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

# Deploy AppFlowy

Bring projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. AppFlowy is the AI collaborative workspace where you achieve more without losing control of your data. The leading open source Notion alternative.

<div className="deploy-hero">
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">⭐ 68.0k stars</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">📜 GNU Affero General Public License v3.0</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">🔴 Advanced</span>
  <span className="deploy-hero-item">⏱ ~20 minutes</span>
  
</div>

<div className="mt-8 mb-4">
  <a 
    href="https://m.do.co/c/2ed27757a361" 
    target="_blank" 
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    className="flex items-center justify-center w-full px-6 py-4 text-lg font-bold text-white transition-all bg-blue-600 rounded-xl hover:bg-blue-700 hover:scale-[1.02] shadow-lg shadow-blue-500/30"
  >
    🚀 Deploy on DigitalOcean ($200 Free Credit)
  </a>
</div>


## What You'll Get

A fully working AppFlowy 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 AppFlowy and add this `docker-compose.yml`:

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

# Docker Compose for AppFlowy Cloud
version: '3.8'

services:
  appflowy:
    build:
      context: .
      dockerfile: Dockerfile
    container_name: appflowy-cloud
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    environment:
      - DATABASE_URL=postgres://postgres:${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:-password}@db:5432/appflowy
      - REDIS_URL=redis://redis:6379
    depends_on:
      db:
        condition: service_healthy
      redis:
        condition: service_healthy
    networks:
      - appflowy_net
    healthcheck:
      test: [ "CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:8080/health" ]
      interval: 10s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 5

  db:
    image: postgres:15-alpine
    container_name: appflowy-db
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:-password}
      POSTGRES_DB: appflowy
    volumes:
      - appflowy_db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    networks:
      - appflowy_net
    healthcheck:
      test: [ "CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U postgres" ]
      interval: 5s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 5

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

networks:
  appflowy_net:
    driver: bridge

volumes:
  appflowy_db_data:
    name: appflowy_db_data
```

## Let's Ship It

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

# 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://postgres:${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:-password}@db:5432/appflowy` | No |
| `REDIS_URL` | `redis://redis:6379` | No |
| `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` | `password` | 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 appflowy | 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

- [AppFlowy on AltStack Directory](https://thealtstack.com/alternative-to/appflowy)
- [AppFlowy Self-Hosted Guide](https://thealtstack.com/self-hosted/appflowy)
- [Official Documentation](https://www.appflowy.io)
- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy)