Christian WellsPlane.so on Debian 12 (Docker Compose + PostgreSQL + Redis + SSL)
Plane.so is an open-source project and issue tracking platform designed for modern software teams. Comparable to tools like Jira, Linear, and ClickUp, it helps you manage projects, plan sprints, and track issues — but with full self-hosting capabilities, giving you total control of your data. Built with React (Next.js), Django (Python), PostgreSQL, and Redis, Plane combines speed, flexibility, and a clean user interface ideal for developers and teams alike.
Running Plane on Debian 12 (Bookworm) with Docker Compose offers a stable, secure, and long-term supported foundation for deployment. Debian’s reliability, combined with systemd 252, OpenSSL 3, and the latest Docker Engine and Compose, makes it an excellent environment for production-grade Plane installations with SSL and reverse proxy support.
Architecture Overview
| Layer | Component | Role |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Debian 12 (Bookworm) | Stable, secure Linux base with long-term support |
| Container Runtime | Docker Engine + Compose | Orchestrates Plane and its dependent services |
| Database | PostgreSQL 15 | Stores issues, users, projects, and configuration data |
| Cache Queue | Redis | Handles real-time updates, background tasks, and session caching |
| Backend | Django (Python) | Manages API logic, authentication, and business rules |
| Frontend | Next.js (React) | Delivers the web interface for project management |
| Reverse Proxy | Nginx (optional) | Provides TLS termination, caching, and HTTP routing |
| TLS | Let’s Encrypt / PKI | Enables HTTPS for secure access to the Plane dashboard |
Why Use Plane.so?
- Open-source alternative to Jira, Linear, or ClickUp.
- Self-hosted – maintain privacy and full control over your data.
- Agile-ready – supports sprints, epics, issues, and roadmaps.
- API-first design – integrates easily with CI/CD or automation pipelines.
- Modern UI – optimized for developers and teams that value simplicity.
Plane.so vs Other Project Management Tools
| Feature/Capability | Plane.so (Self-hosted) | Jira (Cloud) | Linear (Cloud) | ClickUp (Cloud) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted (Docker) | SaaS only | SaaS only | SaaS only |
| Cost | Free, open-source | Subscription-based | Subscription-based | Subscription-based |
| Database | PostgreSQL | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Real-time updates | Yes (Redis backend) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customization | High (open codebase) | Limited | Moderate | Limited |
Plane is perfect for teams that want Jira-like capabilities with complete data ownership and no licensing restrictions.
Security & Best Practices
- Deploy behind Nginx with SSL for secure HTTPS access.
- Use Docker secrets or environment variables to manage credentials.
- Restrict PostgreSQL and Redis to internal Docker networks.
- Schedule automatic PostgreSQL backups (e.g., via
pg_dump). - Keep Debian, Docker, and Plane images regularly updated.
- Use UFW or nftables to restrict public access to ports 80/443 only.
- Automate SSL renewals with Certbot or Traefik ACME integration.
Typical Use Cases
- Agile development teams tracking tasks and sprints.
- Startups and software agencies managing projects in-house.
- Enterprises needing on-premise issue tracking for compliance.
- Freelancers managing multiple clients and deliverables.
- Open-source communities coordinating releases and bug reports.
Deploying Plane.so on Debian 12 with Docker Compose gives you a powerful, self-hosted project management platform that rivals Jira and Linear — secure, flexible, and fully under your control.
Step 1: Create a Server Instance on Shape.Host
Log in to your Shape.Host dashboard.
Click Create → Instance.
Select your preferred data center location.
Choose a plan with at least 4 CPUs, 8 GB RAM, and 40 GB SSD (recommended for Plane).
Select Debian 12 (64-bit) as your OS.
Click Create Instance.
Once the instance is ready, copy its public IP address from the Resources section.
Step 2: Connect to Your Server
- Linux/macOS:
ssh root@your_server_ip - Windows (PuTTY):
- Enter your server’s IP address.
- Choose SSH as the connection type.
- Click Open and log in with your Shape.Host credentials.
Step 3: Install Docker and Docker Compose
Update package repositories:
apt update
Install required packages:
apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release
Create a directory for Docker’s keyring:
install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
Add Docker’s official GPG key:
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg | gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
Adjust file permissions:
chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
Add the Docker repository to APT sources:
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/debian \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list
Update again and install Docker components:
apt update
apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-compose-plugin
Enable and start Docker:
systemctl enable --now docker
Check if Docker Compose is available:
docker compose version
Step 4: Run the Plane Installer
Download and execute the official Plane self-hosting installer:
curl -fsSL https://prime.plane.so/install/ | sh -
This script automatically pulls all Plane.so Docker images and deploys them via Docker Compose.
Step 5: Complete the Setup
During installation, follow the prompts:
- Enter your domain name (e.g.,
plane.example.com) - Choose installation mode:
- Express → for quick local or testing environments
- Advanced → for production deployments
- The installer will automatically download and start all necessary services (backend, frontend, PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.)
Once completed, Plane will be available at your domain.
Step 6: Access the Web Interface
Open your browser and visit:
https://YOUR_DOMAIN
You’ll see Plane’s setup interface, where you can create your first workspace, project, and user.
You’ve successfully installed Plane.so on Debian 12 using Docker Compose.
Your instance now hosts a full-featured, modern project management system — ideal for software teams that need visibility, control, and flexibility.
For best performance and uptime, deploy Plane on Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS, optimized for containerized workloads and production-grade reliability.
