This guide is a step-by-step installation guide for Alpine Linux. It also assumes that you have administrative rights, either as root or a user with [sudo permissions](https://www.linode.com/docs/tools-reference/custom-kernels-distros/install-alpine-linux-on-your-linode/#configuration). If you want to run this guide with root, ignore the `sudo` at the beginning of the lines, unless it calls a user like `sudo -Hu pleroma`; in this case, use `su -l <username> -s $SHELL -c 'command'` instead.
### Required packages
* `postgresql`
* `elixir`
* `erlang`
* `erlang-parsetools`
* `erlang-xmerl`
* `git`
* Development Tools
#### Optional packages used in this guide
* `nginx` (preferred, example configs for other reverse proxies can be found in the repo)
* `certbot` (or any other ACME client for Let’s Encrypt certificates)
### Prepare the system
* First make sure to have the community repository enabled:
```shell
echo "https://nl.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/community" | sudo tee -a /etc/apk/repository
**Note**: To execute a single command as the Pleroma system user, use `sudo -Hu pleroma command`. You can also switch to a shell by using `sudo -Hu pleroma $SHELL`. If you don’t have and want `sudo` on your system, you can use `su` as root user (UID 0) for a single command by using `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL -c 'command'` and `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL` for starting a shell.
* Git clone the PleromaBE repository and make the Pleroma user the owner of the directory:
* Install the dependencies for Pleroma and answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `Hex`:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma mix deps.get
```
* Generate the configuration: `sudo -Hu pleroma mix pleroma.instance gen`
* Answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `rebar3`.
* This may take some time, because parts of pleroma get compiled first.
* After that it will ask you a few questions about your instance and generates a configuration file in `config/generated_config.exs`.
* Check the configuration and if all looks right, rename it, so Pleroma will load it (`prod.secret.exs` for productive instance, `dev.secret.exs` for development instances):
```shell
mv config/{generated_config.exs,prod.secret.exs}
```
* The previous command creates also the file `config/setup_db.psql`, with which you can create the database:
```shell
sudo -Hu postgres psql -f config/setup_db.psql
```
* Now run the database migration:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix ecto.migrate
```
* Now you can start Pleroma already
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix phx.server
```
### Finalize installation
If you want to open your newly installed instance to the world, you should run nginx or some other webserver/proxy in front of Pleroma and you should consider to create an OpenRC service file for Pleroma.
#### Nginx
* Install nginx, if not already done:
```shell
sudo apk add nginx
```
* Setup your SSL cert, using your method of choice or certbot. If using certbot, first install it:
If that doesn’t work, make sure, that nginx is not already running. If it still doesn’t work, try setting up nginx first (change ssl “on” to “off” and try again).
* Copy the example nginx configuration to the nginx folder
* [Updating your instance](Updating-your-instance)
## Questions
Questions about the installation or didn’t it work as it should be, ask in [#pleroma:matrix.org](https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org) or IRC Channel **#pleroma** on **Freenode**.
This guide will assume that you have administrative rights, either as root or a user with [sudo permissions](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sudo). If you want to run this guide with root, ignore the `sudo` at the beginning of the lines, unless it calls a user like `sudo -Hu pleroma`; in this case, use `su <username> -s $SHELL -c 'command'` instead.
### Required packages
* `postgresql`
* `elixir`
* `git`
* `base-devel`
#### Optional packages used in this guide
* `nginx` (preferred, example configs for other reverse proxies can be found in the repo)
* `certbot` (or any other ACME client for Let’s Encrypt certificates)
### Prepare the system
* First update the system, if not already done:
```shell
sudo pacman -Syu
```
* Install some of the above mentioned programs:
```shell
sudo pacman -S git base-devel elixir
```
### Install PostgreSQL
[Arch Wiki article](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PostgreSQL)
**Note**: To execute a single command as the Pleroma system user, use `sudo -Hu pleroma command`. You can also switch to a shell by using `sudo -Hu pleroma $SHELL`. If you don’t have and want `sudo` on your system, you can use `su` as root user (UID 0) for a single command by using `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL -c 'command'` and `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL` for starting a shell.
* Git clone the PleromaBE repository and make the Pleroma user the owner of the directory:
* Install the dependencies for Pleroma and answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `Hex`:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma mix deps.get
```
* Generate the configuration: `sudo -Hu pleroma mix pleroma.instance gen`
* Answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `rebar3`.
* This may take some time, because parts of pleroma get compiled first.
* After that it will ask you a few questions about your instance and generates a configuration file in `config/generated_config.exs`.
* Check the configuration and if all looks right, rename it, so Pleroma will load it (`prod.secret.exs` for productive instance, `dev.secret.exs` for development instances):
```shell
mv config/{generated_config.exs,prod.secret.exs}
```
* The previous command creates also the file `config/setup_db.psql`, with which you can create the database:
```shell
sudo -Hu postgres psql -f config/setup_db.psql
```
* Now run the database migration:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix ecto.migrate
```
* Now you can start Pleroma already
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix phx.server
```
### Finalize installation
If you want to open your newly installed instance to the world, you should run nginx or some other webserver/proxy in front of Pleroma and you should consider to create a systemd service file for Pleroma.
