Lichen Docker Compose Deployment#

Deploy lichen to any VPS with Docker.

Quick start#

1. Copy this directory to your server
2. Create .env from the example:

   cp .env.example .env
   # edit .env — set DOMAIN and ADMIN_PASSWORD
   

3. Point your domain's DNS A record to the server IP
4. Start:

   docker compose up -d
   

5. Caddy automatically obtains a TLS certificate via Let's Encrypt

Connect the CLI#

lm auth login --server https://your-domain.com --password
lm sites list

Custom binary (optional)#

To run a custom-built lichen-server instead of the image default:

mkdir -p bin
# build locally and copy, or scp from your dev machine:
scp your-machine:path/to/target/release/lichen-server bin/
docker compose restart app

The entrypoint checks for bin/lichen-server and uses it if present. Remove the file and restart to revert to the standard image.

Files#

• docker-compose.yml — service definitions (app + caddy)
• entrypoint.sh — startup script (admin user, custom binary check)
• Caddyfile — HTTPS with on-demand TLS via Let's Encrypt
• .env.example — configuration template
• bin/ — drop a custom lichen-server binary here (gitignored)