🚀 How to Deploy Cosmos Cloud on Ubuntu VPS

This article provides a guide to deploy Cosmos Cloud on Ubuntu VPS.

What is Cosmos Cloud?

Cosmos Cloud is a self-hosted platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that lets you deploy, manage, and monitor applications (especially Docker-based apps) through a clean web UI. Think of it as a lightweight alternative to tools like Portainer or Coolify, but with built-in reverse proxy, SSL, and app marketplace features.

✅ Requirements

• Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04 VPS
• Root or sudo access
• Minimum:
  • 1 vCPU
  • 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
  • 10 GB disk
• Domain or subdomain (recommended)

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How to Deploy Cosmos Cloud on Ubuntu VPS

To deploy Cosmos Cloud on Ubuntu VPS, follow the steps provided below:

1. Update System

   apt update && apt upgrade -y
   

   Install essentials:

   apt install -y curl wget git ufw
   

2. Install Docker

   Cosmos Cloud runs entirely on Docker.

   curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | bash
   

   Enable and start Docker:

   systemctl enable docker
   systemctl start docker
   

   Verify:

   docker --version
   

3. (Optional) Configure Firewall

   ufw allow OpenSSH
   ufw allow 80
   ufw allow 443
   ufw allow 4242
   ufw enable
   

4. Deploy Cosmos Cloud

   Run the official install command:

   curl -fsSL https://cosmos-cloud.io/get.sh | sudo -E bash -s
   

   This script will:

   • Pull Cosmos Cloud Docker image
   • Configure reverse proxy
   • Start the Cosmos container
   • Expose UI on port 4242

5. Access Cosmos Dashboard

   

   Open your browser:

   http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:4242
   

   You’ll be prompted to:

   • Create admin account
   • Set password
   • Configure initial settings

   

6. Set Up Domain + SSL (Recommended)

   Inside Cosmos UI:

   1. Go to Settings → Domains
   2. Add your domain (e.g., cosmos.yourdomain.com)
   3. Enable:
      • Reverse proxy
      • Automatic SSL (Let’s Encrypt)

   Point your DNS:

   A record → YOUR_SERVER_IP
   

7. Deploy Your First App

   Cosmos supports Docker Compose apps.

   Example: Deploy Nginx

   1. Go to Apps → Create App
   2. Choose Docker Compose
   3. Paste:

      version: "3"
      services:
        web:
          image: nginx:latest
          ports:
            - "8080:80"
      

   4. Click Deploy

   Access:

   http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8080
   

8. Use Built-in Reverse Proxy

   Instead of exposing ports manually:

   1. Edit your app
   2. Enable HTTP routing
   3. Assign domain:

      app.yourdomain.com
      

   4. Enable SSL

   Now your app is available at:

   https://app.yourdomain.com
   

9. Monitoring & Management

   Cosmos provides:

   • Container logs
   • Resource usage
   • Restart policies
   • One-click updates
   • App marketplace

10. Secure Your Deployment

    Change default port (optional)

    Edit Docker config:

    docker ps
    docker inspect cosmos
    

    Or redeploy with custom port mapping.

    Enable Fail2Ban (recommended)

    apt install fail2ban -y
    

    Regular updates

    docker pull ghcr.io/cosmos-cloud/cosmos:latest
    docker restart cosmos
    

11. Backup Strategy

    Backup volumes:

    docker volume ls
    

    Example:

    docker run --rm -v cosmos_data:/data -v $(pwd):/backup busybox tar czf /backup/cosmos-backup.tar.gz /data
    

⚡ Advanced Tips

Use Cosmos as a full PaaS

You can deploy:

• WordPress
• Node.js apps
• Laravel
• Static sites
• APIs

Multi-app hosting

Cosmos handles:

• Routing
• SSL
• Subdomains
• App isolation

Replace traditional stack

You can avoid:

• Manual Nginx configs
• Certbot setup
• Separate Docker tools

🧩 Troubleshooting

Port already in use

lsof -i :4242

Docker not running

systemctl restart docker

Cannot access UI

Check:

docker logs cosmos

🎯 Summary

Cosmos Cloud turns your Ubuntu VPS into a self-hosted PaaS with:

• One-command install
• Built-in reverse proxy + SSL
• App deployment via Docker Compose
• Clean UI for management

Conclusion

You now know how to deploy Cosmos Cloud on Ubuntu VPS.