PrivateBin

Development128MB+ RAM

Minimalist zero-knowledge pastebin where pasted data is encrypted in the browser

Download Server Compass Install PrivateBin to VPS

developmentdevtoolsprivatebinopen-sourceself-hosteddocker

Deploy PrivateBin in 3 Steps

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

Select PrivateBin

Choose from our template library

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required

Step-by-step deployment guide

Deploy PrivateBin on a VPS with Server Compass

Use the PrivateBin template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted zero-knowledge paste sharing app, then verify it in a browser.

About 10 minutesBrowser verified

Step 1

Open 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.

Server Compass Apps tab before creating an PrivateBin app

Step 2

Choose an app template

Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.

Choosing to deploy an app from a Server Compass template

Step 3

Search for PrivateBin

Use the template picker search to find PrivateBin in the Server Compass template catalog.

Searching for PrivateBin in the Server Compass template picker

Step 4

Select the PrivateBin template

Choose the PrivateBin template. Server Compass fills the web service, persistent data volume, and published web port.

PrivateBin template selected in Server Compass

Step 5

Review the PrivateBin settings

Confirm the app name and web UI port. In this run, the app was named privatebin-demo and used host port 4011.

Reviewing PrivateBin project settings and compose service

Step 6

Deploy PrivateBin

Review the generated compose settings, confirm the PrivateBin web port is available, and click Deploy.

Reviewing PrivateBin web port before deployment

Step 7

Watch the deployment progress

Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the PrivateBin image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.

Server Compass deploying the PrivateBin template on the VPS

Step 8

Confirm PrivateBin is running

After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the PrivateBin app is marked Running with its application URL available.

PrivateBin template running in the Server Compass Apps tab

Step 9

Open PrivateBin in the browser

Open the application URL in a browser. The PrivateBin paste editor confirms the private paste sharing app is reachable.

The deployed PrivateBin web UI loaded in a browser

After PrivateBin Opens

Sign in with the initial administrator account and change the default credentials.
Create a small test paste and confirm the generated link opens.
Review expiration, burn-after-reading, and attachment settings before production use.
Put the app behind HTTPS before sharing sensitive links.
Back up the PrivateBin data volume.

Verified Result

The PrivateBin web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.

Download Server Compass Docs

PrivateBin deployment questions

What does the PrivateBin template deploy?

It deploys the PrivateBin web app with a persistent data volume for stored encrypted pastes.

Which port did the tutorial use?

The tutorial used host port 4011, which maps to the PrivateBin web UI on container port 8080.

Does PrivateBin need setup after deployment?

Yes. Review paste expiration, attachment, and privacy settings before production use.

Should this become a blog post?

No. The deployment guide should live on the PrivateBin template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.

After Deployment

After deploying PrivateBin with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

Open PrivateBin at http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}}

Create a test paste to confirm the UI loads

Move behind HTTPS before using for sensitive material

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

PrivateBin FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting PrivateBin

How do I deploy PrivateBin with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select PrivateBin 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 PrivateBin?

PrivateBin 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 PrivateBin data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard PrivateBin backup and restore procedures.

How do I update PrivateBin to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest PrivateBin image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is PrivateBin free to self-host?

PrivateBin 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.

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Ready to Self-Host PrivateBin?

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