Documentation
Everything you need to install, configure, and manage hstPanel — the one-time-purchase hosting control panel for your VPS.
Installation Guide
Full stack setup in one command. Apache, PHP 8.3, MariaDB, email, and more.
Quick Start
Get from fresh VPS to running panel in under 10 minutes.
cPanel Guide
Domains, email, files, databases, security — for hosting account users.
WHM Admin Guide
Server management, account creation, services, and firewall for admins.
Reseller Guide
Set up hosting plans, manage clients, and configure white-label branding.
API Reference
REST API endpoints for automating panel management and integrations.
Troubleshooting
Diagnose and fix common install and runtime issues.
FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about hstPanel.
What is hstPanel?
hstPanel is a self-hosted web hosting control panel — a cPanel alternative you buy once and own forever. It runs on your Ubuntu VPS, installs a complete hosting stack in a single command, and gives you a modern dark-themed interface to manage every aspect of your server and hosting accounts.
v3.0.0 ships with a live SSH dashboard, service management, domain tools, email accounts, file manager, MySQL databases, security controls, and a reseller/WHM interface — all accessible from any browser on port 8443.
System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (64-bit) | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (64-bit) |
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB+ |
| Disk | 10 GB free | 20 GB+ SSD |
| CPU | 1 vCPU | 2+ vCPUs |
| Network | Static IP address | Static IP + reverse DNS |
| Server state | Fresh install (no existing stack) | Fresh install |
Fresh server required. Running the installer on a server with an existing Apache, nginx, or MySQL installation may cause port conflicts. Always start with a clean OS image.
Stack Installed
One command installs and configures the entire hosting stack:
| Component | Version | Role |
|---|---|---|
| nginx | 1.24+ | Reverse proxy — ports 80/443 |
| Apache | 2.4 | PHP hosting — port 8090 (internal) |
| PHP | 8.3 | Server-side scripting + 12 extensions |
| MariaDB | 11.4 | MySQL-compatible database server |
| Postfix | 3.x | SMTP mail transfer agent |
| Dovecot | 2.x | IMAP/POP3 mail server |
| ClamAV | latest | Antivirus — auto-updated database |
| Fail2ban | latest | Brute-force protection |
| Node.js | 20 LTS | hstPanel API server runtime |
| PM2 | latest | Process manager for API server |
Quick Install
Run as root on a fresh Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 server:
bash <(curl -sSL https://hstpanel.net/install.sh)Then open the panel at https://YOUR-SERVER-IP:8443
New to hstPanel? Start with the Quick Start guide for a step-by-step walkthrough from fresh VPS to live panel.