A novice’s step by step specific process for installing Discourse. From choosing a right server to configuring it, to SMTP, DNS & doing it all in the right order. Because of such a manual process with many branches with many options, I have many uncertainties & heard many setups go wrong when not do…

[image] Gid: Powerful, flexible, large / multiple server install: Advanced Docker install guide don’t even go near this right now. stick to the basics. get a domain name with a nameserver like namecheap. or since you have one you want to use already: [image] Gid: Not sure which I shoul…

backup option isn’t necessary. you can configure backups in Discourse admin. just follow the basic standard install and don’t overthink it.

With or without those apps, I think you’d be able to install Discourse.

Is this a concern? WWYD? Heard some issues about some of these providers using very old CPU models like from 13 yrs ago. There’s obviously no assurance about what you get in this context of vps, as they depend on many factors including vps location, & providers are rarely even open about available …

It is a virtual private server. It is a ‘virtualized’ environment. The actual hardware runs numerous instances. It is absolutely sufficient for running the operating system they are providing it with along with whatever you choose to install. That’s what people do with these things, they run web se…

:check_mark:Contabo VPS provisioned :check_mark:Subdomain pointed to IP & propagated :check_mark:Email DNS propagated & smtp credentials on hand My local pc is Windows so I need PuTTY right? After starting putty, the following pops 1) Do I Accept/Connect Once? [putty] 2) Here…

[image] Gid: My local pc is Windows so I need PuTTY right? Nah, use the free and modern Windows Terminal app from the Windows App Store. [image] Windows Terminal - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store The Windows Terminal is a modern, fast, efficient, powerful, …

I mean, since it’s optional, I would say just skip it. These are not needed to install or run Discourse. [image] Gid: 2) Here :backhand_index_pointing_down: is it meant before/after install? At which point exactly? [image] Lilly: to edit your app.yml file after the initial setup runs, at …

[image] Gid: Ubuntu 26.04, or 24.04 you can use either as long as they are LTS. i have a site running on 26.04 and another on 24.04. in your case, i’d suggest the latter one since Discourse is known to run on it without any issues at all. [image] Gid: PuTTY right no, use terminal, jus…

I’ll add that while the community is always keen to help, if you feel you hit a wall regarding the required knowledge and technical skills and you have a budget, you can also post in Marketplace for tailored help :slight_smile:

[image] Gid: Almost missed another thing, unlike other vpss, this doesn’t have 2.1) a panel nor 2.2) Many other things included Is it better to have any of em? If I don’t get em included can they be obtained free & easy? Almost all of those things will probably break things. If you’re an ex…

Installing Discourse on a self hosted VPS. A process with FAQs

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merefield (Robert) July 23, 2026, 6:53am 30

Nah, use the free and modern Windows Terminal app from the Windows App Store.

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Installing Discourse on a self hosted VPS. A process with FAQs

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