---
title: "How to install GitLab on your own domain"
date: 2015-02-24
categories: engineering
author: Job van der Voort
image_title: '/images/stock/installing.jpeg'
author_twitter: Jobvo
---

Want to get your first own GitLab instance running?
We're here to help!

This is what you need to do:

1. Get a VM
2. Point your domain to GitLab
3. Install GitLab
4. Use GitLab

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<br />

## 1. Get a VM

It's a good time to want to have a VM.
You can get one cheap and easily from:

- DigitalOcean
- Amazon AWS
- Google Compute
- Microsoft Azure
- Dreamhost
- Linode

If it's just for you, almost any size will do.
We [recommend](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/doc/install/requirements.md#cpu)
to get a VM with 2 cores and 2GB of memory.
It can handle you and all your friends.

DigitalOcean is particularly nice to use and even has a one-click install
for GitLab, which bypasses this tutorial completely!

If you have the option to set the domain name in the process,
set it to the domain where you want your GitLab domain to be.

![set hostname](/images/how_to/hostname.png)

You can create a VM with any of the supported OS's,
but if you have no preference, use Ubuntu 14.04 x64.

![choose os](/images/how_to/choose_os.png)

Create the VM and take note of the assigned IP for your domain.

![take not of ip](/images/how_to/ip.png)

## 2. Point your domain to GitLab

At the place you bought your domain name,
you want to point your GitLab domain to the IP address you noted.

Create an A-Type record set with the GitLab domain as name
and the IP address as value.

That may sound arcane, but most domain-resellers make it quite easy.

In my case, I'm pointing `104.236.58.42` (IP) to `gitlab.jobvandervoort.com`.

## 3. Install GitLab

Go into your new VM by pointing your terminal to your new domain:

```
ssh root@gitlab.jobvandervoort.com
```

If you're using DigitalOcean, you can also use their web console.

Next, install Postfix:

```
sudo apt-get install postfix
```

Select `Internet site`. Just keep hitting ENTER. The defaults will work.

Download and unpack GitLab! We're getting GitLab 7.8.0 Community Edition.
It comes together with GitLab CI 7.8.0 and is full of awesomeness.

```
wget https://downloads-packages.s3.amazonaws.com/ubuntu-14.04/gitlab_7.8.0-omnibus-1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i gitlab_7.8.0-omnibus-1_amd64.deb
```

Configure and start GitLab:

```
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure
```

## 4. Use GitLab

Go to your domain and sign in! Use these credentials for the first time:

```
Username: root
Password: 5iveL!fe
```

Have fun!