Cerb on Debian 12 – Enterprise Workflow and Messaging Automation on a Stable Linux Base
Cerb is a robust, self-hosted web application designed to unify team inbox management, workflow automation, customer support, and process orchestration. Built with PHP and MySQL, it is a developer-friendly, extensible platform used by startups, enterprises, and organizations needing data sovereignty and complete customization.
Debian 12 offers an ideal environment for Cerb due to its long-term stability, secure default configuration, and compatibility with modern versions of PHP and MySQL.
Key Features of Cerb
- Shared Inbox Management
Handle high volumes of support and team emails with collision prevention, filtering, and real-time updates. - Automation with Bots (CerbBot)
Visual workflows and scripted behaviors using Cerb’s DSL for advanced automation without external tooling. - Records & Relationships
Create and extend data models like organizations, tasks, projects, and people with custom fields and ACLs. - Workspaces & Dashboards
Custom UI layouts for different teams, roles, or business functions. - API-first design
RESTful endpoints for external integrations and automation tools.
Compatibility with Debian 12
| Component | Recommended Version | Available in Debian 12? |
|---|---|---|
| PHP | 8.1 – 8.3 | Yes (PHP 8.2 by default) |
| MySQL | 8.0+ (preferred) | Yes (MariaDB 10.11 LTS) |
| Web Server | Apache 2.4 or Nginx | Yes |
| Operating System | Debian 12 Bookworm | Yes (LTS supported) |
| SSL | OpenSSL 3.0+ | Yes |
| Task Scheduling | cron or systemd timers | Yes |
Cerb is primarily designed to run on Apache with mod_php or PHP-FPM, both of which are fully supported in Debian 12. The OS’s LTS status ensures security updates until at least 2028.
Cerb Application Stack on Debian 12
Cerb is a PHP web application that interfaces with:
- MySQL/MariaDB as the primary database
- Web server (Apache or Nginx) to serve frontend assets
- PHP-FPM or mod_php for dynamic request handling
- cron or systemd for background tasks and scheduled behaviors
The app stores configuration and state in MySQL, and does not require Redis, Elasticsearch, or other supporting services — though they can be integrated optionally.
Security Benefits on Debian 12
Debian’s emphasis on system security enhances Cerb’s already strict application-layer protections:
- Built-in role-based access control (RBAC)
- Two-Factor Authentication support (TOTP)
- Field-level access restrictions for sensitive data
- API tokens and OAuth2 client integrations
- Debian’s AppArmor can sandbox Cerb and PHP processes
- Automatic log rotation, firewalling, and audit support
Additionally, Cerb can be isolated in LXC/LXD, Docker, or Podman containers without losing functionality.
Use Cases for Cerb on Debian
- Helpdesk and Customer Support: Centralize email support with collision prevention and workflows.
- IT Operations: Trigger responses to events, automate internal ticketing and data triage.
- Marketing Ops: Automate newsletter workflows and partner communication pipelines.
- Enterprise Process Automation: Replace spreadsheets and siloed workflows with traceable, unified pipelines.
- Internal Collaboration: Manage team tasks, files, and reminders across workspaces.
Debian’s minimal footprint and predictable upgrades make it an excellent choice for long-running Cerb deployments in both cloud and on-prem environments.
Comparison: Cerb vs. Other Open Source Helpdesk Platforms
| Feature | Cerb | Zammad | osTicket | FreeScout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | Commercial OSS | AGPLv3 | GPLv2 | MIT |
| Shared Inbox Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Record Definitions | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Workflow Automation | Advanced DSL | Moderate | Limited | Limited |
| API-first Architecture | Yes | Partial | No | Yes |
| Plugin System | Modular | Growing | Basic | Community |
| Visual Bot Scripting | Yes | No | No | No |
| Self-Hosted Friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cerb is unique in this space due to its programmable workflows, deep customization, and focus on scalability rather than out-of-the-box simplicity.
Running Cerb on Debian 12 offers a highly customizable, robust, and secure framework for managing workflows and team communications. It is well-suited for:
- Organizations with internal IT, ops, or support teams
- Businesses looking to replace siloed SaaS systems
- Enterprises that require fine-grained automation and auditability
Debian 12’s LTS stability, mature PHP/MySQL support, and strong security make it a long-term viable host OS for Cerb deployments.
Step 1: Deploy a Debian 12 Server on Shape.Host
To begin, create a virtual server using Shape.Host:
Log in at https://shape.host.
Click “Create”, then choose “Instance”.
Select a server location closest to your target audience for optimal speed and performance.
Choose Debian 12 (64-bit) as your operating system.
Pick a plan with at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 40 GB SSD.
Click “Create Instance”.
Once the server is deployed, note your IP address and root login credentials.
Step 2: Connect to Your Server via SSH
From Linux/macOS:
ssh root@your-server-ip
From Windows, use PuTTY and connect to:
root@your-server-ip
Step 3: Install Required Packages
3.1 Update Package Index
apt update
3.2 Install PHP, Nginx, and Dependencies
apt install git curl unzip php-gd php-mailparse php-yaml nginx php php-fpm php-mysql php-curl php-xml php-mbstring php-zip php-cli
3.3 Install MariaDB Server
apt install mariadb-server
systemctl start mariadb
Step 4: Create Cerb Database and User
Run the following to create the database and grant permissions:
mysql -u root <<EOF
CREATE DATABASE cerb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
CREATE USER 'cerb'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YourStrongPass!';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON cerb.* TO 'cerb'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EOF
🔒 Replace
YourStrongPass!with a secure password.
Step 5: Download and Prepare Cerb
cd /var/www
git clone -b v11.1 https://github.com/cerb/cerb-release.git cerb
chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/cerb
cd /var/www/cerb
chmod u+w framework.config.php storage
Step 6: Configure Nginx for Cerb
6.1 Create Nginx Config
nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/cerb.conf
Paste the following (update your-domain.com):
server {
listen 80;
server_name your-domain.com;
root /var/www/cerb;
index index.php;
location / {
try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string;
}
location ~ \.php$ {
include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php-fpm.sock;
fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;
include fastcgi_params;
}
location ~ /\.ht {
deny all;
}
}
6.2 Enable the Site and Reload Nginx
ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/cerb.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
nginx -t && systemctl reload nginx
Step 7: Secure Your Site with HTTPS
7.1 Install Certbot
apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
7.2 Obtain SSL Certificate
certbot --nginx -d your-domain.com
Follow the prompts to complete the HTTPS setup.
Step 8: Finish Setup in Browser
Open your browser and visit:
http://your-domain.com
or
https://your-domain.com
You’ll be guided through the Cerb web installer to:
- Connect to the database (
cerb,YourStrongPass!) - Create the admin account
- Finish setup
You’ve successfully installed Cerb v11.1 on Debian 12, using PHP, Nginx, MariaDB, and Certbot. Cerb is now ready for production use, offering automation, ticketing, and powerful collaboration tools.
For fast, secure, and scalable infrastructure, host your Cerb installation with Shape.Host.
Launch your instance today at Shape.Host and power your team’s productivity.