#### Nginx
* Install nginx, if not already done:
```shell
sudo pacman -S nginx
```
* Create directories for available and enabled sites:
If that doesn’t work, make sure, that nginx is not already running. If it still doesn’t work, try setting up nginx first (change ssl “on” to “off” and try again).
---
* Copy the example nginx configuration and activate it:
* [Updating your instance](Updating-your-instance)
## Questions
Questions about the installation or didn’t it work as it should be, ask in [#pleroma:matrix.org](https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org) or IRC Channel **#pleroma** on **Freenode**.
This guide is a step-by-step installation guide for CentOS 7. It also assumes that you have administrative rights, either as root or a user with [sudo permissions](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-create-a-sudo-user-on-centos-quickstart). If you want to run this guide with root, ignore the `sudo` at the beginning of the lines, unless it calls a user like `sudo -Hu pleroma`; in this case, use `su <username> -s $SHELL -c 'command'` instead.
### Required packages
* `postgresql` (9,6+, CentOS 7 comes with 9.2, we will install version 11 in this guide)
* `elixir` (1.5+)
* `erlang`
* `erlang-parsetools`
* `erlang-xmerl`
* `git`
* Development Tools
#### Optional packages used in this guide
* `nginx` (preferred, example configs for other reverse proxies can be found in the repo)
* `certbot` (or any other ACME client for Let’s Encrypt certificates)
* Download [latest Elixir release from Github](https://github.com/elixir-lang/elixir/releases/tag/v1.8.1) (Example for the newest version at the time when this manual was written)
**Note**: To execute a single command as the Pleroma system user, use `sudo -Hu pleroma command`. You can also switch to a shell by using `sudo -Hu pleroma $SHELL`. If you don’t have and want `sudo` on your system, you can use `su` as root user (UID 0) for a single command by using `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL -c 'command'` and `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL` for starting a shell.
* Git clone the PleromaBE repository and make the Pleroma user the owner of the directory:
* Install the dependencies for Pleroma and answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `Hex`:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma mix deps.get
```
* Generate the configuration: `sudo -Hu pleroma mix pleroma.instance gen`
* Answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `rebar3`.
* This may take some time, because parts of pleroma get compiled first.
* After that it will ask you a few questions about your instance and generates a configuration file in `config/generated_config.exs`.
* Check the configuration and if all looks right, rename it, so Pleroma will load it (`prod.secret.exs` for productive instance, `dev.secret.exs` for development instances):
```shell
mv config/{generated_config.exs,prod.secret.exs}
```
* The previous command creates also the file `config/setup_db.psql`, with which you can create the database:
```shell
sudo -Hu postgres psql -f config/setup_db.psql
```
* Now run the database migration:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix ecto.migrate
```
* Now you can start Pleroma already
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix phx.server
```
### Finalize installation
If you want to open your newly installed instance to the world, you should run nginx or some other webserver/proxy in front of Pleroma and you should consider to create a systemd service file for Pleroma.
#### Nginx
* Install nginx, if not already done:
```shell
sudo yum install nginx
```
* Setup your SSL cert, using your method of choice or certbot. If using certbot, first install it:
If that doesn’t work, make sure, that nginx is not already running. If it still doesn’t work, try setting up nginx first (change ssl “on” to “off” and try again).
---
* Copy the example nginx configuration to the nginx folder
* [Updating your instance](Updating-your-instance)
## Questions
Questions about the installation or didn’t it work as it should be, ask in [#pleroma:matrix.org](https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org) or IRC Channel **#pleroma** on **Freenode**.
This guide will assume you are on Debian Stretch. This guide should also work with Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04. It also assumes that you have administrative rights, either as root or a user with [sudo permissions](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-add-delete-and-grant-sudo-privileges-to-users-on-a-debian-vps). If you want to run this guide with root, ignore the `sudo` at the beginning of the lines, unless it calls a user like `sudo -Hu pleroma`; in this case, use `su <username> -s $SHELL -c 'command'` instead.
### Required packages
* `postgresql` (9.6+, Ubuntu 16.04 comes with 9.5, you can get a newer version from [here](https://www.postgresql.org/download/linux/ubuntu/))
* `postgresql-contrib` (9.6+, same situtation as above)
* `elixir` (1.5+, [install from here, Debian and Ubuntu ship older versions](https://elixir-lang.org/install.html#unix-and-unix-like) or use [asdf](https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf) as the pleroma user)
* `erlang-dev`
* `erlang-tools`
* `erlang-parsetools`
* `erlang-eldap`, if you want to enable ldap authenticator
* `erlang-ssh`
* `erlang-xmerl`
* `git`
* `build-essential`
#### Optional packages used in this guide
* `nginx` (preferred, example configs for other reverse proxies can be found in the repo)
* `certbot` (or any other ACME client for Let’s Encrypt certificates)
**Note**: To execute a single command as the Pleroma system user, use `sudo -Hu pleroma command`. You can also switch to a shell by using `sudo -Hu pleroma $SHELL`. If you don’t have and want `sudo` on your system, you can use `su` as root user (UID 0) for a single command by using `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL -c 'command'` and `su -l pleroma -s $SHELL` for starting a shell.
