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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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PairDrop
Infrastructure128MB+ RAM
Local-first web file sharing and device pairing inspired by AirDrop
infrastructurestoragepairdropopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy PairDrop in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select PairDrop
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 PairDrop on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the PairDrop template in Server Compass to deploy a local-first browser file sharing and device pairing service, then verify the web UI in a browser.
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 PairDrop
Use the template picker search to find PairDrop in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the PairDrop template
Choose the PairDrop template. Server Compass fills the web service, host port mapping, timezone, and debug mode defaults.
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Step 5Review the PairDrop settings
Confirm the app name and web UI port. In this run, the app was named pairdrop-demo and used host port 4020.
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Step 6Deploy PairDrop
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the PairDrop web port is 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 PairDrop image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm PairDrop is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the PairDrop app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open PairDrop in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The PairDrop page confirms the browser-based file sharing service is reachable.
After PairDrop Opens
- Open the page from a second browser or device on the same network.
- Send a small test file or text message to verify peer discovery and transfer.
- Use HTTPS in production so browser APIs and transfers work reliably.
- Restrict access if PairDrop is only intended for trusted users.
Verified Result
The PairDrop web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
PairDrop deployment questions
What does the PairDrop template deploy?
It deploys the PairDrop web app for browser-to-browser file sharing and device pairing.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4020, which maps to the same PairDrop container port.
Does PairDrop need setup after deployment?
No account setup is required. Open PairDrop from two devices or browsers and send a test file or message.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the PairDrop template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying PairDrop with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Open PairDrop at http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}}
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Open the page from a second browser or device
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Send a small test file or text message
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
PairDrop FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting PairDrop
How do I deploy PairDrop with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select PairDrop 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 PairDrop?
PairDrop requires a minimum of 128MB 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 PairDrop data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard PairDrop backup and restore procedures.
How do I update PairDrop to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest PairDrop image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is PairDrop free to self-host?
PairDrop 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 PairDrop?
Download Server Compass and deploy PairDrop to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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