Table Of Contents

This book was written for newcomers who want to take a raw VPS and turn it into a **fully running
knowledge base**. You don’t need to be a Docker guru or a Linux wizard — every command and
config you’ll see here was tested on a **Hostinger KVM 2 VPS running Ubuntu 24**. The goal of this
guide is not just to show you *what* to type, but also to explain *why* we type it, so you walk away
with real confidence in managing your own stack.

Chapter 1 Introduction – What BookStack is and why we’re using Docker + Traefik.
Chapter 2 Prerequisites – VPS, domain, email, and tools you’ll need.
[Server Setup](../server-setup)
[Traefik Reverse Proxy](../traefik-reverse-proxy)
[BookStack Installation](../bookstack-installation)
[Domain & DNS Setup](../domain-dns-setup)
[Email Integration](../email-integration)
[First Login & Customization](../first-login)
[Troubleshooting](../troubleshooting)
[Maintenance & Updates](../maintenance)
[Conclusion](../conclusion)
[Appendices](../appendices)
You can read it straight through as a tutorial, or jump directly to the troubleshooting or update
chapters when you need quick answers.
3. **Server Setup** – Updating Ubuntu, installing Docker, and securing your VPS.
Table Of Contents
Chapters
Tip: Treat this book like a reference manual.
4. **Traefik Reverse Proxy** – Configuring SSL with Let’s Encrypt and automatic HTTPS.
5. **BookStack Installation** – Setting up the app and database with Docker Compose.
6. **Domain & DNS Setup** – Pointing your domain to your VPS.
7. **Email Integration** – Enabling password resets and notifications via SMTP.
8. **First Login & Customization** – Logging in, setting your admin, and branding your site.
9. **Troubleshooting** – Fixing common issues like DB errors or missing APP_KEY.
10. **Maintenance & Updates** – How to keep BookStack secure and updated.
11. **Conclusion** – Wrapping up and next steps for scaling your knowledge base.