* Git clone the PleromaBE repository and make the Pleroma user the owner of the directory:
* Install the dependencies for Pleroma and answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `Hex`:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma mix deps.get
```
* Generate the configuration: `sudo -Hu pleroma mix pleroma.instance gen`
* Answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `rebar3`.
* This may take some time, because parts of pleroma get compiled first.
* After that it will ask you a few questions about your instance and generates a configuration file in `config/generated_config.exs`.
* Check the configuration and if all looks right, rename it, so Pleroma will load it (`prod.secret.exs` for productive instance, `dev.secret.exs` for development instances):
```shell
mv config/{generated_config.exs,prod.secret.exs}
```
* The previous command creates also the file `config/setup_db.psql`, with which you can create the database:
```shell
sudo -Hu postgres psql -f config/setup_db.psql
```
* Now run the database migration:
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix ecto.migrate
```
* Now you can start Pleroma already
```shell
sudo -Hu pleroma MIX_ENV=prod mix phx.server
```
### Finalize installation
If you want to open your newly installed instance to the world, you should run nginx or some other webserver/proxy in front of Pleroma and you should consider to create a systemd service file for Pleroma.
#### Nginx
* Install nginx, if not already done:
```shell
sudo apt install nginx
```
* Setup your SSL cert, using your method of choice or certbot. If using certbot, first install it:
If that doesn’t work, make sure, that nginx is not already running. If it still doesn’t work, try setting up nginx first (change ssl “on” to “off” and try again).
---
* Copy the example nginx configuration and activate it:
* [Updating your instance](Updating-your-instance)
## Questions
Questions about the installation or didn’t it work as it should be, ask in [#pleroma:matrix.org](https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org) or IRC Channel **#pleroma** on **Freenode**.
This guide will assume that you have administrative rights, either as root or a user with [sudo permissions](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Sudo). Lines that begin with `#` indicate that they should be run as the superuser. Lines using `$` should be run as the indicated user, e.g. `pleroma$` should be run as the `pleroma` user.
### Configuring your hostname (optional)
If you would like your prompt to permanently include your host/domain, change `/etc/conf.d/hostname` to your hostname. You can reboot or use the `hostname` command to make immediate changes.
### Your make.conf, package.use, and USE flags
The only specific USE flag you should need is the `uuid` flag for `dev-db/postgresql`. Add the following line to any new file in `/etc/portage/package.use`. If you would like a suggested name for the file, either `postgresql` or `pleroma` would do fine, depending on how you like to arrange your package.use flags.
```text
dev-db/postgresql uuid
```
You could opt to add `USE="uuid"` to `/etc/portage/make.conf` if you'd rather set this as a global USE flags, but this flags does unrelated things in other packages, so keep that in mind if you elect to do so.
Double check your compiler flags in `/etc/portage/make.conf`. If you require any special compilation flags or would like to set up remote builds, now is the time to do so. Be sure that your CFLAGS and MAKEOPTS make sense for the platform you are using. It is not recommended to use above `-O2` or risky optimization flags for a production server.
### Installing a cron daemon
Gentoo quite pointedly does not come with a cron daemon installed, and as such it is recommended you install one to automate certbot renewals and to allow other system administration tasks to be run automatically. Gentoo has [a whole wide world of cron options](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Cron) but if you just want A Cron That Works, `emerge --ask virtual/cron` will install the default cron implementation (probably cronie) which will work just fine. For the purpouses of this guide, we will be doing just that.
### Required ebuilds
* `dev-db/postgresql`
* `dev-lang/elixir`
* `dev-vcs/git`
#### Optional ebuilds used in this guide
* `www-servers/nginx` (preferred, example configs for other reverse proxies can be found in the repo)
* `app-crypt/certbot` (or any other ACME client for Let’s Encrypt certificates)
* `app-crypt/certbot-nginx` (nginx certbot plugin that allows use of the all-powerful `--nginx` flag on certbot)
### Prepare the system
* First ensure that you have the latest copy of the portage ebuilds if you have not synced them yet:
```shell
# emaint sync -a
```
* Emerge all required the required and suggested software in one go:
If you would not like to install the optional packages, remove them from this line.
If you're running this from a low-powered virtual machine, it should work though it will take some time. There were no issues on a VPS with a single core and 1GB of RAM; if you are using an even more limited device and run into issues, you can try creating a swapfile or use a more powerful machine running Gentoo to [cross build](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Cross_build_environment). If you have a wait ahead of you, now would be a good time to take a break, strech a bit, refresh your beverage of choice and/or get a snack, and reply to Arch users' posts with "I use Gentoo btw" as we do.
