How to Install Plane.so on Rocky Linux 9 with Docker Compose

Plane.so on Rocky Linux 9 (Docker Compose + PostgreSQL + Redis + SSL)

Plane.so is an open-source project management and issue tracking platform designed for modern development teams. It enables agile workflows with features like sprints, issues, roadmaps, and releases, offering the same functionality as tools like Jira, Linear, or ClickUp — but entirely self-hosted, ensuring total data privacy and customization. Built with React (Next.js), Django (Python), PostgreSQL, and Redis, Plane combines flexibility, performance, and an elegant interface tailored for developers.

Running Plane on Rocky Linux 9 — a community-driven, RHEL-compatible enterprise operating system — provides a stable, secure, and long-term supported foundation for production deployments. With SELinux enforced by default, systemd 252, OpenSSL 3, and full support for Docker and Docker Compose, Rocky Linux 9 delivers an ideal environment for hosting Plane with SSL and Nginx reverse proxy integration.

Architecture Overview

Layer	Component	Role
OS	Rocky Linux 9	Enterprise-grade, RHEL-compatible base with SELinux enforcement
Container Runtime	Docker Engine + Compose	Orchestrates Plane and all dependent containers
Database	PostgreSQL 15	Stores projects, issues, users, and configuration data
Cache Queue	Redis	Handles caching, background jobs, and real-time updates
Backend	Django (Python)	Provides API, authentication, and business logic
Frontend	Next.js (React)	User interface for managing tasks, sprints, and workflows
Reverse Proxy	Nginx (optional)	TLS termination, routing, and request handling
TLS	Let’s Encrypt / PKI	Enables secure HTTPS for user and API access

Why Use Plane.so?

Open-source and self-hosted – complete control of your data.
Feature-rich – sprints, issue tracking, team collaboration, and roadmaps.
Scalable – suitable for small teams, startups, and enterprises.
Modern architecture – powered by Django, React, Redis, and PostgreSQL.
Cost-efficient – no recurring subscription fees or vendor lock-in.

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 (via Redis)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customization	Full (source access)	Limited	Moderate	Limited

Plane.so is ideal for teams seeking Jira-level functionality without cloud dependency, licensing costs, or privacy concerns.

Security & Best Practices

Deploy behind Nginx with SSL enabled for secure access.
Store sensitive credentials as Docker secrets or environment variables.
Restrict PostgreSQL and Redis to internal Docker networks.
Use systemd to manage Docker Compose as a persistent service.
Apply SELinux policies and firewall rules to harden your system.
Schedule automated database backups for PostgreSQL.
Keep Rocky Linux, Docker, and Plane images updated regularly.

Typical Use Cases

Software teams managing sprints, bugs, and releases.
Startups replacing Jira or Linear with a free, self-hosted solution.
Agencies collaborating with clients and teams securely.
Enterprises deploying project management under compliance frameworks.
Open-source projects tracking issues and feature requests collaboratively.

Deploying Plane.so on Rocky Linux 9 with Docker Compose gives you a secure, scalable, and enterprise-ready project management platform — combining the stability of Rocky Linux with the flexibility and power of open-source software.

Step 1: Create a Server Instance on Shape.Host

Before starting, set up your Rocky Linux server:

Go to Shape.Host and log into your account.

Click Create → Instance.

Choose your server location closest to your users.

Shape.host instance form with the data center location selector highlighted.

Select a plan with at least 4 CPUs, 8 GB RAM, and 40 GB SSD (recommended).

Pick Rocky Linux 9 (64-bit) as your operating system.

Shape.host instance form with the operating system image selector highlighted.

Click Create Instance.

Shape.host instance form with the Create Instance button highlighted.

Copy the public IP address from the Resources section once your instance is created.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with the server IP address highlighted.

Step 2: Connect to Your Server

Connect to your instance using SSH:

Linux/macOS: ssh root@your_server_ip
Windows (PuTTY):
1. Open PuTTY.
2. Enter your instance IP under “Host Name.”
3. Select SSH and click Open.
4. Log in using your Shape.Host credentials.

Step 3: Install Docker and Docker Compose

Update system packages:

dnf update

Terminal showing DNF/YUM package management commands and output.

Install required dependencies:

dnf install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release

Add Docker’s official GPG key:

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/gpg | gpg --dearmor -o /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/docker.gpg

Create Docker’s repository configuration:

tee /etc/yum.repos.d/docker.repo > /dev/null <<EOF
[docker-ce-stable]
name=Docker CE Stable - \$basearch
baseurl=https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/\$releasever/\$basearch/stable
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/docker.gpg
EOF

Update again and install Docker Engine and Compose plugin:

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

Enable and start Docker:

systemctl enable --now docker

Check that Docker Compose is installed:

docker compose version

You should see the version output confirming Docker Compose is ready.

Terminal showing systemd service management commands or output.

Step 4: Install Plane.so Using the Official Installer

Download and execute Plane’s installer script:

curl -fsSL https://prime.plane.so/install/ | sh -

This script automatically sets up the Docker Compose environment for Plane.so, downloading all necessary containers like PostgreSQL, Redis, and Plane’s backend/frontend services.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

The script will prompt you for configuration details:

Domain name: Enter your Plane domain (e.g., plane.example.com).
Setup type:
- Choose Express for quick local testing or demo purposes.
- Choose Advanced for production-grade configuration.

After confirming your choices, the installer will:

Pull the required Docker images.
Create environment files.
Deploy all Plane services automatically.

Plane self-hosted installer welcome prompt.

Plane installer edition selection prompt.

Terminal displaying Plane container image download progress.

Terminal showing Plane asset download, installation completion and database migration output.

Step 6: Access the Plane.so Dashboard

When installation is complete, open your browser and visit:

https://YOUR_DOMAIN

You’ll be greeted by the Plane setup interface. Create your first workspace, add projects, and invite your team.

Plane initial instance and administrator setup form.

Plane administration interface with instance configuration controls.

You’ve successfully installed Plane.so on Rocky Linux 9 using Docker Compose.
You now have a self-hosted project management platform for your team, running securely in containers and easily scalable.

For optimal uptime and performance, deploy Plane on a Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS — offering enterprise-grade reliability and dedicated resources tailored for containerized applications like Plane.so.