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No—you do not need to reimage a server just to install PaperClip. Its official guide describes installing on a Linux VPS; a fresh VPS is one option, while wiping an existing server is a choice for readers who want a clean operating-system baseline. If the machine contains data or services you need, do not reimage it until you have identified what must be preserved. PaperClip’s installation documentation does not include a complete backup-and-restore procedure.
Should you reimage your existing server?
Reimaging replaces the server’s operating system and can remove its existing data, configuration, and services. PaperClip’s documented VPS installation path does not make that step a prerequisite. Decide based on the server’s current use and the isolation you want:
- Keep the existing server: This may suit a machine that already runs Linux and has enough capacity, provided you can install the required software without disrupting existing workloads.
- Provision a new VPS: This gives PaperClip a separate environment without wiping or sharing the existing machine.
- Reimage an existing server: Consider this only if you specifically want a clean OS baseline and have established what needs to be retained. The PaperClip guide does not explain how to back up or restore an existing server.
Before wiping anything, identify required files, application data, configuration, credentials, and other services, then consult the relevant provider and software documentation for a suitable recovery plan.
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What server does a self-hosted installation need?
PaperClip’s installation guide says a Linux VPS with 1 vCPU and 2 GB of RAM is enough to get started, and uses Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS as reference distributions. Treat those specifications as a starter recommendation, not a guarantee for every workload. The guide names DigitalOcean, AWS EC2, Google Cloud Compute Engine, Hetzner, Linode, and Vultr as provider examples; it does not establish comparative prices or performance. See the PaperClip installation guide.
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For managed installation, current official references specify Node.js 24.11 or newer; the VPS guide also uses pnpm as package tooling. Check the current instructions before installing, since commands and requirements can change. In particular, do not rely on an inconsistent NodeSource setup command shown in indexed guide text that references a 20.x setup script: the stated runtime requirement in the current references is Node.js 24.11 or newer. Consult the repository installation guide and CLI installation guide.
How to prepare a public VPS for PaperClip
- Provision or choose a Linux server. For a separate clean environment, create a new VPS. If using an existing server, first confirm it can meet the documented starter baseline and that PaperClip will not interfere with other workloads.
- Set up a public hostname, if needed. Create a DNS A record pointing the hostname to the server’s public IPv4 address. Wait until the record resolves before requesting a TLS certificate.
- Configure inbound network access. The PaperClip guide lists ports 22, 80, and 443 for SSH, HTTP, and HTTPS. Do not expose PaperClip’s port 3100 directly to the internet; keep the application behind a reverse proxy for the documented public setup.
- Install the supported runtime and package tooling. Follow the current PaperClip managed-install instructions for Node.js 24.11 or newer and pnpm, rather than copying a potentially inconsistent setup command from indexed text.
- Use a dedicated non-root service account. The VPS instructions use a dedicated non-root user. Follow the guide’s current steps for creating that account and installing PaperClip under it.
- Set up the persistent service. Use the managed-install and service instructions for your platform. The repository guide covers installation, updates, rollback, and service commands; service-manager behavior differs by platform.
For the documented network and deployment details, follow the official VPS installation guide and managed-install documentation. A service manager may use a different PATH or runtime from your interactive shell, so follow the platform-specific service guidance rather than assuming the shell environment carries over.
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Can you install PaperClip locally instead?
Yes. PaperClip also documents a local installation path for personal use, distinct from a public, persistent VPS deployment. The CLI guide covers onboarding and running it locally. For local development, PaperClip’s setup documentation says the normal workflow uses embedded PostgreSQL, so a separate PostgreSQL server is not needed for that workflow. See CLI installation and local development setup.
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Which path should you choose?
- Choose a new VPS if you want an isolated environment and do not want to disturb an existing server.
- Use the existing server without reimaging if its OS and capacity are suitable and you can safely install PaperClip alongside current services.
- Reimage only by choice when you want to replace the existing OS and have a separate, verified plan for anything you need to retain.
- Choose local installation for personal use on your own computer rather than a public server deployment.
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