### Install PostgreSQL
[Gentoo Wiki article](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/PostgreSQL) as well as [PostgreSQL QuickStart](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/PostgreSQL/QuickStart) might be worth a quick glance, as the way Gentoo handles postgres is slightly unusual, with built in capability to have two different databases running for testing and live or whatever other purpouse. While it is still straightforward to install, it does mean that the version numbers used in this guide might change for future updates, so keep an eye out for the output you get from `emerge` to ensure you are using the correct ones.
* Install postgresql if you have not done so already:
```shell
# emerge --ask dev-db/postgresql
```
Ensure that `/etc/conf.d/postgresql-11` has the encoding you want (it defaults to UTF8 which is probably what you want) and make any adjustments to the data directory if you find it necessary. Be sure to adjust the number at the end depending on what version of postgres you actually installed.
* Initialize the database cluster
The output from emerging postgresql should give you a command for initializing the postgres database. The default slot should be indicated in this command, ensure that it matches the command below.
```shell
# emerge --config dev-db/postgresql:11
```
* Start postgres and enable the system service
```shell
# /etc/init.d/postgresql-11 start
# rc-update add postgresql-11 default
```
### A note on licenses, the AGPL, and deployment procedures
If you do not plan to make any modifications to your Pleroma instance, cloning directly from the main repo will get you what you need. However, if you plan on doing any contributions to upstream development, making changes or modifications to your instance, making custom themes, or want to play around--and let's be honest here, if you're using Gentoo that is most likely you--you will save yourself a lot of headache later if you take the time right now to fork the Pleroma repo and use that in the following section.
Not only does this make it much easier to deploy changes you make, as you can commit and pull from upstream and all that good stuff from the comfort of your local machine then simply `git pull` on your instance server when you're ready to deploy, it also ensures you are compliant with the Affero General Public Licence that Pleroma is licenced under, which stipulates that all network services provided with modified AGPL code must publish their changes on a publicly available internet service and for free. It also makes it much easier to ask for help from and provide help to your fellow Pleroma admins if your public repo always reflects what you are running because it is part of your deployment procedure.
### Install PleromaBE
* Add a new system user for the Pleroma service and set up default directories:
Remove `,wheel` if you do not want this user to be able to use `sudo`, however note that being able to `sudo` as the `pleroma` user will make finishing the insallation and common maintenence tasks somewhat easier:
```shell
# useradd -m -G users,wheel -s /bin/bash pleroma
```
Optional: If you are using sudo, review your sudo setup to ensure it works for you. The `/etc/sudoers` file has a lot of options and examples to help you, and [the Gentoo sudo guide](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Sudo) has more information. Finishing this installation will be somewhat easier if you have a way to sudo from the `pleroma` user, but it might be best to not allow that user to sudo during normal operation, and as such there will be a reminder at the end of this guide to double check if you would like to lock down the `pleroma` user after initial setup.
**Note**: To execute a single command as the Pleroma system user, use `sudo -Hu pleroma command`. You can also switch to a shell by using `sudo -Hu pleroma $SHELL`. If you don't have or want `sudo` or would like to use the system as the `pleroma` user for instance maintenance tasks, you can simply use `su - pleroma` to switch to the `pleroma` user.
* Git clone the PleromaBE repository and make the Pleroma user the owner of the directory:
It is highly recommended you use your own fork for the `https://path/to/repo` part below, however if you foolishly decide to forego using your own fork, the primary repo `https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma` will work here.
* Install the dependencies for Pleroma and answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `Hex`:
```shell
pleroma$ mix deps.get
```
* Generate the configuration:
```shell
pleroma$ mix pleroma.instance gen
```
* Answer with `yes` if it asks you to install `rebar3`.
* This part precompiles some parts of Pleroma, so it might take a few moments
* After that it will ask you a few questions about your instance and generates a configuration file in `config/generated_config.exs`.
* Spend some time with `generated_config.exs` to ensure that everything is in order. If you plan on using an S3-compatible service to store your local media, that can be done here. You will likely mostly be using `prod.secret.exs` for a production instance, however if you would like to set up a development environment, make a copy to `dev.secret.exs` and adjust settings as needed as well.
* The previous command creates also the file `config/setup_db.psql`, with which you can create the database. Ensure that it is using the correct database name on the `CREATE DATABASE` and the `\c` lines, then run the postgres script:
It probably won't work over the public internet quite yet, however, as we still need to set up a web servere to proxy to the pleroma application, as well as configure SSL.
### Finalize installation
Assuming you want to open your newly installed federated social network to, well, the federation, you should run nginx or some other webserver/proxy in front of Pleroma. It is also a good idea to set up Pleroma to run as a system service.
#### Nginx
* Install nginx, if not already done:
```shell
# emerge --ask www-servers/nginx
```
* Create directories for available and enabled sites:
```shell
# mkdir -p /etc/nginx/sites-{available,enabled}
```
* Append the following line at the end of the `http` block in `/etc/nginx/nginx.conf`:
```Nginx
include sites-enabled/*;
```
* Setup your SSL cert, using your method of choice or certbot. If using certbot, install it if you haven't already:
If that doesn't work the first time, add `--dry-run` to further attempts to avoid being ratelimited as you identify the issue, and do not remove it until the dry run succeeds. If that doesn’t work, make sure, that nginx is not already running. If it still doesn’t work, try setting up nginx first (change ssl “on” to “off” and try again). Often the answer to issues with certbot is to use the `--nginx` flag once you have nginx up and running.
