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Step 1Open 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.
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Zipline
Infrastructure512MB+ RAM
Next-generation ShareX / file upload server with URL shortening, custom domains and Postgres-backed history
infrastructurestorageziplineopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Zipline in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Zipline
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 Zipline on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Zipline template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted file upload and URL shortening server with PostgreSQL-backed history, then verify the web setup or login screen in a browser.
About 10 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 Zipline
Use the template picker search to find Zipline in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Zipline template
Choose the Zipline template. Server Compass fills the Zipline service, PostgreSQL database, upload/public/theme volumes, generated secrets, and public web port.
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Step 5Review the Zipline settings
Confirm the app name, web port, generated CORE_SECRET, generated PostgreSQL password, and persistent volumes. In this run, the app was named zipline-demo and used host port 4087.
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Step 6Deploy Zipline
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Zipline web port is available, and click Deploy.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Zipline and PostgreSQL images, starts the containers, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Zipline is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Zipline app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Zipline in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Zipline first-run setup, login, or upload page confirms the file upload service is reachable.
After Zipline Opens
- Create the initial administrator account before allowing uploads.
- Set the public site URL, upload limits, allowed MIME types, and storage provider in the Zipline admin settings.
- Generate a user API token and import it into ShareX or your upload client.
- Put Zipline behind HTTPS before sharing it publicly; upload clients and custom domains work best with a real domain.
- Back up the zipline_uploads and zipline_pgdata volumes because they store files, user accounts, upload history, and settings.
- Keep the Zipline image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Zipline web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container and displayed the web UI.
Zipline deployment questions
What does the Zipline template deploy?
It deploys Zipline with a PostgreSQL database and persistent volumes for uploads, public assets, themes, and database data.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4087, which maps to the Zipline web UI inside the container on port 3000.
Does Zipline create an admin user automatically?
No. Open the web UI after deployment and create the initial administrator account from the first-run setup screen.
Can I use Zipline with ShareX?
Yes. After creating an account, generate an API token in Zipline and import the uploader configuration into ShareX or another supported upload client.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Zipline template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Zipline with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Open the URL and create the initial admin user
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Generate an API token under your user settings and import it into ShareX or your upload client
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(Optional) Configure S3 / Supabase / SFTP storage in the admin settings instead of the local uploads volume
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Add custom upload domains and URL shortener prefixes from Settings
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Zipline FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Zipline
How do I deploy Zipline with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Zipline 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 Zipline?
Zipline requires a minimum of 512MB 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 Zipline data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Zipline backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Zipline to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Zipline image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Zipline free to self-host?
Zipline 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 Zipline?
Download Server Compass and deploy Zipline to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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