Yes—you can run YaCy on a VPS as a private search portal or as a public, HTTPS-protected search service. For most operators, Docker is the fastest repeatable deployment: publish YaCy’s web ports 8090 and 8443, mount a persistent volume at /opt/yacy_search_server/DATA, change the default administrator password, and put public traffic behind Nginx and TLS. A source build is better when you need to control the Java runtime or build process. YaCy is resource-hungry when crawling and searching, and its official documentation does not state a current fixed minimum for CPU, memory, storage, or bandwidth, so size the VPS for your crawl and query workload rather than relying on a supposedly universal plan.
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What YaCy does on a VPS
YaCy is a distributed web search engine. Its peers can crawl and index pages locally, answer searches from that local index, and exchange index information through a built-in peer-to-peer network. The project describes it as a full search-engine application containing a server that hosts a search index, with that index exchangeable with other YaCy installations over the peer-to-peer protocol. The source repository is available at https://github.com/yacy/yacy_search_server.git.
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Three operating models
- Private local index: Crawl approved sites and search only your own collection. This minimizes exposure and avoids sharing your index beyond the networks you permit.
- Public search portal: Publish a domain name, terminate HTTPS at a reverse proxy, and restrict YaCy administration separately from the search page.
- Peer-to-peer participant: Exchange index material with other YaCy peers to broaden discovery. The additional network activity and indexing work require more careful capacity and privacy decisions.
Choose Docker or a source build
| Decision area | Docker deployment | Source build |
|---|---|---|
| Reproducibility | Recreate the same named image, ports, volume, and restart policy with a short command. | Reproduce the Git checkout, JDK, Ant version, and build steps on the host. |
| Host dependencies | Docker is required; Java does not need to be installed on the VPS host. | JDK 17 or newer, Git, and Ant are required on the host. |
| Data persistence | Mount a named or host volume at /opt/yacy_search_server/DATA. |
The application’s DATA directory remains in the source installation and must be included in backups. |
| Upgrade method | Stop and remove the old container, pull the desired image, then recreate it with the same volume. | Fetch or build the desired source revision and restart while preserving the DATA directory. |
| Observability | Use container logs plus YaCy’s web administration pages. | Use the process output, service manager, and YaCy’s administration pages. |
| Rollback | Record the previous image tag and recreate the container with that tag if needed. | Keep the previous source revision and application data backup available. |
Docker is the practical default for a first VPS installation because the runtime is packaged and upgrades are repeatable. Choose a source build when you need to patch or inspect the application, integrate it with an existing Java service layout, or avoid a container runtime.
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VPS prerequisites and sizing
Host access and operating system
- A Unix-like VPS with administrator access for installing Docker or the build prerequisites.
- For a source build, JDK 17 or newer, Git, and Apache Ant.
- For a public service, a domain name, DNS control, Nginx, and Certbot, as described by YaCy’s Unix deployment guidance.
- Firewall control over inbound TCP ports and the ability to run a long-lived process or service.
- Persistent storage for the index and configuration. Treat the DATA directory as application state, not disposable cache.
CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth
YaCy’s official FAQ warns that it is resource hungry as an indexing and search host. The current official material does not publish a numeric minimum or a benchmark table for CPU cores, RAM, disk capacity, or bandwidth. A small private index and a broad crawl are different workloads, so choose capacity from the number and frequency of crawls, query concurrency, retention period, and whether peer-to-peer exchange is enabled. Monitor disk growth and memory pressure after the first crawl instead of assuming a fixed VPS size is suitable.
Decide your exposure before installing
Write down whether the service is private, limited to a VPN or office network, or public. A private deployment can bind or firewall the web ports to trusted source networks. A public deployment needs a domain, HTTPS, a reverse proxy, strong credentials, and a plan for separating administration from ordinary search traffic.