If you are using any additional subdomains, such as for a media proxy, you can re-run the same command with the subdomain in question. When it comes time to renew later, you will not need to run multiple times for each domain, one renew will handle it.
---
* Copy the example nginx configuration and activate it:
* Take some time to ensure that your nginx config is correct
Replace all instances of `example.tld` with your instance's public URL. If for whatever reason you made changes to the port that your pleroma app runs on, be sure that is reflected in your configuration.
Pay special attention to the line that begins with `ssl_ecdh_curve`. It is stongly advised to comment that line out so that OpenSSL will use its full capabilities, and it is also possible you are running OpenSSL 1.0.2 necessitating that you do this.
* Enable and start nginx:
```shell
# rc-update add nginx default
# /etc/init.d/nginx start
```
If you are using certbot, it is HIGHLY recommend you set up a cron job that renews your certificate, and that you install the suggested `certbot-nginx` plugin. If you don't do these things, you only have yourself to blame when your instance breaks suddenly because you forgot about it.
First, ensure that the command you will be installing into your crontab works.
```shell
# /usr/bin/certbot renew --nginx
```
Assuming not much time has passed since you got certbot working a few steps ago, you should get a message for all domains you installed certificates for saying `Cert not yet due for renewal`.
Now, run crontab as a superuser with `crontab -e` or `sudo crontab -e` as appropriate, and add the following line to your cron:
```cron
0 0 1 * * /usr/bin/certbot renew --nginx
```
This will run certbot on the first of the month at midnight. If you'd rather run more frequently, it's not a bad idea, feel free to go for it.
#### Other webserver/proxies
If you would like to use other webservers or proxies, there are example configurations for some popular alternatives in `/home/pleroma/pleroma/installation/`. You can, of course, check out [the Gentoo wiki](https://wiki.gentoo.org) for more information on installing and configuring said alternatives.
#### Create the uploads folder
Even if you are using S3, Pleroma needs someplace to store media posted on your instance. If you are using the `/home/pleroma/pleroma` root folder suggested by this guide, simply:
* Be sure to take a look at this service file and make sure that all paths fit your installation
* Enable and start `pleroma`:
```shell
# rc-update add pleroma default
# /etc/init.d/pleroma start
```
#### Create your first user
If your instance is up and running, you can create your first user with administrative rights with the following task:
```shell
pleroma$ MIX_ENV=prod mix pleroma.user new <username> <your@emailaddress> --admin
```
#### Privilege cleanup
If you opted to allow sudo for the `pleroma` user but would like to remove the ability for greater security, now might be a good time to edit `/etc/sudoers` and/or change the groups the `pleroma` user belongs to. Be sure to restart the pleroma service afterwards to ensure it picks up on the changes.
#### Further reading
* [Admin tasks](Admin tasks)
* [Backup your instance](Backup-your-instance)
* [Configuration tips](General tips for customizing pleroma fe)
* [Hardening your instance](Hardening-your-instance)
* [How to activate mediaproxy](How-to-activate-mediaproxy)
* [Updating your instance](Updating-your-instance)
## Questions
Questions about the installation or didn’t it work as it should be, ask in [#pleroma:matrix.org](https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org) or IRC Channel **#pleroma** on **Freenode**.
OTP releases are as close as you can get to binary releases with Erlang/Elixir. The release is self-contained, and provides everything needed to boot it, it is easily administered via the provided shell script to open up a remote console, start/stop/restart the release, start in the background, send remote commands, and more.
### Can I still run the develop branch if I decide to use them?
Yes, we produce builds for every commit in `develop`. However `develop` is considered unstable, please don't use it in production because of faster access to new features, unless you need them as an app developer.
## Why would one want to switch?
Benefits of OTP releases over from-source installs include:
* **Less space used.** OTP releases come without source code, build tools, have docs and debug symbols stripped from the compiled bytecode and do not cointain tests, docs, revision history.
* **Minimal system dependencies.** Excluding the database and reverse proxy, only `curl`, `unzip` and `ncurses` are needed to download and run the release. Because Erlang runtime and Elixir are shipped with Pleroma, one can use the latest BEAM optimizations and Pleroma features, without having to worry about outdated system repos or a missing `erlang-*` package.
* **Potentially less bugs and better performance.** This extends on the previous point, because we have control over exactly what gets shipped, we can tweak the VM arguments and forget about weird bugs due to Erlang/Elixir version mismatches.
* **Faster and less bug-prone mix tasks.** On a from-source install one has to wait untill a new Pleroma node is started for each mix task and they execute outside of the instance context (for example if a user was deleted via a mix task, the instance will have no knowledge of that and continue to display status count and follows before the cache expires). Mix tasks in OTP releases are executed by calling into a running instance via RPC, which solves both of these problems.
