Coolify is an open-source, self-hostable platform-as-a-service (PaaS), an alternative to Heroku, Netlify, and Vercel. It deploys applications from a Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Gitea) into Docker containers. It builds with Nixpacks or a Dockerfile/Docker Compose file, provides automatic HTTPS via Traefik and Let's Encrypt, and offers one-click databases inside Coolify (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, MariaDB). These databases are features of Coolify, not Contabo products.

What can I deploy with Coolify?

Pretty much anything your team builds or uses, including:

• Web applications: Node.js, Python, PHP, Go, Ruby, Rust, Java, static sites, and more
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis, and others
• Open-source tools: Examples include n8n, Supabase, Ghost, WordPress, Uptime Kuma, MinIO, Grafana, and Plausible Analytics
• Background jobs: Scheduled tasks, queue workers, and automation processes
• Internal tools: Private dashboards, admin panels, and internal services
• Any Dockerfile: If it can run in a container, it can run on Coolify

How it works

Coolify connects to your server and your code repository. When you push changes, it can build and deploy automatically. It can also help with domains and HTTPS/SSL certificates, and offers an API to trigger deployments from other tools. 

• Coolify is not available as a 1-Click image or 1-Click App at Contabo. It cannot be selected during server setup or reinstallation.
• Coolify can only be self-hosted. The customer installs it manually on their own VPS or VDS with the official install script.
• Coolify is third-party open-source software (Apache 2.0). Contabo provides the server, and the customer installs and manages Coolify.

Requirements

• A Contabo VPS or VDS with a Linux OS and root access
• At least 4 GB RAM for small projects; 8 GB RAM or more and 4 vCPU for production workloads with several apps and databases
• SSD or NVMe storage
• Docker must not be installed via snap. If it is, remove it first. The install script sets up Docker itself.

For current plans and pricing, refer customers to contabo.com/en/pricing/.

How to install Coolify

1. Connect to your server via SSH as root.
2. Run the official install script:
   curl -fsSL https://cdn.coollabs.io/coolify/install.sh | sudo bash
3. When it finishes, open http://your-server-ip:8000 in a browser.
4. Create your admin account immediately. Until an account exists, the registration page is open to anyone, and whoever registers first gets full control.

Security tip: the script runs as root. You can download it first, review it, and then run it.

Deploying your first application

1. Connect a Git provider.
2. Create a new resource and select your repository.
3. Choose Nixpacks (auto-detect) or a Dockerfile/Compose file.
4. Set your domain.
5. Deploy.

FAQ

Can I select Coolify as a 1-Click image or App when ordering or reinstalling my server?
No. Coolify is not offered as a 1-Click image or App. Install it manually using the steps above.

Can I add Coolify to a VPS I already own?
Yes. Run the install script on your existing server. No reinstall is needed, provided the requirements above are met.

Is Coolify free?
Yes, Coolify is free and open source. You only pay for your Contabo server. A separate paid Coolify Cloud option exists from Coolify, not Contabo.

Which RAM size do I need?
4 GB for personal projects; 8 GB or more plus 4 vCPU for production.

Does Coolify support GitHub and GitLab?
Yes, also Bitbucket and Gitea. GitHub has the smoothest integration.

The install failed. What should I check?
Make sure you are running as root and Docker was not installed via snap. For other errors, see the Coolify documentation.