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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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PostgreSQL
Database256MB+ RAM
PostgreSQL database with persistent storage
databasesqlrelationalpostgresopen-source
Deploy PostgreSQL in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select PostgreSQL
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy PostgreSQL on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the PostgreSQL template in Server Compass to deploy a persistent PostgreSQL database on your VPS, then verify it from the app detail and DB Admin view.
About 5 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 PostgreSQL
Use the template picker search to find PostgreSQL in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the PostgreSQL template
Choose the PostgreSQL template. Server Compass fills the Docker image, persistent volume, default database name, and generated credentials.
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Step 5Review the generated database settings
Confirm the app name, host port, database name, username, and generated password. In the pilot run, the app was named postgresql-demo and the host port was changed to 15432 to avoid conflicts.
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Step 6Deploy PostgreSQL
Review the final settings, click Deploy Now, and let Server Compass create the PostgreSQL container and volume on the VPS.
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Step 7Confirm the database is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the PostgreSQL app is marked Running with its database connection section available.
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Step 8Open DB Admin to verify access
Open the PostgreSQL app details and switch to DB Admin. Seeing the DB Admin screen load confirms Server Compass can reach the deployed database service without exposing the generated password.
After PostgreSQL Opens
- Copy the masked external connection string only when you are ready to connect from a trusted client.
- Use DB Admin, psql, or your application container to create schemas and tables.
- Keep the generated password in Server Compass and avoid pasting it into screenshots or docs.
- Restrict external access later if the database only needs to be reachable from Docker apps on the same server.
Verified Result
Server Compass showed one running PostgreSQL container, port 15432 mapped to 5432, and the DB Admin table view loaded for the app database.
PostgreSQL deployment questions
What does the PostgreSQL template deploy?
It deploys the official PostgreSQL Docker image with persistent storage and generated database credentials.
Which port did the pilot use?
The pilot used host port 15432 mapped to PostgreSQL port 5432 to avoid conflicts with any existing PostgreSQL service.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the PostgreSQL template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Terminal Deployment
PostgreSQL CLI Deployment
Deploy PostgreSQL the traditional way with SSH and Docker Compose.
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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/postgresql
cd ~/apps/postgresql3
Configure Your Containers
Create the Docker Compose configuration file with these contents:
docker-compose.yml
services:
postgres:
image: postgres:16-alpine
ports:
- "5432:5432"
environment:
- POSTGRES_USER=postgres
- POSTGRES_PASSWORD=<your-postgres-password>
- POSTGRES_DB=app
volumes:
- postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
restart: unless-stopped
healthcheck:
test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres -d app"]
interval: 10s
timeout: 5s
retries: 5
volumes:
postgres_data:
Deployment Settings
PORTHost port to expose(default: 5432)POSTGRES_USERDatabase username(default: postgres)POSTGRES_PASSWORDDatabase passwordPOSTGRES_DBDatabase name(default: app)4
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 5432/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:5432Skip the Terminal
There's an easier way. Meet Server Compass.
Server Compass makes deploying PostgreSQL effortless. Visual setup, one-click deploy, done.
- 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 PostgreSQL with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Test the database connection
2
Create additional users if needed
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Configure backup schedules
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Set up monitoring and alerts
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Review and optimize PostgreSQL configuration for your workload
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Consider setting up replication for high availability
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
PostgreSQL FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting PostgreSQL
How do I deploy PostgreSQL with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select PostgreSQL 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 PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL 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 PostgreSQL data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard PostgreSQL backup and restore procedures.
How do I update PostgreSQL to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest PostgreSQL image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is PostgreSQL free to self-host?
PostgreSQL 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 PostgreSQL?
Download Server Compass and deploy PostgreSQL to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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