How to Install and Set Up Coolify on Voxfor Lifetime VPS: The Complete Guide

What is Coolify and How to Deploy It on Voxfor Lifetime Hosting

Coolify is a powerful, open-source platform that allows developers to self-host and manage applications, acting as a robust alternative to managed services like Vercel, Netlify, and Heroku. It is ideal for users who want full control over their deployments without ongoing costs. When paired with Voxfor VPS hosting, Coolify provides a seamless solution for one-time cost hosting that delivers flexibility and long-term benefits. This guide will walk you through the complete installation and setup of Coolify using its official commands, making sure of easy installation from start to finish.

For further details, you can explore the Coolify official page or check out its GitHub repository.

Requirements for Installing Coolify

Before starting, check the following are in place:

• VPS with Ubuntu 20.04 or newer.
• Minimum system requirements: 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB storage.
• Root or sudo access to the VPS.

Step 1: Prepare Your Server Environment

Before installing Coolify, make sure your server is up-to-date and ready for the Docker environment:

Update the System

Run the following commands to update your VPS:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

Install Docker and Docker Compose

Docker is necessary for running Coolify, as it uses containers for application management.

Install Docker:

Docker is mandatory for running Coolify, as it serves as the backbone for containerized application management. To install Docker, use the command.

sudo apt-get install -y docker.io

This command pulls the necessary Docker packages and dependencies from the repository and installs them on your server. When finished, the Docker containerization framework is prepared for initial use. By doing this step we enable deployments of applications such as Coolify to run in isolated environments with ease. After running Docker, there are additional steps that follow here to secure and optimize the Docker installation for the most consistent server performance.

1. Enable Docker to Start on Boot:

To maintain continuous service availability, you must enable Docker to start at boot. It will make sure that in case of a server reboot, Docker services will automatically run without manual intervention. Accomplish this by using the command.

sudo systemctl enable docker

Use this configuration, which ensures that the Docker service launches during the system’s boot process. It ensures no downtime and is essential in case the application you are running on the server is in production. It produces an automated environment where all of our Docker containers are initialized as intended, which we absolutely need for managed hosting services like Voxfor Lifetime VPS.

2. Verify Docker Installation:

After installing Docker, verifying the setup makes sure everything was installed correctly and is functional. Run the command

docker --version

The command to check the docker-installed version on the server. This step ensures that when Docker is installed on a system, the installation is successful, and no issues arise during the process. Verification acts as a checkpoint to ensure that you’re ready to continue with more setups or installations ready to go. This aspect is confirmed, which ensures that you have a secured and properly functioning Docker environment, as you need for your containerized application deployment, like Coolify. That makes it ready for a smooth development and deployment cycle on VPS platforms.

3. Install Docker Compose:

Docker Compose is an important tool for defining and managing multi-container applications, such as Coolify. To install Docker Compose, use the command provided in the guide.

sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/docker/compose/releases/latest | grep -Po '"tag_name": "\K.*?(?=")')/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

This command downloads the latest version of Docker Compose from GitHub into our local machine and puts it in the directory /usr/local/bin/. This command (to check you have the latest version) ensures your server has the latest features, including advanced orchestration capabilities for deploying and managing Coolify, supporting ease, simplicity, and efficiency.

4. Apply Executable Permissions:

In order to use Docker Compose as an executable command, you have to give the appropriate permission.

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

Then, change the permissions of the Docker Compose binary. This step is to set the executable flag so the system will know about and be able to execute the‘docker-compose’ command. Without this change, Docker Compose will function incorrectly, and there will be potential command errors. The output of this simple configuration is that it verifies Docker Compose is configured correctly and can be used to manage containerized applications, which is important if Coolify runs on your local environment as all our self-hosted applications might.

5. Verify Docker Compose Installation:

Once Docker Compose is installed and permissions are set, it is crucial to verify the installation. Run 

docker-compose --version

To confirm that your system properly recognizes Docker Compose. This command displays the version of Docker Compose installed, ensuring that everything is set up correctly and there were no issues during the installation. Verification acts as a final check before proceeding to more complex configurations or deploying applications like Coolify. Confirming this step gives confidence that your container orchestration setup is fully functional and ready to manage multi-service applications on your VPS hosting environment.

Step 2: Install Coolify Using the Official Command

Use Coolify’s official command for installation to simplify the setup process. This command pulls and configures Coolify quickly:

Install Coolify

Installing Coolify on your VPS is very simple using its official command. This process is simplified through automation, pulling, and setting up Coolify with minimal intervention. 

To start, run the command :

curl -sSL https://get.coollabs.io/coolify | bash

This script automates the download and configuration of Coolify within a Docker-managed environment. By leveraging this command, you save significant setup time, enabling you to focus on deploying and managing your applications. This simple approach makes it easy to install Coolify and create a self-hosted alternative to popular deployment platforms, enhancing your hosting experience with efficient, container-based operations.