### Sounds great, how do I switch?
Currently we support Linux machines with GNU (e.g. Debian, Ubuntu) or musl (e.g. Alpine) libc and `x86_64`, `aarch64` or `armv7l` CPUs. If you are unsure, check the [Detecting flavour](otp_en.html#detecting-flavour) section in OTP install guide. If your platform is supported, proceed with the guide, if not check the [My platform is not supported](#my-platform-is-not-supported) section.
### I don't think it is worth the effort, can I stay on a from-source install?
Yes, currently there are no plans to deprecate them.
### My platform is not supported
If you think your platform is a popular choice for running Pleroma instances, or has the potential to become one, you can [file an issue on our Gitlab](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/issues/new). If not, guides on how to build and update releases by yourself will be available soon.
## Pre-requisites
You will be running commands as root. If you aren't root already, please elevate your priviledges by executing `sudo su`/`su`.
The system needs to have `curl` and `unzip` installed for downloading and unpacking release builds.
Debian/Ubuntu:
```sh
apt install curl unzip
```
Alpine:
```
apk add curl unzip
```
## Moving content out of the application directory
When using OTP releases the application directory changes with every version so it would be a bother to keep content there (and also dangerous unless `--no-rm` option is used when updating). Fortunately almost all paths in Pleroma are configurable, so it is possible to move them out of there.
Pleroma should be stopped before proceeding.
### Moving uploads/custom public files directory
```sh
# Create uploads directory and set proper permissions (skip if using a remote uploader)
# Note: It does not have to be `/var/lib/pleroma/uploads`, you can configure it to be something else later
mkdir -p /var/lib/pleroma/uploads
chown -R pleroma /var/lib/pleroma
# Create custom public files directory
# Note: It does not have to be `/var/lib/pleroma/static`, you can configure it to be something else later
mkdir -p /var/lib/pleroma/static
chown -R pleroma /var/lib/pleroma
# If you use the local uploader with default settings your uploads should be located in `~pleroma/uploads`
mv ~pleroma/uploads/* /var/lib/pleroma/uploads
# If you have created the custom public files directory with default settings it should be located in `~pleroma/instance/static`
and then copy custom emojis to `/var/lib/pleroma/static/emoji/custom`.
This is needed because storing custom emojis in the root directory is deprecated, but if you just move them to `/var/lib/pleroma/static/emoji/custom` it will break emoji urls on old posts.
Note that globs have been replaced with `pack_extensions`, so if your emojis are not in png/gif you should [modify the default value](config.html#emoji).
### Moving the config
```sh
# Create the config directory
# The default path for Pleroma config is /etc/pleroma/config.exs
# but it can be set via PLEROMA_CONFIG_PATH environment variable
This guide describes the installation and configuration of pleroma (and the required software to run it) on a single OpenBSD 6.4 server.
For any additional information regarding commands and configuration files mentioned here, check the man pages [online](https://man.openbsd.org/) or directly on your server with the man command.
#### Required software
The following packages need to be installed:
* elixir
* gmake
* ImageMagick
* git
* postgresql-server
* postgresql-contrib
To install them, run the following command (with doas or as root):
Pleroma requires a reverse proxy, OpenBSD has relayd in base (and is used in this guide) and packages/ports are available for nginx (www/nginx) and apache (www/apache-httpd). Independently of the reverse proxy, [acme-client(1)](https://man.openbsd.org/acme-client) can be used to get a certificate from Let's Encrypt.
#### Creating the pleroma user
Pleroma will be run by a dedicated user, \_pleroma. Before creating it, insert the following lines in login.conf:
```
pleroma:\
:datasize-max=1536M:\
:datasize-cur=1536M:\
:openfiles-max=4096
```
This creates a "pleroma" login class and sets higher values than default for datasize and openfiles (see [login.conf(5)](https://man.openbsd.org/login.conf)), this is required to avoid having pleroma crash some time after starting.
Create the \_pleroma user, assign it the pleroma login class and create its home directory (/home/\_pleroma/): `useradd -m -L pleroma _pleroma`
#### Clone pleroma's directory
-Enter a shell as the \_pleroma user. As root, run `su _pleroma -;cd`. Then clone the repository with `git clone -b master https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma.git`. Pleroma is now installed in /home/\_pleroma/pleroma/, it will be configured and started at the end of this guide.
+Enter a shell as the \_pleroma user. As root, run `su _pleroma -;cd`. Then clone the repository with `git clone -b stable https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma.git`. Pleroma is now installed in /home/\_pleroma/pleroma/, it will be configured and started at the end of this guide.
#### Postgresql
Start a shell as the \_postgresql user (as root run `su _postgresql -` then run the `initdb` command to initialize postgresql:
If you wish to not use the default location for postgresql's data (/var/postgresql/data), add the following switch at the end of the command: `-D <path>` and modify the `datadir` variable in the /etc/rc.d/postgresql script.