Install YaCy with Docker
The official installation page publishes the image yacy/yacy_search_server:latest for amd64 systems and lists arm64v8 and arm32v7 variants. The official images are hosted at https://hub.docker.com/r/yacy/yacy_search_server. Confirm the architecture-specific tag shown there when your VPS is ARM rather than assuming that an amd64 tag will run.
1. Create a persistent volume
A named volume keeps the index when the container is replaced:
docker volume create yacy_dataYou can use a host-mounted directory instead if your backup system expects ordinary files. Whichever method you select, the mount target inside the container must be /opt/yacy_search_server/DATA.
2. Start the container
docker run -d --name yacy --restart unless-stopped -p 8090:8090 -p 8443:8443 -v yacy_data:/opt/yacy_search_server/DATA yacy/yacy_search_server:latestThis publishes YaCy’s default HTTP interface on host port 8090 and the container’s HTTPS endpoint on host port 8443. The restart policy brings the container back after a VPS reboot or a Docker daemon restart. If you use an ARM image, substitute the architecture tag documented on the official image page.
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3. Check startup and open the interface
docker psdocker logs --follow yacyAfter startup, open http://localhost:8090 from the VPS itself, or visit the VPS address on port 8090 from an allowed network. The first response can take time while the application initializes. Do not open public traffic until you have changed the default credentials and checked the firewall.
4. Verify that data is really mounted
docker inspect yacy --format '{{json .Mounts}}'The output should show your volume mounted at /opt/yacy_search_server/DATA. If the mount is missing, stop before crawling: deleting or replacing that container would otherwise discard the index and configuration stored inside it.
Build YaCy from source
A source installation gives you direct control over the checkout and Java process. YaCy can run as a normal user; root is not required for the application itself.
1. Install the build prerequisites on Debian or Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk-headless ant gitUse a JDK 17 or newer package available for your distribution. Confirm the active versions before building:
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git --version
ant -version2. Clone, build, and start
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/yacy/yacy_search_server.git
cd yacy_search_server
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./startYACY.shThe documented startup interface is http://localhost:8090. For a persistent VPS service, run the process under a dedicated unprivileged account and supervise it with systemd or another service manager. Keep the checkout and its DATA directory on persistent storage, and include that directory in your backup set.
3. Make upgrades deliberate
Do not overwrite a working checkout blindly. Record the current commit or release, back up DATA, fetch the target revision, rebuild, and restart. If the new revision behaves unexpectedly, restore the previous checkout and data backup rather than trying to reconstruct an index from memory.
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Ports, firewall rules, and private access
Port 8090
YaCy’s web server uses port 8090 by default. The interface port can be changed from YaCy administration pages, but changing it does not automatically change your VPS firewall, reverse-proxy configuration, or Docker port mapping. Update all three layers together.
Port 8443
The Docker pattern publishes port 8443 for YaCy’s HTTPS endpoint. You do not have to expose it publicly when Nginx terminates TLS on ports 80 and 443 and proxies to YaCy on loopback. If you publish 8443, limit access to the source networks that need it and avoid exposing an administrative surface unnecessarily.
Firewall approach
- For local-only use, allow 8090 only from loopback or your management network.
- For VPN or office use, allow the chosen YaCy port only from the VPN or office address ranges.
- For a public portal behind Nginx, expose 80 and 443 to the internet, keep YaCy’s 8090 and 8443 reachable only from the proxy or an administrator network, and deny everything else by default.
- After changing a port, test from both an allowed and a disallowed network so an accidental broad rule is visible.
Put a public YaCy portal behind HTTPS
YaCy’s Unix deployment guidance uses a domain, Nginx, Certbot, and a Unix service manager to place the application behind a reverse proxy. This arrangement gives visitors a normal HTTPS address while keeping the YaCy process on the VPS’s private interface.
1. Point DNS at the VPS
Create an A or AAAA record for a hostname such as search.example.com and wait for it to resolve to the VPS. Do not request a certificate until the hostname reaches the correct server.
