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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11You can self-host Shiny applications on an x86-64 Linux VPS by installing R, the Shiny R package, and the separate Shiny Server package, then placing each app under /srv/shiny-server/. The open-source server listens on port 3838 by default and can publish multiple apps at paths such as https://shiny.example.com/sales/. For a production deployment, put the listener behind HTTPS, restrict the firewall, run the service as its dedicated shiny account, and use an external identity layer or a paid Posit product if users must log in.
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What Shiny Server does
Shiny Server is the web server component for R Shiny applications. It accepts browser connections, starts and manages Shiny app sessions, and maps URL paths to application directories. A single VPS can therefore host several independent apps, for example /forecast/, /dashboard/, and /survey/.
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Choose a supported VPS before installing
Supported operating systems and architecture
The current Posit administrator guide supports x86-64 systems running:
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- RHEL 8 or later
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later LTS releases
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7
Older README files and blog posts can list historical platforms. Treat the current administrator guide as authoritative when you provision a new machine. Ubuntu 24.04 is also used in the official cloud deployment example, so an Ubuntu 24.04 VPS is a reasonable current choice.
VPS preparation checklist
- Create a non-root administrator account with
sudoaccess. Use root only for package installation and system changes. - Apply all operating-system updates and reboot if the kernel requires it.
- Set a stable host name and confirm the server clock is correct.
- Reserve a DNS name, such as
shiny.example.com, and plan whether the service will be public or reachable only through a private network. - Decide which inbound ports are needed. A typical public setup exposes SSH and HTTPS, while keeping Shiny’s port 3838 private.
- Choose disk and memory based on your apps. Large data sets, model fitting, image processing, and many concurrent sessions need more resources than a small demonstration app.
A VPS provider’s price, region, backup policy, and network limits vary, so select those independently of the Shiny software decision. The Shiny Server package itself does not include a VPS, R, or the Shiny R package.
Understand the deployment architecture
A reliable layout separates the public edge from the application listener:
- A DNS record points your hostname to the VPS.
- An HTTPS endpoint (Nginx, Apache, Caddy, or a cloud load balancer) handles certificates and encrypted browser traffic.
- The proxy forwards requests to Shiny Server on
127.0.0.1:3838, or to another private address. - Shiny Server reads its configuration from
/etc/shiny-server/shiny-server.confand serves applications from/srv/shiny-server/unless you configure another location. - The service runs under the system account
shiny, so that account must be able to read application files and any data they legitimately need.
You can expose port 3838 directly for a temporary test, using a URL such as http://HOST:3838/APP_NAME/. Do not treat that as a finished public deployment: it lacks the normal HTTPS, firewall, and certificate controls.
Install R and the Shiny package
The Shiny Server installer is separate. Posit’s guide explicitly states that it does not include R or the Shiny R package, so install both first.
Update Ubuntu and install prerequisites
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade
sudo apt install r-base gdebi-coreIf the distribution’s default R is too old for your applications, add the appropriate CRAN repository for that distribution, then repeat the package installation. Follow the repository’s instructions for your exact Ubuntu, RHEL, or SLES release rather than mixing packages from another release.
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Install Shiny system-wide
Install the package for all users so the shiny service account can load it:
sudo R -e 'install.packages("shiny")'R will ask you to select a CRAN mirror when one is not configured. For reproducible deployments, record the R version, the Shiny version, and the versions of every application-specific package. If an app uses packages such as database drivers or geospatial libraries, install their operating-system dependencies and R packages before testing through Shiny Server.
Verify the prerequisite
R --version
sudo R -e 'packageVersion("shiny")'The commands should return an installed R version and a Shiny package version without errors. Resolve missing shared libraries or compilation failures now; the Shiny Server process will not repair an incomplete R installation later.
Install Shiny Server on Ubuntu
Download the correct package
Obtain the current amd64 .deb installer from the official Shiny Server download area. Select the package matching your Ubuntu architecture and record the exact version in your deployment notes. Do not silently replace a tested package during a routine OS update.
Install the package
From the directory containing the downloaded file, run:
sudo gdebi shiny-server-<version>-amd64.debAccept the dependency installation when prompted. The package installs the server under /opt/shiny-server/, creates the shiny service account, and installs the standard configuration and service integration.
