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No. PaperClip’s self-hosted installation guide does not require you to wipe an existing server. Reimaging is optional: choose it if you want a clean operating-system baseline, not because PaperClip requires one. If the machine contains data or services you still need, do not reimage until you have identified what must be retained. PaperClip’s installation documentation does not provide a complete backup-and-restore procedure.
Should you reimage your server?
Decide based on the server’s current contents and the level of isolation you want. A new VPS is one documented way to get a clean environment; installing on an existing compatible Linux server is not ruled out by the guide.
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| Your situation | Practical choice |
|---|---|
| The server runs services or holds files you still need | Do not reimage immediately. Identify the data, configuration, and services that must remain, then make a retention plan before making destructive changes. The PaperClip docs do not specify a full backup or restore workflow. |
| You want PaperClip isolated from existing workloads | Provision a separate Linux VPS. PaperClip’s guide describes a fresh VPS as a route to self-hosting. |
| You want a clean operating system and can safely discard the current setup | Reimage through your provider if it offers that option, or provision a new VPS. Provider-specific reimage steps are outside PaperClip’s installation guide. |
| You only want to try PaperClip for personal use | Consider the local installation path instead of changing a server. PaperClip’s CLI guide documents local onboarding and running the app. |
What server does a self-hosted installation need?
PaperClip’s VPS guide gives a starter baseline of 1 vCPU and 2 GB of RAM and uses Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS as reference distributions. Treat this as enough to get started, not a guarantee for every workload. The guide names DigitalOcean, AWS EC2, Google Cloud Compute Engine, Hetzner, Linode, and Vultr as provider examples; it does not establish a best provider or compare current prices.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The current official installation references specify Node.js 24.11 or newer for the managed installation path, with pnpm used as package tooling in the VPS guide. Requirements and commands can change, so check the current instructions before installing. The installation guide’s indexed text contains an inconsistent NodeSource command referring to a 20.x setup script; do not rely on that command over the stated runtime requirement. Follow the current managed-install instructions instead.
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- Quad-core (4 Core) processor core helps server process data quickly and reliably for maximum productivity
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How to prepare a public VPS installation
- Choose the machine and operating system. Provision a Linux VPS, using Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS as the guide’s reference distributions. Use the 1-vCPU, 2-GB-RAM baseline as a starting point rather than a workload guarantee. See PaperClip’s installation guide.
- Decide what must be retained before reimaging. If you are reusing a server, identify important data, configuration, and services before any destructive OS operation. The PaperClip guide is not a backup or restoration manual.
- Set up the public hostname before requesting HTTPS. Create a DNS A record that points your hostname to the server’s public IPv4 address, then allow time for the record to resolve. The guide’s public deployment sequence depends on the hostname being ready before certificate issuance.
- Configure inbound access. Allow ports 22, 80, and 443 for SSH, HTTP, and HTTPS as needed for the documented setup. Keep PaperClip behind the reverse proxy: the guide explicitly says, “Do not open port 3100 to the internet.”
- Install the runtime and package tooling. Use the current PaperClip instructions for Node.js 24.11 or newer and pnpm. The repository’s managed installation documentation covers installation and service behavior; do not substitute an older runtime setup command found in inconsistent indexed text.
- Use a dedicated service account and managed installation. For the VPS path, follow the guide’s advice to create and use a dedicated non-root service user. Use the documented managed-install/service approach if you want PaperClip to persist beyond an interactive shell.
- Check the service environment if startup fails. A service manager may use a different PATH or Node.js runtime from your interactive shell. Verify that the service can find the supported runtime, then consult the current install documentation for platform-specific service commands.
When local installation is a better fit
A local installation is distinct from deploying PaperClip on a public VPS and is documented for personal use. The CLI installation guide covers onboarding and running locally. For local development, the development setup guide says the normal workflow uses embedded PostgreSQL, so a separately installed PostgreSQL server is not needed for that workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What reimaging does—and does not—solve
A reimage gives you a fresh operating-system baseline, which can simplify setup when you do not want to share a machine with existing software. It also risks removing existing files, configuration, and services. PaperClip’s docs establish an installation path, not a requirement to wipe a server or a recovery process for restoring one. If you need a clean environment but cannot risk disrupting the current machine, a separate VPS avoids making the existing server the test of that decision.
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