> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.chatwoot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Self-Hosted Installation Guide

> Complete guide to install and setup a production-ready Chatwoot instance on your own infrastructure.

Welcome to the Chatwoot self-hosted installation guide. This comprehensive documentation will help you deploy, configure, and maintain your own Chatwoot instance with full control over your data and infrastructure.

## Why Self-Host Chatwoot?

Self-hosting Chatwoot gives you complete control over your customer support platform:

* **Data Privacy**: Keep all customer data on your own servers
* **Customization**: Modify the platform to fit your specific needs
* **Cost Control**: No per-agent pricing - scale as much as you need
* **Compliance**: Meet specific regulatory requirements
* **Integration**: Deep integration with your existing infrastructure

## Deployment Options

Chatwoot supports multiple deployment methods to fit different infrastructure needs:

### 🐧 Linux VM Deployment

Deploy directly on Ubuntu/Linux virtual machines with our automated installation script.

* **Best for**: Traditional server environments
* **Complexity**: Low to Medium
* **Maintenance**: Manual updates required

### 🐳 Docker Deployment

Use Docker containers for consistent, portable deployments.

* **Best for**: Containerized environments
* **Complexity**: Medium
* **Maintenance**: Easy updates with container pulls

### ☸️ Kubernetes Deployment

Deploy on Kubernetes clusters for enterprise-scale operations.

* **Best for**: Large-scale, high-availability deployments
* **Complexity**: High
* **Maintenance**: Automated with proper CI/CD

### ☁️ Cloud Provider Deployments

One-click deployments on major cloud platforms:

* **AWS**: EC2, ECS, and Marketplace options
* **Azure**: Container Instances and VM deployments
* **DigitalOcean**: Droplets and App Platform
* **Google Cloud**: Compute Engine and Cloud Run
* **Heroku**: Simple one-click deployment

## System Requirements

### Minimum Requirements

* **CPU**: 2 cores
* **RAM**: 4GB
* **Storage**: 20GB SSD
* **OS**: Ubuntu 20.04+ or compatible Linux distribution

### Recommended for Production

* **CPU**: 4+ cores
* **RAM**: 8GB+
* **Storage**: 50GB+ SSD
* **Database**: PostgreSQL 12+
* **Cache**: Redis 6+
* **Reverse Proxy**: Nginx or similar

## What You'll Need

Before starting your Chatwoot installation, ensure you have:

### Technical Requirements

* [ ] Server or cloud instance meeting minimum requirements
* [ ] Domain name (recommended for production)
* [ ] SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt recommended)
* [ ] SMTP server for email notifications

### Access Requirements

* [ ] SSH access to your server
* [ ] Root or sudo privileges
* [ ] Firewall configuration access

### Optional but Recommended

* [ ] Object storage (AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, etc.)
* [ ] CDN for static assets
* [ ] Monitoring tools (APM, logging)
* [ ] Backup solution

## Security Considerations

When self-hosting Chatwoot, consider these security aspects:

* **Regular Updates**: Keep Chatwoot and system packages updated
* **Firewall Configuration**: Only expose necessary ports
* **SSL/TLS**: Always use HTTPS in production
* **Database Security**: Secure PostgreSQL with strong passwords
* **Backup Encryption**: Encrypt sensitive backup data
* **Access Control**: Implement proper user access controls

## Getting Started

Ready to deploy Chatwoot? Choose your preferred deployment method:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quick Start with Docker" icon="docker" href="/self-hosted/deployment/docker">
    Get up and running quickly with Docker containers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux VM Installation" icon="server" href="/self-hosted/deployment/linux-vm">
    Traditional server deployment with our automated script
  </Card>

  <Card title="Kubernetes Deployment" icon="dharmachakra" href="/self-hosted/deployment/helm-chart">
    Enterprise-scale deployment on Kubernetes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cloud Providers" icon="cloud" href="/self-hosted/deployment/aws">
    One-click deployments on major cloud platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Community and Support

* **Documentation**: Comprehensive guides and API references
* **GitHub**: [Source code and issue tracking](https://github.com/chatwoot/chatwoot)
* **Discord**: [Community chat and support](https://discord.gg/cJXdrwS)
* **Forum**: [Community discussions and Q\&A](https://github.com/chatwoot/chatwoot/discussions)