{"id":462,"date":"2024-11-07T22:42:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T22:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.hostinger.io\/support\/2024\/11\/07\/10100263-how-to-use-the-dokku-vps-template\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T09:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T09:22:08","slug":"10100263-how-to-use-the-dokku-vps-template","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/support\/10100263-how-to-use-the-dokku-vps-template\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use the Dokku VPS template"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>. Installing the Dokku template on your VPS allows you to easily manage and deploy applications.<\/p>

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If you don’t have a VPS yet, check the available options here: Dokku VPS hosting<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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

Step 1 – Connect to your VPS<\/b><\/h2>

Use SSH to access your VPS. Open your terminal and run:<\/p>

ssh root@your_vps_ip<\/code><\/pre>
Replace your_vps_ip<\/code> with your VPS’s IP address<\/a>. Enter your VPS password when prompted.<\/p>
Step 2 – Verify Dokku Installation<\/b><\/h2>
After logging in, ensure Dokku is installed by checking its version:
\n​<\/p>
dokku version<\/code><\/pre>
If Dokku is installed correctly, this command will display the installed version.<\/p>
Step 3 – Finish configuring Dokku for VPS<\/b><\/h2>
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<\/a>:<\/p>
dokku domains:set-global example.vps<\/code><\/pre>
or you can also use the IP of your server:<\/p>
dokku domains:set-global 222.222.22.22<\/code><\/pre>
On your local machine<\/b> (not VPS) run:<\/p>
cat ~\/.ssh\/your_key.pub | ssh root@your_vps_ip dokku ssh-keys:add name<\/code><\/pre>
replace your_key.pub<\/code> with your local SSH public key, your_vps_ip<\/code> with your VPS IP and name<\/code> with a preferred name. Enter your VPS password when prompted.<\/p>
Step 4 – Create a Dokku Application<\/b><\/h2>
Download Ruby Getting Started application on your local machine<\/b>:<\/p>
git clone https:\/\/github.com\/heroku\/ruby-getting-started<\/code><\/pre>
Return to your VPS terminal<\/b> and run this command:<\/p>
dokku apps:create ruby-getting-started<\/code><\/pre>
This initializes an app on Dokku with the specified name (replace ruby-getting-started<\/code> with your desired app name)<\/p>
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Dokku by default does not<\/b> provide datastores (e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL) on a newly created app.<\/p>\n<\/div>
The Getting Started app requires a PostgreSQL service, so install the plugin and create the related service as follows:<\/p>
sudo dokku plugin:install https:\/\/github.com\/dokku\/dokku-postgres.git<\/code><\/pre>
After that, run the following:<\/p>
dokku postgres:create railsdatabase<\/code><\/pre>
Replace railsdatabase<\/code> with a preferred name.<\/p>
Then link your app with a database:<\/p>
dokku postgres:link railsdatabase ruby-getting-started<\/code><\/pre>
On your local machine<\/b> run:<\/p>
cd ruby-getting-started\r\ngit remote add dokku dokku@your_vps_ip:your_application_name\r\ngit push dokku main<\/code><\/pre>
Replace your_vps_ip<\/code> with a your VPS IP address and your_application_name<\/code> with your created application name.<\/p>
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The remote username must<\/b> be dokku or pushes will fail<\/p>\n<\/div>
After running git push dokku main<\/code>, it should start building the app and give you a domain or IP address to enter your app.<\/p>
Step 5 – Access Your Application<\/b><\/h2>
Once Dokku completes the build and deployment, your app should be accessible at:<\/p>