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Why Self-Host AppFlowy?

Self-hosting AppFlowy gives you complete control over your workspace data and infrastructure. Here are the key benefits:

Data Sovereignty

Keep all your workspace data on your own infrastructure with complete control over storage and access.

Privacy & Security

Ensure sensitive information never leaves your network. Implement custom security policies.

Customization

Customize the deployment to meet your specific requirements and integrate with existing systems.

Cost Control

Optimize costs by hosting on your own infrastructure without per-user subscription fees.

Architecture Overview

AppFlowy’s self-hosted architecture consists of several components working together:

Core Components

Application Server

The main AppFlowy backend service that handles business logic, data processing, and real-time collaboration.

PostgreSQL Database

Primary data store for workspaces, documents, users, and metadata. Requires version 14 or higher.

Redis Cache

In-memory cache for session management, real-time presence, and performance optimization.

S3-Compatible Storage

Object storage for file uploads, images, and document attachments. Works with AWS S3, MinIO, or similar.

GoTrue Authentication

Authentication service managing user sign-up, login, and JWT token generation.

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

For small teams (up to 10 users):

CPU

2 vCPU cores

Memory

4 GB RAM

Storage

20 GB SSD

Network

100 Mbps bandwidth
For medium teams (up to 100 users):

CPU

4-8 vCPU cores

Memory

16 GB RAM

Storage

100 GB SSD (+ object storage)

Network

1 Gbps bandwidth

Software Prerequisites

1

Operating System

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later, Debian 11+, or any modern Linux distribution with Docker support
2

Container Runtime

Docker Engine 24.0+ and Docker Compose 2.20+
3

Domain & SSL

A registered domain name and valid SSL certificate (or Let’s Encrypt setup)
4

Network Access

Open ports: 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), and optionally 22 (SSH) for management

Deployment Options

The simplest deployment method using Docker Compose to orchestrate all services. Best for:
  • Small to medium teams
  • Quick setup and testing
  • Single-server deployments

Kubernetes

Scalable deployment for production environments. Best for:
  • Large organizations
  • High availability requirements
  • Multi-region deployments

Manual Installation

Direct installation on bare metal or VMs. Best for:
  • Custom infrastructure requirements
  • Advanced users
  • Specific compliance needs

What’s Next?

Installation Guide

Follow step-by-step instructions to deploy AppFlowy

Configuration

Configure environment variables and services

Security Setup

Secure your AppFlowy deployment

Community Support

Join our Discord for help and discussions
Self-hosting requires technical expertise in system administration, Docker, and database management. Ensure you have the necessary skills or team support before proceeding.

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