Communication
Self-host Conduit on a VPS
A lightweight Matrix homeserver in Rust.
A small, fast Matrix homeserver that runs on minimal resources while federating normally.
Why self-host Conduit?
Conduit makes running your own Matrix server realistic on a tiny VPS, unlike heavier Synapse.
How to install Conduit
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Single Rust binary + RocksDB.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give Conduit its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Conduit and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep Conduit patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Conduit need?
- Plan on 512 MB–1 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Conduit run on?
- Single Rust binary + RocksDB.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Conduit plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Matrix/Synapse, Dendrite, Rocket.Chat — browse all app guides.