Self-hosting
Brainitive is open source and runs on your own server — free for organizations under €2 million annual revenue (see Licence). This section explains how to install it, configure it, keep it up to date and keep your data safe.
Don't want to run a server?
Brainitive Cloud is the same software, hosted and updated for you.
What you need
| Server | Linux with 2 GB RAM (4 GB for teams above about 50 people) and 10 GB of disk plus room for uploads |
| PHP | 8.4 (the version the Docker image ships; 8.2 is the minimum) |
| Database | PostgreSQL. Brainitive is built and tested on PostgreSQL only. The Docker setup uses PostgreSQL 16 |
| Node.js | 22, to build the frontend and to run the realtime server for live features |
| An SMTP account for invitations, password resets and notifications | |
| Domain + HTTPS | A domain name pointing to your server. HTTPS is needed for the browser extension, web push and secure cookies |
With Docker you don't install PHP, Node.js or PostgreSQL yourself. The image contains everything.
Two ways to install
- Docker (recommended). Download two files, set a password, run
docker compose up -d. No build, no PHP setup. Updates are onedocker compose pull. - Manual install. Ubuntu, nginx, PHP-FPM and PostgreSQL set up by hand. Choose this if you already run PHP apps this way or can't use Docker.
What runs
A complete Brainitive installation is four processes plus the database:
| Process | What it does | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Web app | Serves pages and the API (PHP) | Yes |
| Queue worker | Sends emails and notifications, builds the search index, runs imports and exports in the background | Yes |
| Scheduler | Runs timed tasks every minute: reminders, recurring issues, helpdesk mailboxes, SLA checks, clean-ups | Yes |
| Realtime server | A small Node.js server for live co-editing and live updates (the bell, presence, typing) | Optional. Without it, Brainitive still works but without live features |
The Docker setup starts all four for you, plus PostgreSQL and Redis. In a manual install you set up each one. See Queue worker and scheduler and Realtime server.
Pages in this section
- Docker: the quick start with the published image, first admin account, HTTPS, updates.
- Manual install: Ubuntu, nginx, PHP-FPM, PostgreSQL step by step.
- Configuration: every environment variable, grouped, with defaults.
- Realtime server: live co-editing and live channels, systemd and nginx setup.
- Email: SMTP settings, which emails Brainitive sends, testing, SPF and DKIM.
- Queue worker and scheduler: why both are required and what they run.
- Search: full-text search on PostgreSQL and how to rebuild the index.
- Upgrading: update a Docker or manual installation safely.
- Backups: what to back up, how to restore, and project export.
- Troubleshooting: common problems and their fixes.
After installing, open avatar menu → Instance admin to manage users and settings. See the Instance admin guide. Social logins and calendars are covered under Integrations.