How setup works
From a rented server to your first app. Mostly done by your AI.
You do the parts that need you: rent the server, point the domain, and say what you want. Your agent follows the public guide for everything else and tells you what it did.
What you need
- Serverx86_64, Ubuntu or Debian 12
- Memory4 GB recommended
- Free disk10 GiB or more
- Domain2 DNS records: domain and *.domain (DNS only)
- Emailfor certificate notices
- Open ports80, 443, 5671
- IncludedDocker, PostgreSQL, Traefik
The steps
Who does what, and how long it took
Times are from fresh-server test runs on 2 vCPU, 4 GB machines in November 2026. Server install to working server: 2-3 minutes in total.
- 10 min1
Rent a server you
Any provider. About €7 a month for the size we test on.
- 5 min2
Point your domain you
Add two A records to the server's IP, DNS only (no proxy): your domain and *.your-domain. That is enough.
- about 94 s3
Install Automaton your AI
You give it SSH as root, the domain and an email for certificate notices. It checks DNS, installs Docker, downloads a verified release and starts the stack.
- under 1 min4
Create the administrator your AI
It signs the CLI in with a password you never see. Last, you get a one-time link, valid once for 30 minutes: open it, choose your password and sign in to Studio. If it expired, the agent makes another.
- about 30 s5
Add a Runner your AI
The Runner runs your apps. It starts on the same machine.
- minutes6
Build the first app your AI
Describe it. It is created, validated, deployed, published and given its own address.
- later7
Invite people and keep it fresh you
Invite your team in Studio. Ask your agent to update the server when a new release is out: it backs up, updates and checks health.
Prefer to type it yourself?
The installation guide has every command, with what each one does.