How to Install NocoDB (Airtable Alternative) on Rocky Linux 9

NocoDB (Airtable Alternative) on Rocky Linux 9 (Docker + Nginx + SSL)

NocoDB is an open-source Airtable alternative that transforms any SQL database into a smart spreadsheet interface. It enables users and teams to collaborate, visualize, and manage data without writing a single line of code. Featuring REST and GraphQL APIs, role-based access control, and custom dashboards, NocoDB allows you to build no-code applications, CRMs, project trackers, and internal tools directly on top of your existing database infrastructure.

Running NocoDB on Rocky Linux 9, a RHEL-compatible enterprise-grade operating system, ensures stability, long-term support, and security for production deployments. Using Docker Compose, Nginx, and SSL encryption, Rocky Linux 9 provides a powerful and reliable foundation for hosting your self-managed NocoDB instance with complete data ownership.

Architecture Overview

Layer	Component	Role
OS	Rocky Linux 9	Enterprise-grade, RHEL-compatible Linux distribution
Container Runtime	Docker Engine + Compose	Orchestrates NocoDB and its dependencies
Application	NocoDB (Node.js)	Web-based spreadsheet interface and backend API service
Database	PostgreSQL / MySQL / MariaDB	Stores data, schema, and user configurations
Reverse Proxy	Nginx	Manages HTTPS, routing, and compression
TLS	Let’s Encrypt / PKI	Provides SSL certificates for secure connections

Why Use NocoDB?

Open-source Airtable replacement – no SaaS lock-in, full control of your data.
Spreadsheet-style interface – manage SQL tables easily without SQL knowledge.
Multi-database support – compatible with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and SQL Server.
REST & GraphQL APIs – automatically generated endpoints for all connected tables.
Role-based access control (RBAC) – define permissions for teams and users.
Custom views – build grid, form, gallery, and Kanban views.
Scalable & extensible – ideal for developers, startups, and enterprise environments.

NocoDB vs Other No-Code Platforms

Feature/Capability	NocoDB (Self-hosted)	Airtable	Baserow	SeaTable
Hosting	Self-hosted / Cloud	Cloud only	Self-hosted / Cloud	Self-hosted / Cloud
Database backend	MySQL / PostgreSQL / SQLite	Proprietary	PostgreSQL	Proprietary
API Access	REST + GraphQL	Limited	REST	REST
Data Ownership	Full control	Cloud-managed	Full control	Partial
Customization	High	Limited	Moderate	Moderate
Cost	Free, open-source	Subscription	Free/Paid	Paid

NocoDB delivers Airtable-level simplicity with SQL-level power, making it a perfect fit for teams that want flexibility, scalability, and data sovereignty.

Security & Best Practices

Deploy behind Nginx or Traefik with HTTPS (Let’s Encrypt recommended).
Store database credentials and JWT secrets securely in .env or Docker secrets.
Restrict NocoDB’s internal port (8080) to localhost or Docker networks only.
Enable SELinux enforcing mode for enhanced system protection.
Configure firewalld to allow only ports 80 and 443.
Automate SSL renewals using Certbot or Traefik ACME integration.
Keep Docker images, NocoDB, and Rocky Linux packages updated.
Schedule regular backups for PostgreSQL/MySQL and NocoDB configuration files.
Enable Nginx rate limiting and fail2ban to prevent brute-force attacks.

Typical Use Cases

Internal business tools – create admin panels and dashboards without coding.
CRM systems – track customers, leads, and communications efficiently.
Project & task management – manage workflows in Kanban or table views.
Inventory & product tracking – connect warehouse databases to real-time views.
Data visualization – explore SQL data visually with filtering and grouping.
API generation – instantly expose databases via REST or GraphQL APIs.

Deploying NocoDB on Rocky Linux 9 with Docker, Nginx, and SSL provides a secure, scalable, and self-hosted Airtable alternative — combining enterprise reliability with the freedom and flexibility of open-source technology.

Create a Cloud Server Instance on Shape.Host

Before installing anything, you need a Rocky Linux 9 VPS.

Go to https://shape.host and sign in.

Click Create at the top-right corner.

Select Instance.