Completion of Coolify Installation:

After running the automated installation script, you are greeted with a success message, signaling that Coolify has been installed and is in a healthy state. The installation script may include a brief pause for database migrations, ensuring all backend components are properly set up. A touch of humor is added to make the wait more enjoyable. Upon completion, the message “Congratulations!” confirms a successful installation, and the IP address along with the port.

Step 3: Access the Coolify Dashboard

Once the installation is completed:

Access Coolify by navigating to your server’s IP address in your web browser, followed by port 8000:

http://your-server-ip:8000

Following this step will direct you to the Coolify interface, where you can proceed with the initial configuration.

There, you’ll be asked to create an admin account on the login page. Its setup is very simple; all you need to do is fill in your email and password. After registering, the admin account grants you access to all of Coolify’s features to deploy, operate, and manage your apps without interruption. This initial step of getting this first step of completing ensures that Coolify’s environment is ready to play host to and ‘orchestrate the running of containerized applications’ on your VPS.

Creating Your Admin Account in Coolify:

Once you are able to access your server’s IP address taking the server’s IP and port 8000 to it, you will be redirected to the initial page of the Coolify dashboard you will first need to enroll to begin establishing. It is one of the important steps because this gives you administrative access. Enter your name and a valid Email Address, and create a strong Password to secure your account. The registration process is easy; it basically leads you to verify the password. The “Register” button, once clicked, finishes the setup of your admin profile after it has been completed.

With this account, you have full control of Coolify’s features (deployments, projects, server settings), and you can manage all with ease. Once you create an admin account, you’re no longer ‘just’ installing Coolify, and it’s time to start using all Coolify has to offer. In this setup, you ensure that no one but you or authorized users have administrative rights and maintain the security and integrity of the Coolify-hosted applications.

Initial Configuration  – Registering Your Admin Account:

• Set up an admin account following the on-screen prompts.

Initial Onboarding:

After signing up and logging in, you are redirected to the “Welcome to Coolify” page. It is an introductory screen that will get you on your way to setting up your environment and handling its important parts. Your onboarding entry point — the highlighted Get Started button — lets you know what to do and how to configure the basic settings.

By clicking on ‘Get Started,’ you start an interactive process that steps you through the platform’s main features, as well as how the platform looks and does what it needs to do. For new users, this is helpful as it structures the process to walk through the Coolify dashboard, project management tools, and deployment configurations. If you’re looking to skip the onboarding and dive straight into advanced configurations, an option for that, too, is available. Its blend of guided learning and flexible exploration makes Coolify a user-friendly and flexible tool suitable for different levels of expertise, which ensures your move to an application manager will feel smoother and more intuitive.

Server Configuration in Coolify: Choosing Your Deployment Environment:

After signing up and logging in to your admin account, next after you get to the Coolify dashboard, select your server environment. The screen presents you with two primary options: Localhost and Remote Server. Using Localhost means that you can deploy and maintain your applications on the same server that Coolify is installed. A smaller version is more suitable for deployment, testing, and development phases where the application and management tool run on the same server.

Our other option at this point is to select Remote Server which would allow you to deploy Coolify to external servers. For larger scale or distributed projects, where application resources are located on multiple systems, this option provides a good choice. These choices are explained on the explanation panel, and we can help the user decide based on their project scale, security needs, and how to handle resources. It is important to understand this distinction so as to utilize Coolify’s abilities to come along with your hosting and deployment strategy.

Exploring the Coolify Dashboard – Server Selection:

It’s a clear dashboard with side nav panels and resources for applications, databases, and Docker services. To get familiar with the features and workflow, you have to do some logging in and navigate this interface. This exploration shows you how to create new resources and deploy and monitor system health. With Coolify’s dashboard structure, controlling large projects will seem like a walk in the park for you and suit your unique requirements.

Step 4: Create Your First Project in Coolify

Coolify supports net core application types such as Node.js, Python, PHP, and more popular frameworks and languages; this gives it flexibility to suit any application needs. To get started with your first project, follow these detailed steps:

Set Up a New Project

1. Navigate to “Create New Project” 

Moving to the dashboard, you will find the section to Create New Project in order to start building your first application inside Coolify. By doing this, a simple form is brought up and you will input the information for your project setup. Identify your project easily within the dashboard by filling in fields like the Project Name and Description.

The nice thing about Coolify is that it has a nice user-friendly interface that lets you organize your projects, sort them out, and have them for a purpose. After entering the needed data you click Continue. This first step establishes the environment of your project and initializes the configuration for the source, dependencies, and deployment. The process of creating a project on Coolify is intuitive, and this DFS simplifies the overall process down to a painless path from setup to full Docker and source integration to deploy your application.

