adminNew VPS Setup Checklist for Website Operators
This checklist is for anyone setting up a new Ubuntu VPS to run a website, WordPress site, Nginx stack, Docker service or AI automation workflow. The goal is simple: make the server usable, secure, observable and recoverable before you put real traffic on it.
What this checklist covers
- Basic VPS access
- System update
- Firewall setup
- Resource check
- Nginx readiness
- DNS and SSL preparation
- Backup planning
Core idea
A new VPS should not be treated as production-ready by default. Before you install WordPress, n8n, Docker apps or API services, you need to confirm access, security, updates, ports, disk space and recovery options.
Checklist
- Record the VPS provider, IP address, RAM, CPU, disk size and operating system version.
- Log in through SSH and confirm you have root or sudo access.
- Update system packages before installing anything else.
- Set the correct timezone so logs are easier to read later.
- Check RAM, CPU and disk usage before deploying a website.
- Enable a basic firewall and allow only SSH, HTTP and HTTPS.
- Install Nginx or prepare the reverse proxy layer.
- Point the domain DNS A record to the VPS IP address.
- Prepare SSL using Certbot or your preferred SSL method.
- Create a backup plan before adding production data.
Final check
The VPS is ready only when SSH works, firewall rules are clear, Nginx can respond, DNS points correctly, SSL can be issued and you know how to back up and restore important files.
When to Use This Checklist
Use this checklist when setting up a new Ubuntu VPS for WordPress, Nginx, Docker services or AI Automation workflows.
Required Tools
SSH access, Ubuntu VPS, domain name, DNS access, Nginx, Certbot, basic terminal access
Before You Start
Confirm you have the VPS IP address, root or sudo access, domain control and a clear plan for what will run on the server.
Structured Checklist Steps
- Record VPS provider, IP address, RAM, CPU and disk size.
- Log in through SSH.
- Update packages with apt update and apt upgrade.
- Set timezone.
- Check RAM, CPU and disk usage.
- Enable UFW firewall.
- Allow SSH, HTTP and HTTPS.
- Install or prepare Nginx.
- Point DNS A record to the VPS IP.
- Prepare SSL.
- Create an initial backup plan.
Verification Steps
- Confirm SSH login works.
- Run ufw status.
- Run nginx -t if Nginx is installed.
- Open the VPS IP or domain in browser.
- Confirm disk space is not full.
Rollback Plan
If the server becomes unreachable after firewall changes, use the VPS provider console to log in and adjust UFW rules. If Nginx config breaks, restore the previous server block and reload Nginx.
Common Mistakes
- Opening too many ports.
- Skipping firewall setup.
- Using production traffic before SSL works.
- Forgetting backup before installing apps.
- Not recording server details.
Related Commands
ssh root@your_server_ip
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
timedatectl
free -h
df -h
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 80
sudo ufw allow 443
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status