Move to a new server

Moving is a backup on the old server, restored on the new one.

1. On the old server

1. Instance admin›Backups›Back up now, then Download it.
2. Copy your .env file somewhere safe. The new server needs the same secrets.
3. Note the Qwest version you run (QWEST_VERSION in .env).

2. On the new server

1. Get the server ready: VPS, Linux, Windows or macOS.
2. Install Qwest at the same version, but use your old .env instead of making new secrets. Change BETTER_AUTH_URL only if the address changes.
3. Start it with docker compose up -d. Don’t make an account.
4. Restore the backup.

3. Switch over

1. Point your team at the new server: update the domain’s A record, or set up Tailscale on it.

2. Check everything is there.

3. Shut the old server down for good, from its qwest folder:

   docker compose down

The license comes along with the backup. If it ever asks to be activated again, free the old server’s slot from your account and activate on the new one.

Files in a bucket

If your uploads are in a bucket, there’s nothing to move: the new server uses the same bucket, as long as it has the same .env.