▶️VPS with Docker

Webstudio CLI Docker Deployment on a VPS (Step by Step)

This guide explains how to build a Webstudio project locally using the Docker template and deploy it on an Ubuntu VPS using Docker, Nginx as a reverse proxy, and Let’s Encrypt SSL.

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1. Build the Website Locally

On your local machine, inside your Webstudio project:

webstudio build --template docker

This generates a Docker-ready build that runs a Node.js server (React Router) inside a container.

You should end up with a folder containing at least:

• Dockerfile

• package.json

• build/

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2. Prepare the VPS (Ubuntu)

Connect to your VPS via SSH:

ssh user@VPS_IP

Update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Docker:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sudo sh
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker

(Optional) Allow running Docker without sudo:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
logout

Reconnect via SSH.

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3. Upload the Build to the VPS

From your local machine:

scp -r ./example-site user@VPS_IP:/home/user/example-site

On the VPS:

cd ~/example-site

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4. Build the Docker Image on the VPS

docker build -t webstudio-site .

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5. Run the Webstudio Container

The Webstudio Docker template runs a Node.js server on port 3000.

docker run -d \
  --name webstudio \
  -p 3000:3000 \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  webstudio-site

Verify locally on the VPS:

curl http://localhost:3000

If HTML is returned, the container works correctly.

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6. Install Nginx on the VPS

Nginx will act as a reverse proxy and handle ports 80 and 443.

sudo apt install -y nginx
sudo systemctl enable nginx
sudo systemctl start nginx

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7. Configure Nginx Reverse Proxy

Create a new site configuration:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/example-site

Paste the following configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example-site.tld;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:3000;
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Enable the site:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/example-site /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

Test in the browser:

http://example-site.tld

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8. Install Let’s Encrypt SSL (Certbot)

Install Certbot and the Nginx plugin:

sudo apt install -y certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Request the SSL certificate:

sudo certbot --nginx -d example-site.tld

Choose the option to redirect HTTP to HTTPS.

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9. Verify SSL and Auto-Renewal

Access the site:

https://example-site.tld

Test renewal:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

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10. Updating the Website

When you need to update the site:

1. Rebuild locally:

   webstudio build --template docker

2. Upload the updated files to the VPS

3. Rebuild and restart the container:

   docker stop webstudio
   docker rm webstudio
   docker build -t webstudio-site .
   docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --restart unless-stopped webstudio-site

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Final Architecture

• Webstudio runs as a Node.js app inside Docker (port 3000)

• Nginx listens on ports 80 and 443

• Nginx proxies requests to Docker

• Let’s Encrypt provides SSL

This setup is simple, stable, and production-ready.

Related

• CLI – Export and build your project using the command line

• Digital Ocean with Coolify – Simplified Docker deployment using Coolify

• Hetzner with Coolify – Deploy to Hetzner using Coolify

• AWS with Flightcontrol – Deploy to AWS using Flightcontrol

• Publishing and custom domains – Set up custom domains for your site