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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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Obsidian
Application1024MB+ RAM
Note-taking app accessible via web browser with vault sync
notesmarkdownknowledge-management
Deploy Obsidian in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Obsidian
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Obsidian on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Obsidian template in Server Compass to deploy the LinuxServer browser-accessible Obsidian desktop session on your VPS, then verify the web interface in a browser.
About 6 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 Obsidian
Use the template picker search to find Obsidian in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Obsidian template
Choose the Obsidian template. Server Compass fills the LinuxServer Obsidian container, persistent config volume, timezone setting, and browser-accessible HTTPS host port.
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Step 5Review the Obsidian settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named obsidian-demo and used host port 4172.
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Step 6Deploy Obsidian
Review the generated timezone value, confirm the HTTPS 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 Obsidian image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Obsidian is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Obsidian app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Obsidian in the browser
Open the HTTPS application URL in a browser. For direct IP testing, accept the self-signed certificate warning. The LinuxServer/Selkies web interface confirms the Obsidian desktop session is reachable.
After Obsidian Opens
- Create or open an Obsidian vault after the browser desktop session finishes loading.
- Replace the self-signed certificate with a trusted HTTPS reverse proxy and access control before exposing this interactive desktop session beyond trusted users.
- Back up the obsidian_config volume regularly because it stores the application state and vault data.
- Consider attaching durable external storage before using this deployment for long-term notes.
Verified Result
The LinuxServer/Selkies web interface loaded successfully in a browser.
Obsidian deployment questions
What does the Obsidian template deploy?
It deploys the LinuxServer Obsidian container with a persistent config volume and the Selkies browser interface mapped to a host HTTPS port.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4172, which maps to the Obsidian HTTPS web interface on container port 3001.
Why does the guide stop at the browser desktop session?
The tutorial verifies that the hosted Obsidian session is reachable. Vault creation, sync choices, and plugins depend on how the production notes workspace should be managed.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Obsidian template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Command Line Setup
Install Obsidian Manually
Set up Obsidian yourself using Docker Compose and the command line.
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Access Your VPS Terminal
Use your terminal to securely access your server. You'll need your server's IP address.
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
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Set Up the Deployment Folder
Initialize a project folder on your server.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/obsidian
cd ~/apps/obsidian3
Set Up the Stack Definition
Use this Docker Compose configuration for your deployment:
docker-compose.yml
services:
obsidian:
image: lscr.io/linuxserver/obsidian:latest
security_opt:
- seccomp:unconfined
ports:
- "3000:3000"
environment:
- PUID=1000
- PGID=1000
- TZ=UTC
volumes:
- obsidian_config:/config
shm_size: "1gb"
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
obsidian_config:
Configuration Options
PORTHTTP port to expose(default: 3000)TIMEZONEServer timezone(default: UTC)4
Start the Containers
Bring up your containers in detached mode.
terminal
# Start all services
docker compose up -d
# List running containers
docker compose ps
# Watch the logs
docker compose logs -f5
Set Up Firewall Rules
Allow the application port through your server's firewall.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 3000/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:3000Skip the Terminal
Let Server Compass do the heavy lifting.
No terminal needed. Deploy Obsidian through a visual dashboard with automatic configuration.
- 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 Obsidian with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Access Obsidian via HTTPS
2
Create or open a vault
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Obsidian FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Obsidian
How do I deploy Obsidian with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Obsidian 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 Obsidian?
Obsidian requires a minimum of 1024MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 2048MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Obsidian data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Obsidian backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Obsidian to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Obsidian image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Obsidian free to self-host?
Obsidian 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 Obsidian?
Download Server Compass and deploy Obsidian to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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