When this is done, enable postgresql so that it starts on boot and start it. As root, run:
```
rcctl enable postgresql
rcctl start postgresql
```
To check that it started properly and didn't fail right after starting, you can run `ps aux | grep postgres`, there should be multiple lines of output.
#### httpd
httpd will have three fuctions:
* redirect requests trying to reach the instance over http to the https URL
* serve a robots.txt file
* get Let's Encrypt certificates, with acme-client
Do not forget to change *\<IPv4/6 address\>* to your server's address(es). If httpd should only listen on one protocol family, comment one of the two first *listen* options.
Create the /var/www/htdocs/local/ folder and write the content of your robots.txt in /var/www/htdocs/local/robots.txt.
Check the configuration with `httpd -n`, if it is OK enable and start httpd (as root):
```
rcctl enable httpd
rcctl start httpd
```
#### acme-client
acme-client is used to get SSL/TLS certificates from Let's Encrypt.
Insert the following configuration in /etc/acme-client.conf:
domain full chain certificate "/etc/ssl/<domain name>.fullchain.pem"
sign with letsencrypt-<domain name>
challengedir "/var/www/acme/"
}
```
Replace *\<domain name\>* by the domain name you'll use for your instance. As root, run `acme-client -n` to check the config, then `acme-client -ADv <domain name>` to create account and domain keys, and request a certificate for the first time.
Make acme-client run everyday by adding it in /etc/daily.local. As root, run the following command: `echo "acme-client <domain name>" >> /etc/daily.local`.
Relayd will look for certificates and keys based on the address it listens on (see next part), the easiest way to make them available to relayd is to create a link, as root run:
# Forward some paths to the local server (as pleroma won't respond to them as you might want)
pass request quick path "/robots.txt" forward to <httpd_server>
# Append a bunch of headers
match request header append "X-Forwarded-For" value "$REMOTE_ADDR" # This two header and the next one are not strictly required by pleroma but adding them won't hurt
match request header append "X-Forwarded-By" value "$SERVER_ADDR:$SERVER_PORT"
match response header append "X-XSS-Protection" value "1; mode=block"
match response header append "X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies" value "none"
match response header append "X-Frame-Options" value "DENY"
match response header append "X-Content-Type-Options" value "nosniff"
match response header append "Referrer-Policy" value "same-origin"
match response header append "X-Download-Options" value "noopen"
match response header append "Content-Security-Policy" value "default-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; form-action 'self'; img-src 'self' data: https:; media-src 'self' https:; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; font-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; connect-src 'self' wss://CHANGEME.tld; upgrade-insecure-requests;" # Modify "CHANGEME.tld" and set your instance's domain here
match request header append "Connection" value "upgrade"
#match response header append "Strict-Transport-Security" value "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains" # Uncomment this only after you get HTTPS working.
# If you do not want remote frontends to be able to access your Pleroma backend server, comment these lines
match response header append "Access-Control-Allow-Origin" value "*"
match response header append "Access-Control-Allow-Methods" value "POST, PUT, DELETE, GET, PATCH, OPTIONS"
match response header append "Access-Control-Allow-Headers" value "Authorization, Content-Type, Idempotency-Key"
match response header append "Access-Control-Expose-Headers" value "Link, X-RateLimit-Reset, X-RateLimit-Limit, X-RateLimit-Remaining, X-Request-Id"
# Stop commenting lines here
}
relay wwwtls {
listen on $ext_inet port https tls # Comment to disable listening on IPv4
listen on $ext_inet6 port https tls # Comment to disable listening on IPv6
protocol plerup
forward to <pleroma_server> port 4000 check http "/" code 200
forward to <httpd_server> port 80 check http "/robots.txt" code 200
}
```
Again, change *\<IPv4/6 address\>* to your server's address(es) and comment one of the two *listen* options if needed. Also change *wss://CHANGEME.tld* to *wss://\<your instance's domain name\>*.
Check the configuration with `relayd -n`, if it is OK enable and start relayd (as root):
```
rcctl enable relayd
rcctl start relayd
```
#### pf
Enabling and configuring pf is highly recommended.
In /etc/pf.conf, insert the following configuration:
```
# Macros
if="<network interface>"
authorized_ssh_clients="any"
# Skip traffic on loopback interface
set skip on lo
# Default behavior
set block-policy drop
block in log all
pass out quick
# Security features
match in all scrub (no-df random-id)
block in log from urpf-failed
# Rules
pass in quick on $if inet proto icmp to ($if) icmp-type { echoreq unreach paramprob trace } # ICMP
pass in quick on $if inet6 proto icmp6 to ($if) icmp6-type { echoreq unreach paramprob timex toobig } # ICMPv6
pass in quick on $if proto tcp to ($if) port { http https } # relayd/httpd
pass in quick on $if proto tcp from $authorized_ssh_clients to ($if) port ssh
```
Replace *\<network interface\>* by your server's network interface name (which you can get with ifconfig). Consider replacing the content of the authorized\_ssh\_clients macro by, for exemple, your home IP address, to avoid SSH connection attempts from bots.
