# Cipi

> Cipi is a Laravel-first open-source deploy CLI that also supports static sites and generic PHP apps. One command installs a complete production stack (Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, Valkey; optional PostgreSQL) on any Ubuntu VPS. It is CLI-first, with an optional self-hosted web control panel (GUI) you can install if you want a browser dashboard. MIT licensed, self-hosted alternative to Laravel Forge.

Full plain-text site content for LLM ingestion: https://cipi.sh/llms-full.txt

## Languages

Site is bilingual. Canonical trees:

- English: `https://cipi.sh/en/…` (English slugs) — `hreflang=x-default`
- Italian: `https://cipi.sh/it/…` (Italian slugs)

Root `/` and legacy bare paths (e.g. `/docs/…`, `/guides/…`) redirect to the matching language tree via Accept-Language / `cipi-lang` cookie (edge), with static `/en/…` fallbacks in `_redirects`.

Key facts:

- Install: `wget -O - https://cipi.sh/setup.sh | bash`
- Admin access: SSH as `cipi` user, then `sudo -s` to run `cipi` commands
- Optional web GUI: `cipi gui <domain>` installs an opt-in Laravel control panel to manage one or more servers from the browser; Cipi stays fully usable CLI-only without it. GUI supports .env / auth.json / Artisan / App commands (API 1.14+ / Cipi 5.0.3+), server cockpit — PHP, SSH, services, SMTP, health, IP whitelist (API 1.15+ / Cipi 5.0.6+), Octane create (API 1.13+ / Cipi 5.0+), and multi-engine MariaDB/PostgreSQL (API 1.12+ / Cipi 4.8+)
- Current release: Cipi **5.0.18**, panel API **1.20** (`cipi self-update` applies migrations through 5.0.18)
- Stack: Nginx, PHP 8.x, MariaDB (default), optional PostgreSQL, Valkey, Supervisor; optional Laravel Octane (FrankenPHP) beside FPM (v5.0+)
- Databases (v4.8.0+): MariaDB on 3306 + optional PostgreSQL on 5432; `cipi db install|uninstall|default|engines`; `--engine=mariadb|pgsql` on db/app commands
- www redirects (v4.8.0+): `cipi www add|force-to-root|force-from-root|clear|status`; `cipi ssl force` re-applies HTTPS redirect
- Panel API (`cipi/api` 1.20): REST + 50+ MCP tools; app `.env` / `auth.json` / Artisan / app-run / deploy-config (Cipi 5.0.3+); server cockpit — PHP install/default, SSH keys, services, SMTP, healthchecks, IP whitelist (Cipi 5.0.6+ / API 1.15+); `POST /api/apps` accepts `octane` and `engine`; list/show expose `octane`/`octane_port`; www + multi-engine DB endpoints (1.12+)
- PHP security patches: managed by Cipi (`cipi php upgrade`), not unattended-upgrades; weekly check Sunday 03:30 (v4.7.13+)
- S3 backups: staging dir defaults to /var/tmp, not /tmp (v4.7.14+); override via backup.json tmpdir or CIPI_BACKUP_TMPDIR
- SMTP: send via system `/etc/msmtprc` only (AppArmor/setgid-safe); legacy `/etc/cipi/.msmtprc` removed (v4.7.22 / migrations 4.7.20–4.7.22)
- Deploy SSH: `~/.ssh` must be mode 700 (not group-writable); `cipi app create` enforces it; `cipi app delete` purges orphan users/homes (v4.7.19)
- Panel API on Ubuntu 25.10+/26.04: sudo-rs sudoers, read-only /etc/cipi guards, open_basedir for log helpers, empty DBs in `cipi db list` (v4.7.18 / migrations 4.7.15–4.7.18)
- Integrations: GitHub/GitLab (auto webhook + deploy keys), custom Git via SSH, webhooks, MCP server for AI agents, deploy notifications (Slack, Telegram via CI examples)

