First steps on a new server

Work through this list once, right after installing Hostctl. Each step takes a few minutes and links to the article with the details. Server → Overview keeps a Needs attention list as you go: anything left undone that matters, such as backups being off or the firewall being off, shows up there.

1. Install the features you need

Open Server → System → Features and press Install on what your customers will use: typically Email Server, a database server, FTP Server, WordPress Toolkit and Malware Scanning. Each install asks to confirm, then shows its progress in a log. Customers see FTP accounts and WordPress in their menu only once those are installed.

See Installing features and keeping server software current.

2. Set the server's mail hostname

Mail apps and other mail servers expect a name with a trusted certificate, such as mail.example.com.

1. Create an A (and AAAA, if the server has IPv6) record for that name pointing at the server.
2. Open Server → Services → Mail delivery & DNS and find Mail certificates.
3. Enter the name under Server mail hostname and press Save and request.

See Setting up the mail server.

3. Turn on the firewall

Open Server → Security → Firewall, check the list of open ports, and press Turn on. Then press Keep these rules within 90 seconds, or the change undoes itself.

See Controlling what can reach your server.

4. Check backups and add an off-site copy

A new server backs up site files and databases every night to a folder on the server itself, keeping 3 days. That doesn't help if the server is lost, and mailboxes aren't included.

Open Server → Backups & migration → Schedule & destinations:

1. Tick Mailboxes under What to include.
2. On Remote (S3), tick Enable S3-compatible remote backup and fill in your bucket.
3. Press Save settings, then Run Backup Now to test it.

See Backing up and restoring.

5. Create your plans

Every account starts on the Unlimited plan. To sell different sizes, open Server → Customers → Plans, press New plan, and set the limits and features for each. Use Use for new accounts on the plan new customers should get.

See Setting up hosting plans.

6. Invite your first customer

Open Server → Customers → Accounts, press Invite User, and enter their name and email. Choose Client or Reseller under Account type, then press Send Invite. They get an email with a sign-in link, which works for 15 minutes. If it has expired, they can press Log in with email on the sign-in page for a new one.

If the server can't send email yet, open the account's Details and press Get login link instead. The link works once, within 15 minutes.

See Managing customer accounts.

7. Check for updates

Open Server → System → Updates. If a new version is offered, press Update now. Hostctl backs up its own database before installing.

See Keeping Hostctl up to date.