Prepare a server
Kumoto deploys to VPS instances and servers that you provide. Start with a clean server: Kumoto handles the connection, private networking, and the setup needed to deploy your project.
Supported operating systems
Kumoto currently supports:
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
Use a fresh installation of one of these releases. Starting from a clean VPS gives Kumoto a predictable base and avoids conflicts with software or configuration left by an earlier deployment setup.
Recommended starting size
For a first project, we recommend a clean VPS with at least 512 MB RAM. This is enough to connect the server and begin exploring Kumoto with a small workload.
Your application, database, cache, and expected traffic may require more capacity. Review the server’s CPU, memory, disk, and network telemetry as your workload grows, then resize or add servers when appropriate.
What you need
Before connecting the server, make sure you have:
- SSH access to the VPS;
- permission to run the generated setup command with
sudo; and - outbound internet access during setup.
The server can run with any provider you choose. You remain responsible for the provider account, billing, and the server itself.
Connect the server
- In Servers, select Add server and give the machine a recognizable name.
- Open the server’s setup screen.
- Connect to the machine over SSH.
- Run the generated command exactly as shown.
ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP_ADDRESS
curl -fsSL "YOUR_GENERATED_JOIN_URL" | sudo bash
The generated URL is specific to that server and expires after one hour. Treat it as sensitive. If it expires before you finish, reload the setup screen to obtain a new command.
Private networking
Kumoto uses Tailscale or Headscale to create a private network for managed VPS instances. This gives Kumoto a secure path to communicate with your server without requiring you to expose additional management services publicly.
Kumoto configures the private-network connection as part of server setup when it is available for your account. You do not need to manually install or configure Tailscale or Headscale before connecting a server.
After setup
Kumoto creates the account and configuration it needs to manage the server. When the connection is complete, the server appears in the dashboard and can be selected as a target for project components.
Use the server overview to:
- confirm that the server is connected;
- see which project components are assigned to it; and
- monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
Start with a small, non-critical project. It is the easiest way to become familiar with project drafts and deployment logs before moving a production workload.