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Guides

Self-hosting a server

Self-hosting has a reputation for being painful. LynxDock’s Guided Server Setup is a calm first-run wizard that creates a local server without touching config files or terminal commands. It generates a real config with SQLite, local uploads, a random session secret, and safe self-hosting defaults.

1. Choose a purpose

Decide how the server will be used - a local test, a LAN party, or friends over the internet. This sets sensible defaults for the rest of the wizard.

2. Server basics

  • Server name - a friendly name (for example Jared’s LynxDock).
  • Admin password - sets the administrator account for the server.
  • Registration - choose Invite only, open, or closed registration.
  • Max users - cap the number of accounts (defaults are provided).

3. Network and storage

  • Port - the port the server listens on (defaults to 8080).
  • Data folder - where the SQLite database and uploads are stored. The wizard picks a safe default location.

4. Call & screen-share relay

Configure how calls connect. The basic mode uses STUN only, which works for most setups. For more reliable calls and screen sharing across restrictive networks, add a TURN relay.

5. Save and start

Save the server config, then start the server. You can save a draft at any point and come back later - nothing is committed until you choose to generate and launch. Once running, connect to it from any client using its address (for example http://localhost:8080).

Your data, your server

Everything the server stores lives on infrastructure you control. Accounts, rooms, history, and uploads stay with the server - LynxDock LLC has no access to self-hosted server contents.

Next: calls & communities.