---
title: "Deploy AFFiNE Self-Hosted (Docker)"
description: "Step-by-step guide to self-hosting AFFiNE with Docker Compose. "
---

# Deploy AFFiNE

There can be more than Notion and Miro. AFFiNE(pronounced [ə‘fain]) is a next-gen knowledge base that brings planning, sorting and creating all together. Privacy first, open-source, customizable and ready to use. 

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  <span className="deploy-hero-item">⭐ 62.7k stars</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">📜 Other</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">🔴 Advanced</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">⏱ ~20 minutes</span>
  
</div>

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  >
    🚀 Deploy on DigitalOcean ($200 Free Credit)
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## What You'll Get

A fully working AFFiNE instance running on your server. Your data stays on your hardware — no third-party access, no usage limits, no surprise invoices.

## Prerequisites

- A server with Docker and Docker Compose installed ([setup guide](/quick-start/choosing-a-server))
- A domain name pointed to your server (optional but recommended)
- Basic terminal access (SSH)

## The Config

Create a directory for AFFiNE and add this `docker-compose.yml`:

```yaml
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
# 🚀 Created and distributed by The AltStack
# 🌍 https://thealtstack.com
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------

# Docker Compose for AFFiNE
version: '3.8'

services:
  affine:
    image: ghcr.io/toeverything/affine-graphql:latest # Using official as fallback but custom build setup exists in Dockerfile
    container_name: affine
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    environment:
      - DATABASE_URL=postgres://affine:affine@db:5432/affine
      - REDIS_URL=redis://redis:6379
      - NODE_ENV=production
    depends_on:
      db:
        condition: service_healthy
      redis:
        condition: service_healthy
    networks:
      - affine_net
    healthcheck:
      test: [ "CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:3000/" ]
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3

  db:
    image: postgres:15-alpine
    container_name: affine-db
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: affine
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: affine
      POSTGRES_DB: affine
    volumes:
      - affine_db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    networks:
      - affine_net
    healthcheck:
      test: [ "CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U affine" ]
      interval: 5s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 5

  redis:
    image: redis:7-alpine
    container_name: affine-redis
    networks:
      - affine_net
    healthcheck:
      test: [ "CMD", "redis-cli", "ping" ]
      interval: 5s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 5

networks:
  affine_net:
    driver: bridge

volumes:
  affine_db_data:
    name: affine_db_data
```

## Let's Ship It

```bash
# Create a directory
mkdir -p /opt/affine && cd /opt/affine

# Create the docker-compose.yml (paste the config above)
nano docker-compose.yml

# Pull images and start
docker compose up -d

# Watch the logs
docker compose logs -f
```

## Environment Variables

| Variable | Default | Required |
|---|---|---|
| `DATABASE_URL` | `postgres://affine:affine@db:5432/affine` | No |
| `REDIS_URL` | `redis://redis:6379` | No |
| `NODE_ENV` | `production` | No |


## Post-Deployment Checklist

- [ ] Service is accessible on the configured port
- [ ] Admin account created (if applicable)
- [ ] Reverse proxy configured ([Caddy guide](/concepts/reverse-proxies))
- [ ] SSL/HTTPS working
- [ ] Backup script set up ([backup guide](/concepts/backups))
- [ ] Uptime monitor added ([Uptime Kuma](/deploy/uptime-kuma))

## The "I Broke It" Section

**Container won't start?**
```bash
docker compose logs affine | tail -50
```

**Port already in use?**
```bash
# Find what's using the port
lsof -i :PORT_NUMBER
```

**Need to start fresh?**
```bash
docker compose down -v  # ⚠️ This deletes volumes/data!
docker compose up -d
```

## Going Further

- [AFFiNE on AltStack Directory](https://thealtstack.com/alternative-to/affine)
- [AFFiNE Self-Hosted Guide](https://thealtstack.com/self-hosted/affine)
- [Official Documentation](https://affine.pro)
- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/toeverything/AFFiNE)