How to use the Dokku VPS template

Dokku is an open-source Platform as a Service (PaaS) that simplifies application deployment using Docker containers. Dokku is one of the available operating systems for VPS at Hostinger. Installing the Dokku template on your VPS allows you to easily manage and deploy applications.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started, with a sample Getting Started Ruby App:

Step 1 – Connect to your VPS

Use SSH to access your VPS. Open your terminal and run:

ssh root@your_vps_ip

Replace your_vps_ip with your VPS’s IP address. Enter your VPS password when prompted.

Step 2 – Verify Dokku Installation

After logging in, ensure Dokku is installed by checking its version:
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dokku version

If Dokku is installed correctly, this command will display the installed version.

Step 3 – Finish configuring Dokku for VPS

you can use any domain you already have access to, this domain should have an A record or CNAME pointing at your server’s IP:

dokku domains:set-global example.vps

or you can also use the IP of your server:

dokku domains:set-global 222.222.22.22

On your local machine (not VPS) run:

cat ~/.ssh/your_key.pub | ssh root@your_vps_ip dokku ssh-keys:add name

replace your_key.pub with your local SSH public key, your_vps_ip with your VPS IP and name with a preferred name. Enter your VPS password when prompted.

Step 4 – Create a Dokku Application

Download Ruby Getting Started application on your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/heroku/ruby-getting-started

Return to your VPS terminal and run this command:

dokku apps:create ruby-getting-started

This initializes an app on Dokku with the specified name (replace ruby-getting-started with your desired app name)

The Getting Started app requires a PostgreSQL service, so install the plugin and create the related service as follows:

sudo dokku plugin:install https://github.com/dokku/dokku-postgres.git

After that, run the following:

dokku postgres:create railsdatabase

Replace railsdatabase with a preferred name.

Then link your app with a database:

dokku postgres:link railsdatabase ruby-getting-started

On your local machine run:

cd ruby-getting-started
git remote add dokku dokku@your_vps_ip:your_application_name
git push dokku main

Replace your_vps_ip with a your VPS IP address and your_application_name with your created application name.

After running git push dokku main, it should start building the app and give you a domain or IP address to enter your app.

Step 5 – Access Your Application

Once Dokku completes the build and deployment, your app should be accessible at:

• http://your_server_ip:port if you don’t have a domain set up.

• http://your_app_name.yourdomain.com if you’ve configured a domain for Dokku.

You can also check the terminal and search for the Application deployed: http://your_server_ip:port

That it! Your Getting Started application is ready to be accessed!