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Servestead

Start With Servestead

The recommended Servestead path is a short, reviewed workflow in your browser. You provide the server and repository details; Servestead shows the complete plan before it prepares files or opens an SSH connection.

Before You Begin

Section titled “Before You Begin”

Have the local, server, SSH, domain, and DNS requirements ready, then build and launch Servestead Web.

Choose a Starting Point

Section titled “Choose a Starting Point”

Connect an existing VPS

You already have a fresh Ubuntu server, its public address, and SSH key access. This is the clearest first run.

Connect an existing VPS →

Provision with DigitalOcean

Create a billable Droplet profile from Profiles, or use the Terminal UI for guided catalog and price selection.

Choose a provisioning path →

Servestead Setup Workbench with five steps and existing VPS, DigitalOcean, and saved-profile choices
The Setup Workbench makes the five-step sequence visible before any server work begins.

The Browser Workflow

Section titled “The Browser Workflow”
  1. Open Setup and choose Connect existing VPS, or resume a saved profile.
  2. Enter the profile name, server address, SSH key path, base domain, and certificate email.
  3. Choose whether Servestead should create a local repository, use an existing checkout, or clone GitHub.
  4. Read Review and confirm. Repository preparation and SSH execution have not started yet.
  5. Select Run after review and follow the live status and logs.
  6. Open Profiles after completion to verify setup, GitOps, recent runs, and diagnostics.

Expected Result

Section titled “Expected Result”

The active profile reports a healthy or completed setup state, the configuration repository has a clear Git status, and the Command Center names the next useful action.

Terminal Alternatives

Section titled “Terminal Alternatives”

Use servestead setup for the full-screen Terminal UI, including guided DigitalOcean catalog selection. Use servestead setup --ip <address> for a direct interactive run, or add --yes only when every required value is supplied for automation. See Terminal UI and CLI commands.