How to Install GoToSocial

Updated

GoToSocial can be installed in several ways, and the right choice depends on your platform and how much control you want over the deployment. The official documentation lists these installation paths: bare metal, container (Docker), binary release (.tar.gz), from source, and third-party packaging. Supported platforms include 64-bit BSDs and 32-bit OpenBSD, alongside the usual Linux and container targets. Releases come in two channels — stable releases and snapshot releases — and you should pick one deliberately before you start.

Installation Options at a Glance

Method Best for What you need to know
Bare metal Running directly on a host OS you manage Documented as its own installation path; you handle the service, dependencies, and upgrades yourself
Container (Docker) Isolated, reproducible deployments Docker is a first-class documented option
Binary release (.tar.gz) Quick setup without a build toolchain Download and unpack rather than compile
From source Custom builds or platforms without packaged binaries Requires a working build environment
Third-party packaging Using your distro's or a community's packaging Maintained outside the core docs; check what version it tracks

The documentation also covers deployment considerations and reverse proxy setup (NGINX, Apache HTTP Server, and Caddy 2 are all documented, including WebSocket handling), which you will need regardless of which install method you choose.

Stable vs. Snapshot Releases

GoToSocial publishes two release channels:

  • Stable Releases — the default choice for a running instance.
  • Snapshot Releases — newer, less settled builds.

Decide which channel you are tracking before installing, because it affects how you upgrade later. If you want predictable behavior, stay on stable; if you need a recent change, snapshots exist for that purpose.

Before You Install

A few things apply across all methods:

  • Pick your platform. The docs explicitly list 64-bit BSDs and 32-bit OpenBSD among supported platforms, so confirm yours is covered before choosing a method.
  • Plan for a reverse proxy. The installation section includes a dedicated reverse proxy chapter with NGINX, Apache, and Caddy 2 configurations, plus WebSocket notes.
  • Plan your configuration. After installation you will work through the configuration overview, covering the database, instance settings, accounts, media storage, statuses, TLS, OIDC, email (SMTP), syslog, and HTTP client/server options.
  • Create users. Account creation is a separate documented step after the instance is running.

Where to Go Next

Once installed, the documentation continues into configuration, then into admin topics such as the admin settings panel, sign-ups, federation modes, domain blocks and limits, backup and restore, media and post caching/pruning, spam filtering, database maintenance, themes, and running GoToSocial on slow hardware. If you are still deciding whether GoToSocial is the right software for you, the docs also include an "Alternatives to GoToSocial" section and a "Known Issues" page worth reading before you commit.