How to Install Plane.so on Ubuntu 24.04 with Docker Compose

Plane.so on Ubuntu 24.04 (Docker Compose + PostgreSQL + Redis + SSL)

Plane.so is an open-source project management and issue tracking platform built for modern software teams. Similar to Jira, Linear, or ClickUp, it provides tools for sprints, roadmaps, issues, and team collaboration, but with the freedom of self-hosting and full data control. Plane is built using React, Next.js, Python (Django), and PostgreSQL, offering a clean UI and developer-friendly APIs.

Running Plane on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) with Docker Compose provides a secure, fast, and production-ready deployment environment. Ubuntu 24.04 comes with systemd 255, OpenSSL 3, and the latest Docker stack — ensuring stability, long-term support, and compatibility for modern web applications.

Architecture Overview

Layer	Component	Role
OS	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	Stable, secure base system with long-term support
Container Runtime	Docker Engine + Compose	Orchestrates Plane and its dependent services
Database	PostgreSQL 15/16	Stores projects, users, and issue tracking data
Cache Queue	Redis	Handles background tasks, caching, and notifications
Backend	Django (Python)	API layer and business logic
Frontend	Next.js (React)	Web interface for project management and collaboration
Reverse Proxy	Nginx (optional)	TLS termination, routing, and compression
TLS	Let’s Encrypt / PKI	Provides HTTPS for secure access to the Plane web interface

Why Use Plane.so?

Modern Jira alternative – streamlined project and issue management.
Open-source & self-hosted – full data control, no SaaS dependency.
Built for teams – supports agile workflows, sprints, and roadmaps.
API-first design – easily integrates with CI/CD and automation tools.
Beautiful UI – designed for developers and managers alike.

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	Subscription	Subscription
Database	PostgreSQL	Proprietary	Proprietary	Proprietary
Realtime updates	Yes (Redis backend)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customization	High (source code)	Limited	Moderate	Limited

Plane is ideal for teams who want Jira-like functionality without cloud lock-in or per-seat licensing.

Security & Best Practices

Run Plane behind Nginx with HTTPS enabled.
Use Docker secrets or environment variables for sensitive credentials.
Restrict PostgreSQL and Redis access to internal Docker networks.
Schedule database backups using pg_dump or automated containers.
Keep Plane, Docker images, and Ubuntu packages up to date.
Use UFW or nftables to allow only ports 80/443 externally.
Automate SSL renewal with Certbot or Traefik’s ACME integration.

Typical Use Cases

Agile software teams managing issues, tasks, and sprints.
Startups replacing Jira or Linear with a self-hosted alternative.
Agencies coordinating design, development, and QA projects.
Enterprises deploying Plane internally for compliance and data control.
Open-source communities tracking features, bugs, and contributions.

Deploying Plane.so on Ubuntu 24.04 with Docker Compose gives you a modern, self-hosted project management platform with robust APIs, real-time features, and a polished user experience — perfect for agile teams that value performance, control, and open-source freedom.

Step 1: Create a Server Instance on Shape.Host

Before installing, create a new server instance:

Log into your Shape.Host dashboard.

Click Create → Instance.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with Create > Instance highlighted.

Choose your data center location close to your users.

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

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

Pick Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as the 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.

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

Step 2: Connect to Your Server

Linux/macOS: ssh root@your_server_ip
Windows (PuTTY):
1. Enter the IP of your instance.
2. Select SSH, click Open, and log in with your Shape.Host credentials.

Step 3: Install Docker and Docker Compose

Update system packages:

apt update

Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Install required dependencies:

apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release

Create a directory for Docker’s GPG key:

mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings

Add Docker’s GPG key:

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg

Add Docker’s official repository:

echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list

Update again and install Docker Engine and Compose:

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

Enable and start Docker:

systemctl enable --now docker

Check Docker Compose version:

docker compose version

If the version displays successfully, Docker Compose is ready.

Terminal showing systemd service management commands or output.

Step 4: Run the Plane.so Installer

Download and execute Plane’s official self-hosting installation script:

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

This script automatically downloads Plane’s Docker Compose stack and launches the setup wizard.

Terminal showing sh commands or output during Run the Plane.so Installer.

Step 5: Follow the Installation Prompts

During installation, you’ll be guided through an interactive setup:

Domain name: Enter the domain where Plane will run (e.g., plane.example.com).
Installation mode:
- Choose Express for quick testing or development.
- Choose Advanced for production — this allows more configuration.
The installer will pull the required Docker images and deploy all services (backend, frontend, database, and cache) automatically.

Step 6: Access Your Plane.so Dashboard

Once the installation completes, open your browser and navigate to:

https://YOUR_DOMAIN

You’ll be greeted by the Plane setup interface. Create your first workspace and account to begin managing projects.

Plane welcome screen after the initial setup.

Setup your Plane Instance:

Plane initial instance and administrator setup form.

Plane administration interface with instance configuration controls.

You installed Plane.so on Ubuntu 24.04 with Docker Compose. You now have a fully self-hosted, modern project management platform ready to use for teams and organizations.

For optimal reliability and scalability, host your Plane deployment on Shape.Host Cloud VPS, offering high-performance infrastructure perfect for containerized applications like Plane.so.