2. Choose the Project Type:

After you’ve reached the spot where you start creating your project (similar to the name) and set up your basic project details, the next step is choosing the type of the project. Coolify provides support to a number of application types to meet different needs by development frameworks. If you’ve chosen that you want a new project from the New Resource screen, then you can select from options like Static Sites, Node.js, or other frameworks based on your needs.

With Coolify’s interface, these options are organized nicely, and you can choose the ideal environment for your deployment. Whether you are a static website host or a full-stack utilizer, Coolify offers both flexible and container-based solutions. This step is to check if your project is set up correctly with the correct base image or source config.

3. Connect Your Git Repository:

The deployment process is simple and keep it as same as possible by connecting your version control server. Within Coolify, authenticate your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account directly. This integration helps you easily pick up your project code and deploy updates in a breeze. It will allow the connected repository also to enable features such as continuous deployment, which means that any changes you make to your code base trigger new builds and updates to your live project.

After choosing your project type and connecting your version control system, the next step in Coolify is to select the repository and branch for deployment. In the Create a New Application section, you’ll see a prompt to input your repository URL. Once entered, click on Check Repository to see if Coolify recognizes it correctly.

Immediately after starting your deployment, as configured on the Coolify dashboard, the project Deployment section now displays real time logs of it. It paints a detailed picture of all of the build stages, logs, environment setup, and deployment status. You can see completed logs that tell you your project is live and in use. These logs are reviewed to keep an eye on the process, to diagnose any problems and to make sure that the deployment is what you expected.

Once all necessary fields are filled, click on Continue to move forward with the project configuration. This step sets up the continuous deployment pipeline so future code pushes to the selected branch can trigger automatic updates and redeployments.

Monitoring Deployment Logs: 

Once the deployment begins, Coolify’s dashboard displays real-time logs for your project under the Deployment section. This comprehensive view shows detailed output, including build stages, environment setup, and deployment status. Completed logs indicate that your project is live and operational. Reviewing these logs helps you monitor the process, troubleshoot any issues, and confirm that the deployment aligns with your expectations.

Add Environment Variables

If environment variables are necessary for the configuration of your project, head to the Project Settings. Here, you can safely define and include any needed variables for the correct credentials, API keys, etc., to run your application. Running applications with custom settings requires proper configuration of environment variables and flexibility during the deployment stages.

1. Click on “Environment Variables”

Go to your project settings and highlight Environment Variables in the sidebar. Shared variables are presented in this section and this is also a place for adding or managing more specific environment settings that apply to your project.

2. Add Key-Value Pairs 

In the Shared Variables section for your project, input your required environment variables by adding key-value pairs. Examples include database connection strings, API keys, or configuration flags. Each variable should be entered with a distinct key for easy reference and a secure value that meets your application’s needs.

Step 5: Configure Custom Domains and SSL

Coolify provides a seamless way to link your project to a custom domain and set up SSL for secure connections. Configuring your domain and checking that your application is accessible through a personalized URL offers encrypted communication for better security.

Configure Your Domain

1. Point Your Domain to the VPS’s IP address using your DNS provider.
2. Add the Domain in Coolify:
   • Go to the project settings and add your custom domain.

After these steps are completed, Coolify will automatically create SSL certificates for your domain using Let’s Encrypt, and Coolify will automatically turn your domain into HTTPS.

Step 6: Monitor Server Performance

Monitoring server performance is important for ensuring that your applications run easily and your server maintains optimal stability. Built with built-in tools and integrated with external monitoring solutions, Coolify will help you to track performance metrics and identify potential problems effectively.

Use Glances for Real-Time Monitoring

It’s based on glances to keep tabs on such stats as CPU usage and open processes in real time. Now, for example, given tools like Glances with Coolify, you can see what your server consumes and, with preemptive action, take to avoid problems that might affect your apps.

Install Glances:

To install Glances, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install -y glances

Using this command will download and install Glances and all needed dependencies on your server, so you’ll be ready for further monitoring.

Run Glances:

glances

Alternatives for Advanced Monitoring

• Grafana and Prometheus: For comprehensive data visualization and alerts.
• Netdata: Provides real-time, detailed metrics with interactive visuals.

Step 7: Backup and Restore Your Data

That is why backing up your data automatically with the Coolify Admin Dashboard is extremely important. Backups make sure if you experience server failure or data loss, you can restore all your data and applications and continue with minimal or no downtime.

Conclusion

Deploying and managing web applications on Voxfor Lifetime VPS hosting, Coolify sets up a robust, cost effective solution for your web applications deployment and web applications management. Included in this guide is the whole process, from initial installation following the official command to setting up monitoring and backups. By following these steps, developers and businesses can leverage Coolify for scalable, independent application management.

Visit the Coolify GitHub repository for further documentation and updates.

About the writer

This article was written by Vinayak Baranwal, For more insightful content or collaboration opportunities, feel free to connect with Vinayak on LinkedIn through the provided link.