Check pf's configuration by running `pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf`, load it with `pfctl -f /etc/pf.conf` and enable pf at boot with `rcctl enable pf`.
#### Configure and start pleroma
Enter a shell as \_pleroma (as root `su _pleroma -`) and enter pleroma's installation directory (`cd ~/pleroma/`).
Then follow the main installation guide:
* run `mix deps.get`
* run `mix pleroma.instance gen` and enter your instance's information when asked
* copy config/generated\_config.exs to config/prod.secret.exs. The default values should be sufficient but you should edit it and check that everything seems OK.
* exit your current shell back to a root one and run `psql -U postgres -f /home/_pleroma/config/setup_db.psql` to setup the database.
* return to a \_pleroma shell into pleroma's installation directory (`su _pleroma -;cd ~/pleroma`) and run `MIX_ENV=prod mix ecto.migrate`
As \_pleroma in /home/\_pleroma/pleroma, you can now run `LC_ALL=en_US.UTF-8 MIX_ENV=prod mix phx.server` to start your instance.
In another SSH session/tmux window, check that it is working properly by running `ftp -MVo - http://127.0.0.1:4000/api/v1/instance`, you should get json output. Double-check that *uri*'s value is your instance's domain name.
##### Starting pleroma at boot
An rc script to automatically start pleroma at boot hasn't been written yet, it can be run in a tmux session (tmux is in base).
* A machine running Linux with GNU (e.g. Debian, Ubuntu) or musl (e.g. Alpine) libc and `x86_64`, `aarch64` or `armv7l` CPU, you have root access to. If you are not sure if it's compatible see [Detecting flavour section](#detecting-flavour) below
* A (sub)domain pointed to the machine
You will be running commands as root. If you aren't root already, please elevate your priviledges by executing `sudo su`/`su`.
While in theory OTP releases are possbile to install on any compatible machine, for the sake of simplicity this guide focuses only on Debian/Ubuntu/Alpine.
If your platform is supported the output will contain the flavour string, you will need it later. If not, this just means that we don't build releases for your platform, you can still try installing from source.
### Installing the required packages
Other than things bundled in the OTP release Pleroma depends on:
* curl (to download the release build)
* unzip (needed to unpack release builds)
* ncurses (ERTS won't run without it)
* PostgreSQL (also utilizes extensions in postgresql-contrib)
* nginx (could be swapped with another reverse proxy but this guide covers only it)
* certbot (for Let's Encrypt certificates, could be swapped with another ACME client, but this guide covers only it)
RUM indexes are an alternative indexing scheme that is not included in PostgreSQL by default. You can read more about them on the [Configuration page](config.html#rum-indexing-for-full-text-search). They are completely optional and most of the time are not worth it, especially if you are running a single user instance (unless you absolutely need ordered search results).
If everything worked, you should see Pleroma-FE when visiting your domain. If that didn't happen, try reviewing the installation steps, starting Pleroma in the foreground and seeing if there are any errrors.
Still doesn't work? Feel free to contact us on [#pleroma on freenode](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=%23pleroma) or via matrix at <https://matrix.heldscal.la/#/room/#freenode_#pleroma:matrix.org>, you can also [file an issue on our Gitlab](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/issues/new)
## Post installation
### Setting up auto-renew Let's Encrypt certificate
```sh
# Create the directory for webroot challenges
mkdir -p /var/lib/letsencrypt
# Uncomment the webroot method
$EDITOR path-to-nginx-config
# Verify that the config is valid
nginx -t
```
Debian/Ubuntu:
```sh
# Restart nginx
systemctl restart nginx
# Ensure the webroot menthod and post hook is working
# If everything worked this should output /etc/periodic/daily/renew-pleroma-cert
run-parts --test /etc/periodic/daily
```
### Running mix tasks
Throughout the wiki and guides there is a lot of references to mix tasks. Since `mix` is a build tool, you can't just call `mix pleroma.task`, instead you should call `pleroma_ctl` stripping pleroma/ecto namespace.
So for example, if the task is `mix pleroma.user set admin --admin`, you should run it like this:
```sh
su pleroma -s $SHELL -lc "./bin/pleroma_ctl user set admin --admin"
```
## Create your first user and set as admin
```sh
cd /opt/pleroma/bin
su pleroma -s $SHELL -lc "./bin/pleroma_ctl user new joeuser joeuser@sld.tld --admin"
```
This will create an account withe the username of 'joeuser' with the email address of joeuser@sld.tld, and set that user's account as an admin. This will result in a link that you can paste into the browser, which logs you in and enables you to set the password.
### Updating
Generally, doing the following is enough:
```sh
# Download the new release
su pleroma -s $SHELL -lc "./bin/pleroma_ctl update"
# Migrate the database, you are advised to stop the instance before doing that
su pleroma -s $SHELL -lc "./bin/pleroma_ctl migrate"
```
But you should **always check the release notes/changelog** in case there are config deprecations, special update steps, etc.
## Further reading
* [Configuration](config.html)
* [Pleroma's base config.exs](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/blob/master/config/config.exs)