## Docs (English)

- [Documentation Index](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/): Full technical documentation hub
- [Getting Started](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/getting-started): Installation, requirements, quick start, tech stack, app structure
- [Cipi Agent](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/agent): Laravel package `cipi/agent` — webhooks, health check, in-app MCP, database anonymizer ([GitHub](https://github.com/cipi-sh/agent))
- [Apps](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/apps): Create, manage, and configure Laravel and custom applications
- [Deploy & CI/CD](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/deploy): Zero-downtime deployments, Git integration, CI/CD pipelines, notifications
- [Infrastructure](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/infrastructure): PHP, databases, SSL, backups, workers, firewall, server management
- [CLI Client](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/cli-client): Remote `cipi-cli` — manage servers from the terminal via the REST API
- [Control Panel (GUI)](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/gui): Optional self-hosted web control panel — apps (incl. Octane / engine), databases, SSL, www, deploys, 2FA/TOTP, multi-server ([GitHub](https://github.com/cipi-sh/gui))
- [Advanced](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/advanced): REST API (1.20), server sync, vault encryption, SMTP, IP whitelist, log retention, advanced config
- [About Cipi](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/about): History, security model, design decisions, comparisons

## API & CLI

- [Installation & Quick Start](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/getting-started#installation): Server requirements, setup script, post-install access
- [Cipi API](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/advanced#cipi-api): Server REST API + MCP + Swagger — current package **1.20** (`cipi/api`, [release 1.20](https://github.com/cipi-sh/api/releases/tag/1.20), [GitHub](https://github.com/cipi-sh/api))
- [CLI Client](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/cli-client): Remote terminal client for apps, databases, SSL, deploys
- [WHMCS Module](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/advanced#whmcs): WHMCS provisioning module for billing automation
- [Agent — MCP Server](https://cipi.sh/en/docs/agent#agent-mcp): Model Context Protocol server for AI agents

## Guides (English)

- [Guides Index](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/): Free, practical guides on Laravel deployment, security, CI/CD, ecosystem, AI development and tooling
- [Deploy Laravel on an Ubuntu VPS](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/deploy-laravel-ubuntu-vps): Full production stack, manual steps vs one-command setup, hardening and operations
- [Laravel Security Checklist](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/laravel-security-checklist): Server + app hardening, dependency scanning, secrets, monitoring and incident response
- [The Laravel Ecosystem in 2026](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/laravel-ecosystem-2026): Octane, Horizon, Reverb, Livewire, Inertia, Filament, Pest — with adoption advice
- [CI/CD for Laravel](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/laravel-ci-cd-git-workflow): Git workflow, copy-paste GitHub Actions pipeline, zero-downtime deploys, safe migrations
- [Spec-Driven Development with AI Agents](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/spec-driven-development-ai-laravel): Specs over vibes, MCP, guardrails and a spec-to-production loop
- [The Self-Hosted Laravel Developer Stack](https://cipi.sh/en/guides/laravel-developer-stack-2026): Own deploys, error tracking, analytics, storage and more for the price of a VPS

## Comparisons (English)

- [Cipi Alternatives](https://cipi.sh/en/alternatives): Overview of how Cipi compares to popular Laravel deployment tools and server panels
- [Best Laravel Forge Alternatives 2026](https://cipi.sh/en/best-laravel-forge-alternatives): Buyer's guide — Cipi, Ploi, Coolify, Vito Deploy, Cleavr, RunCloud and Laravel Cloud compared
- [Laravel Forge Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-laravel-forge): Free, open-source, self-hosted alternative to Laravel Forge
- [Laravel Cloud Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-laravel-cloud): Self-hosted, fixed-cost alternative to the Laravel Cloud PaaS
- [Ploi Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-ploi): Free, open-source alternative to Ploi.io with no deploy limits
- [Cleavr Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-cleavr): Free, self-hosted alternative to Cleavr for Laravel teams
- [moss.sh Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-moss): Free, unlimited-deploy alternative to moss.sh
- [Kamal Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-kamal): Full server panel alternative to Kamal — native LEMP, not just Docker deploys
- [RunCloud Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-runcloud): Laravel-native, free alternative to RunCloud
- [ServerPilot Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-serverpilot): Laravel-native, free alternative to ServerPilot
- [CloudPanel Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-cloudpanel): Laravel-first, CLI-driven alternative to CloudPanel
- [Coolify Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-coolify): Laravel-native, CLI-first alternative to Coolify for teams that prefer a native LEMP stack over Docker
- [Dokku Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-dokku): Laravel-first alternative to Dokku with full server provisioning
- [Easypanel Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-easypanel): Laravel-native alternative to Easypanel without Docker overhead
- [Vito Deploy Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-vito-deploy): CLI-first, single-binary alternative to Vito Deploy
- [cPanel Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-cpanel): Lightweight, Laravel-native alternative to cPanel
- [DirectAdmin Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-directadmin): Free, Laravel-native alternative to DirectAdmin for dedicated VPS deploys
- [Plesk Alternative](https://cipi.sh/en/alternative-to-plesk): Lightweight, Laravel-native alternative to Plesk

