YOURLS
Your Own URL Shortener — self-hosted PHP link shortener with stats, plugins, and a private/public API
Deploy YOURLS in 3 Steps
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
Select YOURLS
Choose from our template library
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
After Deployment
After deploying YOURLS with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
Visit http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}}/admin/ and log in with YOURLS_USER / YOURLS_PASS
Update YOURLS_SITE to your real public URL (env var + redeploy) so generated short links use the correct hostname
Install any plugins under /var/www/html/user/plugins via volume mount or `docker compose exec`
(Optional) Put YOURLS behind Traefik/HTTPS and add a real domain via the Domains tab
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
YOURLS FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting YOURLS
How do I deploy YOURLS with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select YOURLS 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 YOURLS?
YOURLS 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 YOURLS data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard YOURLS backup and restore procedures.
How do I update YOURLS to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest YOURLS image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is YOURLS free to self-host?
YOURLS 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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