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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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Planka
Application256MB+ RAM
Elegant open-source project tracking tool built with React and Redux
kanbanproject-managementtrello-alternativeboards
Deploy Planka in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Planka
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Planka on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Planka template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted real-time Kanban board stack with PostgreSQL on your VPS, then verify the Planka web UI 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 Planka
Use the template picker search to find Planka in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Planka template
Choose the Planka template. Server Compass fills the Planka image, host port, admin credentials, generated secrets, PostgreSQL, and persistent attachment volumes.
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Step 5Review the Planka settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named planka-demo and used host port 3001.
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Step 6Deploy Planka
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 Planka image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Planka is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Planka app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Planka in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Planka web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After Planka Opens
- Sign in with the configured Planka admin account before production use.
- Configure projects, boards, HTTPS, email, and user access before production use.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the Kanban board dashboard to users.
- Back up the Planka PostgreSQL and attachment volumes before relying on it for production boards.
Planka deployment questions
What does the Planka template deploy?
It deploys Planka with PostgreSQL backing services plus persistent database volumes.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3001, which maps to the Planka web server inside the container on the same port.
Why does the guide stop at the first-run web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean first-run web UI because real projects, boards, users, and access rules depend on the production server.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Planka template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
DIY Deployment
Self-Host Planka with Docker
Take the DIY route and deploy Planka on your own server using Docker.
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Remote into Your Server
Initiate a secure shell connection to your server using the command below.
terminal
# Connect to your VPS
ssh root@your-server-ip
# Or with a specific SSH key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/your-key root@your-server-ipFirst time? Docker required! Install it with: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
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Create the App Directory
Organize your deployment by creating a dedicated project folder.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/planka
cd ~/apps/planka3
Write Your docker-compose.yml
Create a new docker-compose.yml file and paste this configuration:
docker-compose.yml
services:
planka:
image: ghcr.io/plankanban/planka:latest
ports:
- "3000:1337"
environment:
- BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000
- DATABASE_URL=postgresql://postgres:<your-db-password>@postgres/planka
- SECRET_KEY=<your-secret-key>
- [email protected]
- DEFAULT_ADMIN_PASSWORD=<your-admin-password>
- DEFAULT_ADMIN_NAME=Admin
- DEFAULT_ADMIN_USERNAME=admin
volumes:
- planka_avatars:/app/public/user-avatars
- planka_backgrounds:/app/public/project-background-images
- planka_attachments:/app/private/attachments
restart: unless-stopped
depends_on:
postgres:
condition: service_healthy
postgres:
image: postgres:16-alpine
environment:
- POSTGRES_DB=planka
- POSTGRES_PASSWORD=<your-db-password>
volumes:
- planka_db:/var/lib/postgresql/data
restart: unless-stopped
healthcheck:
test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres -d planka"]
interval: 10s
timeout: 5s
retries: 5
start_period: 30s
volumes:
planka_avatars:
planka_backgrounds:
planka_attachments:
planka_db:
Configurable Options
PORTHost port to expose(default: 3000)DB_PASSWORDDatabase passwordSECRET_KEYSession secretADMIN_PASSWORDAdmin password4
Launch the Containers
Start the services and tail the logs to verify startup.
terminal
# Spin up containers
docker compose up -d
# Verify deployment
docker compose ps
# Check logs for errors
docker compose logs -f5
Open Firewall Ports
Open the required port in your firewall to allow access.
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
Want the easy way? Try Server Compass.
Forget SSH and YAML files. Deploy Planka visually with Server Compass in just a few clicks.
- Visual config editor
- Instant deployment
- Automatic HTTPS
- Smooth updates
- Live monitoring
- Quick rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying Planka with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Log in with admin credentials
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Create your first project and board
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Invite team members
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Planka FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Planka
How do I deploy Planka with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Planka 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 Planka?
Planka 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 Planka data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Planka backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Planka to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Planka image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Planka free to self-host?
Planka 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 Planka?
Download Server Compass and deploy Planka to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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