Move from a maintained open-source repository to a secure, containerised VPS deployment that can be operated, updated, backed up, and recovered.
Self-hosting can replace recurring per-seat subscriptions with infrastructure you control, but it also transfers responsibility for access, updates, data, backups, monitoring, and recovery.
This practical course follows one deployment path from repository selection through Git, Docker, Compose, VPS networking, Coolify or Dokploy, environment values, OAuth, AI integrations, Tailscale, and production operations.
The finish line is not a screenshot of a running application. It is a deployed open-source service with a pinned version, controlled network boundary, protected credentials, tested restore, observable health, and a runbook another authorised operator can use.
Technically literate founders, operators, analysts, and developers who can use a terminal and read project documentation but have not yet operated a production self-hosted service.
Comfort using a command line, editing text files, and following upstream documentation.
Access to a domain or subdomain, a supported Linux VPS, a Git provider, and a non-critical open-source application to deploy.
No prior Docker, Coolify, Dokploy, or Tailscale production experience is required.