Matrix (An open network for secure, decentralized communication) server setup using Ansible and Docker

🎯 Purpose

This Ansible playbook is meant to help you run your own Matrix homeserver, along with the various services related to that.

That is, it lets you join the Matrix network using your own @<username>:example.com identifier, all hosted on your own server (see prerequisites).

We run all supported services in Docker containers (see the container images we use), which lets us have a predictable and up-to-date setup, across multiple supported distros (see prerequisites) and architectures (x86/amd64 being recommended).

Installation (upgrades) and some maintenance tasks are automated using Ansible (see our Ansible guide).

☁ Self-hosting or Managed / SaaS

This Ansible playbook tries to make self-hosting and maintaining a Matrix server fairly easy (see Getting started). Still, running any service smoothly requires knowledge, time and effort.

If you like the FOSS spirit of this Ansible playbook, but prefer to put the responsibility on someone else, you can also get a managed Matrix server from etke.cc (both hosting and on-premises) - a service built on top of this Ansible playbook but with additional components and services which all help you run a Matrix server with ease. Be advised that etke.cc operates on a subscription-based approach and there is no "just set up my server once and be done with it" option.

🚀 Getting started

We have detailed documentation in the docs/ directory - see the Table of Contents in the documentation README.

While the list of supported services and documentation is very extensive, you don't need to read through everything. We recommend:

• Starting with the basics. You can always add/remove or tweak services later on.

• Following our installation guide. There are two guides available for beginners and advanced users:

  • ⚡ Quick start (for beginners): this is recommended for those who do not have an existing Matrix server and want to start quickly with "opinionated defaults".

  • Full installation guide (for advanced users): if you need to import an existing Matrix server's data into the new server or want to learn more while setting up the server, follow this guide by starting with the Prerequisites documentation page.

If you experience an issue on configuring the playbook, setting up your server, maintaining services on it, etc., please take a look at our FAQ. If you cannot find an answer to your question, feel free to ask for help and support.

✔ Supported services

Using this playbook, you can get the following list of services configured on your server. Basically, this playbook aims to get you up-and-running with all the necessities around Matrix, without you having to do anything else.

Notes:

• The list below is exhaustive. It includes optional or even some advanced components that you will most likely not need. Sticking with the defaults (which install a subset of the above components) is the best choice, especially for a new installation. You can always re-run the playbook later to add or remove components.

• Deprecated or unmaintained services are not listed. You can find documentations for them here.

Homeserver

The homeserver is the backbone of your Matrix system. Choose one from the following list.

Clients

Web clients for Matrix that you can host on your own domains.

Server Components

Services that run on the server to make the various parts of your installation work.

Authentication

Extend and modify how users are authenticated on your homeserver.

File Storage

Use alternative file storage to the default media_store folder.

Bridges

Bridges can be used to connect your Matrix installation with third-party communication networks.

Bots

Bots provide various additional functionality to your installation.

Administration

Services that help you in administrating and monitoring your Matrix installation.

Misc

Various services that don't fit any other categories.

🆕 Changes

This playbook evolves over time, sometimes with backward-incompatible changes.

When updating the playbook, refer to the changelog to catch up with what's new.

🆘 Support

• Matrix room: #matrix-docker-ansible-deploy:devture.com

• IRC channel: #matrix-docker-ansible-deploy on the Libera Chat IRC network (irc.libera.chat:6697)

• GitHub issues: spantaleev/matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/issues

🤝 Related

You may also be interested in mash-playbook - another Ansible playbook for self-hosting non-Matrix services (see its List of supported services).

mash-playbook also makes use of Traefik as its reverse-proxy, so with minor interoperability adjustments, you can make matrix-docker-ansible-deploy and mash-playbook co-exist and host Matrix and non-Matrix services on the same server.