confirm the REST and master keys are 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 Meilisearch image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Meilisearch is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Meilisearch app is marked Running with the database port available.
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Step 9Verify Meilisearch is reachable
Open the app detail view and verify the running Meilisearch container. In this tutorial run, the health endpoint reported that Meilisearch was ready.
After Meilisearch Opens
- Store the generated Meilisearch master key in a secure password manager.
- Create scoped API keys before production use.
- Restrict external access to port 7700 unless remote clients explicitly need it.
- Configure regular backups for the Meilisearch data volume before storing production data.
- Use HTTPS before exposing the Meilisearch API publicly.
Verified Result
The Meilisearch REST API returned ready status from a curl request.
Meilisearch deployment questions
What does the Meilisearch template deploy?
It deploys a Meilisearch container with a persistent data volume, HTTP API port, production mode, and generated master key.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 7700, which maps to Meilisearch HTTP API port 7700.
Why is there no browser verification screenshot?
Meilisearch exposes a service API rather than a conventional browser app. The tutorial verifies it with the health endpoint.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Meilisearch template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Self-Deploy Guide
DIY Meilisearch Deployment
Learn how to self-host Meilisearch with this hands-on deployment guide.
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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
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Create Working Directory
Prepare a directory for your application files and configuration.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/meilisearch
cd ~/apps/meilisearch3
Configure Your Containers
Create the Docker Compose configuration file with these contents:
docker-compose.yml
services:
meilisearch:
image: getmeili/meilisearch:latest
ports:
- "7700:7700"
environment:
- MEILI_MASTER_KEY=<your-master-key>
- MEILI_ENV=production
volumes:
- meilisearch_data:/meili_data
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
meilisearch_data:
Setup Variables
PORTHost port(default: 7700)MASTER_KEYMaster 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 7700/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:7700Skip the Terminal
There's an easier way. Meet Server Compass.
Let Server Compass handle the complexity. Deploy Meilisearch with a simple, intuitive interface.
- 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 Meilisearch with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Create indexes
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Index your documents
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Meilisearch FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Meilisearch
How do I deploy Meilisearch with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Meilisearch 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 Meilisearch?
Meilisearch requires a minimum of 256MB 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 Meilisearch data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Meilisearch backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Meilisearch to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Meilisearch image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Meilisearch free to self-host?
Meilisearch 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 Meilisearch?
Download Server Compass and deploy Meilisearch to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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