Self-host Ghost
- License
- MIT
- GitHub stars
- 55,707, as of 8 Nov 2026
- Latest release
- v6.75.0, as of 8 Nov 2026
- Host needs
- 1GB memory
- Install method
- Ubuntu; Docker (preview)
- One-click template
- Available
- License: MIT.
- Last commit: 8 Nov 2026 06:13 SGT, as of 8 Nov 2026. The repository is not archived.
Requirements
The Ubuntu guide says the "officially recommended production installation requires the following stack":
- "Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04 or Ubuntu 26.04"
- "NGINX (minimum of 1.9.5 for SSL)"
- "A supported version of Node.js"
- "MySQL 8.0 or 8.4"
- "Systemd"
- "A server with at least 1GB memory"
- "A registered domain name"
CPU and disk: not stated.
The Docker method (preview) needs "Docker 20.10.13 or higher installed".
Docker or Docker Compose
The official production guide is How to install Ghost on Ubuntu.
Ghost also documents a Docker install (preview): Ghost Docker install (preview).
Hosting options
A Railway template for Ghost is at railway.com/deploy/ghost, created by Faraz Patankar.
It shows "Total Projects 1342".
The 1GB memory need is above the Railway Free limit of "0.5 GB RAM per service".
Affiliate disclosure: Forkshelf earns a commission if you sign up for Railway through the links marked "Paid link" on this page. This does not change the order or content of any guide here.
To get started, create a Railway account (Paid link).
Backups and updates
Backups: the official guide is How Can I Backup My Site Data?.
Updates: the official guide is How To Update Ghost.
Updates for the Docker method (preview): the official guide is How To Install Ghost With Docker (preview).
Alternatives
Ghost is listed on open-source alternatives to Contentful.