2. Keep YaCy off the public interface
With Docker, publish YaCy only to loopback by mapping the host side to 127.0.0.1 when your topology permits, for example:
docker run -d --name yacy --restart unless-stopped -p 127.0.0.1:8090:8090 -p 127.0.0.1:8443:8443 -v yacy_data:/opt/yacy_search_server/DATA yacy/yacy_search_server:latestIf you already created a container with public bindings, recreate it with restricted bindings rather than editing a running container. A source installation should likewise listen on a private interface or be protected by the firewall.
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3. Configure Nginx as the proxy
Create a server block for the hostname and proxy requests to http://127.0.0.1:8090. Preserve the original host and forwarding information, set a sensible request timeout for searches, and ensure the proxy can pass larger responses generated by result pages. Keep the YaCy administration paths inaccessible to the public if your deployment can separate them by network or an additional access-control layer.
4. Obtain and renew the certificate
Use Certbot with the Nginx integration after DNS and the HTTP server block are working. Let Certbot install the certificate and schedule renewal, then test renewal before relying on it for a production portal. Redirect clear-text HTTP to HTTPS once the certificate is active.
5. Test the complete path
- Resolve the hostname from an external network.
- Open the HTTPS URL and confirm the certificate name matches.
- Submit a search and confirm results return through the proxy.
- Try the direct VPS port 8090 from the internet; it should be blocked when the proxy-only design is in place.
- Check Nginx and YaCy logs for client addresses, upstream errors, and slow requests.
Change the default account before exposure
The Docker instructions specify a default remote account of admin with password yacy. Change it before allowing remote access. The web path named by the official instructions is /ConfigAccounts_p.html. For headless operation, the documented command is:
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bin/passwd.sh <password>Local access does not require a password, while remote access does. That distinction is convenient during first-time setup but dangerous on a publicly reachable interface: an attacker who can reach the service remotely should encounter authentication, and the administration interface should be restricted further whenever possible. Use a unique password stored in your password manager, and rotate it if the VPS, volume backup, or administrator account may have been exposed.
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Start with a bounded crawl
Begin with a small, approved set of sites and observe CPU, memory, disk growth, and crawl rate. Increase scope gradually. A broad crawl can fill storage and consume bandwidth long before search traffic becomes the main load.
Choose what your index represents
- Organization or project search: Keep crawling limited to domains and documents your users are allowed to search.
- Personal discovery: Store only sources you are comfortable retaining on a VPS and in its backups.
- Public web portal: Define acceptable crawl scope, abuse handling, and a method for removing unwanted content from the index.
Decide whether to exchange indexes
Peer-to-peer participation can increase discovery breadth because a peer may exchange index information with other YaCy installations. It also means your node participates in network traffic and exposes more operational metadata than a strictly local index. Keep peer participation disabled or tightly controlled when data ownership, legal restrictions, or privacy requirements favor an isolated index.
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Separate search users from administrators
Give ordinary visitors only the search function. Restrict administration pages by firewall, VPN, reverse-proxy access control, or a separate management hostname. Do not assume that putting the search page behind HTTPS alone protects administrative actions.
Preserve the index and survive upgrades
What must be backed up
Back up the complete /opt/yacy_search_server/DATA tree for Docker, or the equivalent DATA directory in a source installation. Include YaCy configuration, crawled-index files, account settings, and any local tuning stored there. A backup that contains only the container image or source checkout cannot restore your index.
Document each deployment
- Current image tag or source commit.
- CPU architecture and operating-system release.
- Port mappings and firewall rules.
- Volume name or host path.
- Reverse-proxy hostname and certificate renewal method.
- Whether peer-to-peer exchange is enabled.
Official Docker upgrade sequence
- Back up the DATA volume and record the currently running image tag.
- Stop the existing container:
docker stop yacy. - Remove the container, not the volume:
docker rm yacy. - Pull the desired image tag:
docker pull yacy/yacy_search_server:latest(or the pinned tag you selected). - Recreate the container with the same volume, ports, and restart policy.
