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Self-host Renovate on a VPS

Automated dependency updates, self-hosted.

Keep dependencies current by opening pull requests automatically, running entirely on your own infrastructure.

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Why self-host Renovate?

Self-hosting Renovate means it can read your private repos and registry credentials without a third party seeing them.

How to install Renovate

  1. 1

    Provision a VPS

    Pick a Debian/Ubuntu template and get root SSH in about a minute.

  2. 2

    Install the runtime

    Install Node.js + scheduler or CI job.

  3. 3

    Deploy the application

    Net what you need from the project’s official source and run it.

  4. 4

    Put it behind TLS

    Reverse-proxy with Nginx and issue a Let’s Encrypt certificate.

  5. 5

    Add it to your backups

    Include the data directory and database in your backup routine before you rely on it.

Practical tips

  • Give Renovate its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
  • Reverse-proxy Renovate and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
  • Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
  • Keep Renovate patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does Renovate need?
Plan on 1–2 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
What stack does Renovate run on?
Node.js + scheduler or CI job.
Can I run other things on the same VPS?
Yes — size the plan so Renovate plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.

Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Dependabot (GitHub), Snyk (hosted), Depfu — browse all app guides.

About Renovate

Renovate is open-source software released under the AGPL-3.0 licence. HostingSwift does not maintain, sell or support Renovate itself — you install and run it on your own VPS. These are the official links to the project:

Read the project's own documentation before deploying. We credit upstream projects because we genuinely run and recommend them — see our full open-source directory.