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To prepare a server for CloudPanel, use a virtual machine with a currently supported Ubuntu or Debian image, root SSH access, and enough resources; back up anything you need before using your provider’s rebuild or reimage action. Reimaging may erase the disk. Then follow CloudPanel’s current installation guide and verify its published checksum before running the installer.

How do I reimage my server for CloudPanel?

Use this sequence to reduce the risk of losing data or choosing an unsupported installation target. Provider controls and retention rules differ, so check the provider’s current instructions for the specific server before confirming a rebuild.

  1. Confirm the server is a virtual machine. CloudPanel supports virtual machines, not Linux containers such as LXC, LXD, or OpenVZ. Make sure you have root access over SSH and can select an eligible operating-system image. CloudPanel’s technology stack documentation describes the supported target type; its generic installation guide requires an empty server and root access.
  2. Check what the provider’s rebuild action will erase or retain. Treat reimaging as potentially destructive. Back up or copy off site files, databases, certificates, configuration, and any other data you will need. For example, DigitalOcean says rebuilding a Droplet wipes its disk and replaces it with the selected image; without backups, snapshots, or local copies, that data is irretrievable. That warning is specific to DigitalOcean Droplets, not a guarantee about every provider. Read your provider’s own rebuild instructions before proceeding. DigitalOcean’s Droplet rebuild guide was last verified on 2026-08-25.
  3. Select a supported image and adequate resources. Check the current CloudPanel operating-system list and minimum requirements below. If the provider’s image catalog or setup page conflicts with CloudPanel’s current documentation, verify both before rebuilding.
  4. Connect as root and install from CloudPanel’s current guide. The documented process updates packages, installs prerequisites, downloads the installer, checks its SHA-256 checksum, and runs it with a database engine choice. Copy the live command and checksum directly from the official installation page; these can change.

Which OS should I install before installing CloudPanel?

CloudPanel’s current requirements page lists these supported images:

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  • Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute Raccoon), 24.04 (Noble Numbat), or 22.04 (Jammy Jellyfish)
  • Debian 13 (Trixie) or Debian 12 (Bookworm)

The listed minimums are x86 or ARM64 architecture, one core, 2 GB of RAM, and 10 GB of disk. These are CloudPanel’s product requirements, not independent performance recommendations.

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Some provider-specific CloudPanel setup pages still mention Debian 11. The current requirements and generic installer pages list Debian 12 and 13 instead, so use those current pages when choosing an image. For a provider-specific example, CloudPanel’s Hetzner installer guide covers provisioning steps; check its live instructions alongside the requirements page.

Will reimaging my server delete my files?

It may. Assume files on the server could be erased unless the provider’s instructions for that exact rebuild action clearly say otherwise. DigitalOcean explicitly says its Droplet rebuild wipes the disk. Other providers may handle attached storage, snapshots, IP addresses, SSH keys, credentials, or firewall settings differently; do not assume those are preserved. Confirm the impact with the provider and make an off-server backup of anything you need before clicking the final confirmation.

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What should I expect from the CloudPanel installer?

CloudPanel’s generic installation guide describes an empty server, root SSH access, package updates and prerequisites, and a downloaded installer script with a SHA-256 checksum. It lists MySQL 8.4, MariaDB 12.3, and MariaDB 11.8 as database engine choices. Follow the current page’s exact commands and checksum rather than reusing a saved command, because the installer instructions may change.

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The reviewed documentation does not establish a universal reimage or installation duration. Ask your provider about rebuild timing and retained resources, and consult CloudPanel’s live guide for installation steps.

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Can I install CloudPanel on a container?

No. CloudPanel documents support for virtual machines, not Linux containers such as LXC, LXD, or OpenVZ. Choose a VM with a supported image and root SSH access instead.

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