## Optional (English)

- [What's New in Cipi 5](https://cipi.sh/en/whats-new): Everything new in Cipi 5 — Laravel Octane on FrankenPHP, Horizon, Reverb, PostgreSQL, Node build on deploy, pre-deploy snapshots, wildcard SSL via DNS-01, health checks, staging clones, resource limits
- [Cipi Discovery](https://cipi.sh/en/discovery): Interactive showcase and quick start guide
- [Cipi on GitHub](https://github.com/cipi-sh/cipi): Source code, issues, releases
- [Cipi Releases](https://github.com/cipi-sh/cipi/releases): Changelog and version history
- [WHMCS Module on GitHub](https://github.com/cipi-sh/whmcs): WHMCS provisioning module source code

## Italiano — Documentazione

- [Indice documentazione](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/)
- [Primi passi](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/primi-passi)
- [Cipi Agent](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/agent)
- [App](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/app)
- [Deploy](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/deploy)
- [Infrastruttura](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/infrastruttura)
- [Client CLI](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/client-cli)
- [Pannello di controllo (GUI)](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/gui)
- [Avanzato](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/avanzato)
- [Informazioni](https://cipi.sh/it/docs/informazioni)

## Italiano — Guide

- [Indice guide](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/)
- [Deploy Laravel su Ubuntu VPS](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/deploy-laravel-su-ubuntu-vps)
- [Checklist sicurezza Laravel](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/checklist-sicurezza-laravel)
- [Ecosistema Laravel 2026](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/ecosistema-laravel-2026)
- [CI/CD e workflow Git per Laravel](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/ci-cd-workflow-git-laravel)
- [Sviluppo spec-driven con AI](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/sviluppo-spec-driven-ai-laravel)
- [Stack developer self-hosted 2026](https://cipi.sh/it/guide/stack-developer-self-hosted-2026)

## Italiano — Confronti e pagine

- [Alternative a Cipi](https://cipi.sh/it/alternative)
- [Migliori alternative a Laravel Forge 2026](https://cipi.sh/it/migliori-alternative-a-laravel-forge)
- [Alternativa a Laravel Forge](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-laravel-forge)
- [Alternativa a Laravel Cloud](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-laravel-cloud)
- [Alternativa a Ploi](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-ploi)
- [Alternativa a Cleavr](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-cleavr)
- [Alternativa a moss.sh](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-moss)
- [Alternativa a Kamal](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-kamal)
- [Alternativa a RunCloud](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-runcloud)
- [Alternativa a ServerPilot](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-serverpilot)
- [Alternativa a CloudPanel](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-cloudpanel)
- [Alternativa a Coolify](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-coolify)
- [Alternativa a Dokku](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-dokku)
- [Alternativa a Easypanel](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-easypanel)
- [Alternativa a Vito Deploy](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-vito-deploy)
- [Alternativa a cPanel](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-cpanel)
- [Alternativa a DirectAdmin](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-directadmin)
- [Alternativa a Plesk](https://cipi.sh/it/alternativa-a-plesk)
- [Novità in Cipi 5](https://cipi.sh/it/novita)
- [Cipi Discovery](https://cipi.sh/it/discovery)