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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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TriliumNext
Application256MB+ RAM
Hierarchical note-taking app with strong encryption and rich features
noteshierarchicalencryptedknowledge-base
Deploy TriliumNext in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select TriliumNext
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 TriliumNext on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the TriliumNext template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted hierarchical note-taking app on your VPS, then verify the TriliumNext 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 TriliumNext
Use the template picker search to find TriliumNext in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the TriliumNext template
Choose the TriliumNext template. Server Compass fills the TriliumNext image, host port, persistent notes data volume.
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Step 5Review the TriliumNext settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named trilium-demo and used host port 8080.
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Step 6Deploy TriliumNext
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 TriliumNext image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm TriliumNext is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the TriliumNext app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open TriliumNext in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The TriliumNext web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After TriliumNext Opens
- Set a strong TriliumNext password before production use.
- Configure HTTPS, sync settings, and user access before production use.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the notes workspace to users.
- Back up the TriliumNext data volume before relying on it for production notes.
TriliumNext deployment questions
What does the TriliumNext template deploy?
It deploys TriliumNext with a persistent data volume for notes.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 8080, which maps to the TriliumNext web server on container port 80.
Why does the guide stop at the first-run web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean first-run web UI because real note hierarchy, password, users, and access settings depend on the production server.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the TriliumNext template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host TriliumNext?
TriliumNext is a hierarchical note-taking application with strong encryption, scripting capabilities, and a powerful note tree structure. Self-hosting ensures your encrypted knowledge base remains on your server while providing web access from anywhere.
Hierarchical note tree perfect for organizing complex knowledge
Strong encryption protects your notes at rest
Built-in scripting for automating note management
Web clipper for saving content from the browser
Relation maps and note attributes for structured data
TriliumNext vs Alternatives
TriliumNext vs Obsidian
Obsidian is file-based markdown. TriliumNext offers a richer hierarchical structure with built-in encryption and web access.
TriliumNext vs Joplin
Joplin is great for simple notes. TriliumNext excels at deep knowledge management with note relations and scripting.
TriliumNext vs Notion
Notion is cloud-hosted. TriliumNext runs on your server with encryption and far deeper customization through scripting.
Why Deploy TriliumNext with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys TriliumNext with minimal resource usage (256MB RAM) and persistent encrypted storage. Perfect for a personal knowledge base on a small VPS.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying TriliumNext with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Set up your password on first access
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Create your note tree structure
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Configure sync if using multiple devices
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
TriliumNext FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting TriliumNext
How do I deploy TriliumNext with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select TriliumNext 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 TriliumNext?
TriliumNext 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 TriliumNext data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard TriliumNext backup and restore procedures.
How do I update TriliumNext to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest TriliumNext image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is TriliumNext free to self-host?
TriliumNext 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 TriliumNext?
Download Server Compass and deploy TriliumNext to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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