How to Install Cerb on Debian 12

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:

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

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.

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