Choose your preferred data center.

Under “Operating System,” choose Rocky Linux 9 (64-bit).

Choose a plan. Recommended minimum:

2 vCPUs

4 GB RAM

20 GB NVMe storage

Click Create Instance.

Wait for deployment to complete (20–40 seconds).

Copy your server’s public IP address from the “Resources” panel.

Your Rocky Linux server is ready for SSH access.

Step 1: Connect to Your Instance (SSH)

On macOS or Linux

Open Terminal:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

On Windows

Use PowerShell, Windows Terminal, or PuTTY:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

When prompted, confirm the fingerprint by typing yes.

You are now logged into your Rocky Linux 9 VPS as root.

Step 2: Update System Packages

dnf update

Updates all system packages to the latest versions.

Step 3: Install Required Dependencies

dnf install curl ca-certificates gnupg2 device-mapper-persistent-data lvm2

Explanation:

curl → required for downloading files
ca-certificates → ensures secure HTTPS
gnupg2 → handles key verification
device-mapper + lvm2 → used internally by Docker

Step 4: Add Docker Repository

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo -o /etc/yum.repos.d/docker-ce.repo

Rocky Linux uses the CentOS repository for Docker installation.

Step 5: Install Docker Engine + Docker Compose

dnf install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

This installs:

Docker Engine
Docker CLI
containerd
Buildx plugin
Docker Compose v2

Step 6: Enable Docker at Boot

systemctl enable docker

Step 7: Start Docker

systemctl start docker

Step 8: Add User to Docker Group

usermod -aG docker $USER

Allows running Docker without root (after re-login).

Step 9: Create NocoDB Directory

mkdir ~/nocodb

Step 10: Enter the Directory

cd ~/nocodb

Step 11: Generate a Secure JWT Secret

openssl rand -hex 32

Copy this secret for use in your configuration.

Step 12: Check Docker Versions

docker compose version

Confirms Docker installation.

Step 13: Create docker-compose.yml

nano docker-compose.yml

Paste:

version: '3.8'

services:
  nocodb:
    image: nocodb/nocodb:latest
    container_name: nocodb
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    volumes:
      - nocodb_data:/usr/app/data
    environment:
      - NC_AUTH_JWT_SECRET=YOUR_RANDOM_JWT_SECRET
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  nocodb_data:

Save and exit (CTRL + O, ENTER, CTRL + X).

Step 14: Start NocoDB

docker compose up -d

NocoDB will now start in the background.

Step 15: Confirm NocoDB is Running

docker ps

Look for:

nocodb   Up

Step 16: Check Logs (Optional)

docker compose logs

This helps diagnose any startup issues.

Step 17: Test NocoDB from Your Browser (Before Setting Up Nginx)

Visit:

http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8080

Example:

http://192.168.10.25:8080

If NocoDB is running correctly, you should see the web interface.
If not, ensure the container is up and port 8080 is allowed.

Once confirmed, proceed to enable Nginx reverse proxy.

Step 18: Install Nginx

dnf install nginx

Step 19: Install Certbot for SSL

dnf install certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Step 20: Enable and Start Nginx

systemctl enable nginx
systemctl start nginx

Step 21: Create Nginx Reverse Proxy

nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/nocodb.conf

Paste:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your.domain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8080;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
    }
}

Step 22: Test Nginx Configuration

nginx -t

Step 23: Reload Nginx

systemctl reload nginx

Step 24: Enable HTTPS with Certbot

certbot --nginx -d rockylinux-tutorials.shape.host

Certbot will:

Issue a free SSL certificate
Update your Nginx configuration
Enable automatic renewal
Activate HTTPS

NocoDB Installation Complete

Your instance is now available securely at:

https://your.domain.com

You have successfully installed NocoDB on Rocky Linux 9 using Docker, Nginx, and SSL.

Running software like NocoDB, Appwrite, Focalboard, HedgeDoc, Paperless-ngx, and more requires stable performance.
Shape.Host offers:

Fast NVMe Linux SSD VPS
Instant provisioning
Clean OS templates
Excellent uptime
Scalable infrastructure

Visit https://shape.host to host your next project.

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