- Check
docker logs yacy, open port 8090 locally, and run a test search before restoring public traffic.
The volume is the continuity mechanism. Removing it, changing the mount path, or starting the replacement with a new empty volume creates a fresh installation instead of an upgrade.
Recovery if the new container fails
Stop the failed container, preserve its logs, and recreate the previous image tag with the original volume. If the DATA directory is damaged, stop YaCy and restore the last known-good backup to a separate location before replacing the live data. Do not repeatedly start a potentially corrupt index in write mode while troubleshooting.
Docker and source installation: practical trade-offs
| Use case | Prefer Docker when… | Prefer source when… |
|---|---|---|
| First VPS deployment | You want the shortest path with Java contained in the image. | You already operate Java services and have a standard build pipeline. |
| Frequent rebuilds | You need a documented stop, pull, recreate workflow. | You need to patch, inspect, or compile a particular revision. |
| Operations team | The team is comfortable with volumes, container logs, and image tags. | The team prefers systemd, filesystem-level process tools, and package-managed JDKs. |
| Rollback | A previous image tag and DATA backup are available. | A previous checkout and DATA backup are available. |
Neither method removes the need for backups, firewalling, credential changes, or capacity monitoring. The deployment format changes the mechanics; it does not change the operational responsibilities.
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| Concern | Private or VPN-only | Public internet portal |
|---|---|---|
| Administration exposure | Allow only trusted management addresses. | Keep administration off the public path and add separate access controls. |
| Domain and TLS | Optional when users connect through a trusted private network, though encryption is still advisable. | Use a domain and HTTPS through Nginx and Certbot. |
| Authentication | Change the default password and restrict network access. | Change the default password before opening the proxy; enforce remote authentication and protect admin URLs. |
| Crawl scope | Usually bounded to approved sources. | Define public-use rules, abuse handling, and removal procedures. |
| Resource demand | Driven mainly by your crawl and query workload. | Driven by your workload plus public traffic and possible peer exchange. |
Troubleshoot the common failure modes
The page does not load on port 8090
- Check that the container or process is running with
docker psor your service manager. - Read startup output with
docker logs yacyor the source process log. - Test locally on the VPS first. If localhost works but a remote client fails, inspect the VPS firewall, cloud firewall, and bind address.
- Confirm that another service is not already using the host port.
The index disappeared after a container upgrade
Inspect the replacement container’s mount list and compare its volume name and target with the original. If the DATA mount was omitted or a new volume was created, stop the container and recreate it with the original volume. Restore from backup if the original data is no longer available.
Nginx returns a gateway error
Verify that YaCy is listening on the address and port in proxy_pass, that the container is bound to loopback as intended, and that local firewall rules permit Nginx to connect. Review both Nginx’s error log and YaCy’s log; a proxy timeout and an application startup failure require different fixes.
Remote administration is unexpectedly open
Check whether port 8090 or 8443 is published on all interfaces, whether a cloud firewall rule allows it, and whether Nginx forwards administrative paths. Restrict the binding or firewall source range, then test from an untrusted network.
The VPS runs out of disk or memory
Pause or narrow crawling, inspect index and log growth, and increase storage or memory only after identifying the workload causing it. Because the official material does not promise a fixed capacity figure, treat observed resource use—not a generic plan label—as the sizing signal.
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Operational checklist
- Select Docker or a JDK 17-plus source build.
- Choose private, public, or peer-to-peer operation.
- Provision persistent storage and document the DATA location.
- Install and verify YaCy locally on port 8090.
- Change the default
admin/yacycredentials. - Apply least-privilege firewall rules to 8090 and 8443.
- For public access, configure DNS, Nginx, HTTPS, and certificate renewal.
- Start with a bounded crawl and monitor CPU, memory, disk, and bandwidth.
- Back up DATA before every upgrade and record the image tag or source revision.
- Test restoration, not merely backup creation.
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