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If gdebi reports an unsatisfied dependency, run sudo apt update, correct the dependency, and rerun the installation. Avoid forcing a package from a different distribution release.
Start and enable the service
sudo systemctl enable --now shiny-server
sudo systemctl status shiny-serverThe status output should show an active service. If it fails, inspect the journal and the Shiny log before changing configuration:
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sudo tail -n 100 /var/log/shiny-server.logDeploy a first Shiny application
Use a minimal application first
Create a directory containing an app.R file (or the usual ui.R and server.R pair). Test it locally with R or RStudio on a development machine before copying it to the VPS. A minimal app should load quickly and avoid external databases while you validate the server.
Copy the app into the default site directory
sudo mkdir -p /srv/shiny-server/hello
sudo cp -r ./hello/* /srv/shiny-server/hello/
sudo chown -R shiny:shiny /srv/shiny-server/hello
sudo find /srv/shiny-server/hello -type d -exec chmod 755 {} ;
sudo find /srv/shiny-server/hello -type f -exec chmod 644 {} ;The default URL is:
http://YOUR_HOSTNAME:3838/hello/Keep application files readable by the service account, but do not make private data world-writable. If an app must write uploads, caches, or generated reports, create a narrowly scoped writable directory and grant only the permissions it needs. Never place passwords, API keys, or database credentials in a publicly served application directory.
Install application-specific packages
Every package imported by the app must be available to the R library used by the shiny account. Install packages system-wide, or configure a controlled library path and permissions. A common failure is testing successfully as your own login while the service account cannot see the package.
sudo -u shiny R -e 'library(shiny); sessionInfo()'Run a similar check for important dependencies. If it fails, install the missing package or correct the library path rather than changing file permissions broadly.
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Configure routes, listeners, and logs
The main configuration file is /etc/shiny-server/shiny-server.conf. The default listener is port 3838. Back up the file and keep a copy in a private configuration repository before editing it.
Typical site configuration
A basic configuration can look like this:
run_as shiny;
server {
listen 3838;
location / {
site_dir /srv/shiny-server;
log_dir /var/log/shiny-server;
directory_index on;
}
}This expresses the default site directory, listener, and log location. Configuration directives can differ by Shiny Server release and by whether you use single-app, multiple-app, or proxy locations, so validate the syntax against the administrator guide for the version you installed.
Change the listener deliberately
Leave port 3838 when nothing else uses it and the proxy can reach it locally. Change it if another service occupies the port or if your network design requires a different private listener. If you change it, update the reverse-proxy target, firewall rules, monitoring checks, and any local health checks together.
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Apply and verify edits
sudo systemctl restart shiny-server
sudo systemctl status shiny-server
sudo tail -n 100 /var/log/shiny-server.logMake one logical change at a time. A syntax error can prevent the service from restarting; the log usually identifies the file and line that need correction.
Put the VPS behind HTTPS and a domain
DNS and certificate sequence
- Create an A or AAAA record for your chosen host name that points to the VPS address.
- Wait for DNS to resolve from the networks your users will use.
- Obtain a trusted certificate for that name through your certificate authority or ACME client.
- Configure the HTTPS endpoint and proxy it to the private Shiny listener.
- Allow the HTTPS port through the VPS firewall, then test both the certificate and an actual app session.
Shiny Server has documented native SSL directives, so it can terminate TLS itself. A reverse proxy is often easier to operate because it centralizes certificate renewal and lets you keep port 3838 off the public network.
Nginx reverse-proxy example
The following illustrates the important proxy behavior, including WebSocket forwarding used by interactive sessions:
server {
listen 80;
server_name shiny.example.com;
location / {
proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:3838;
proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
proxy_read_timeout 120s;
}
}Use your proxy’s normal HTTPS configuration and certificate-renewal method rather than copying a certificate path from another server. After enabling TLS, redirect plain HTTP to HTTPS and confirm that an app can load, submit inputs, and maintain a live session.
Firewall policy
With Ubuntu’s uncomplicated firewall, a restrictive starting point is:
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status verboseDo not allow 3838 from the entire Internet when the proxy connects over loopback. Temporarily open it only when you need a controlled diagnostic, then remove the rule. Ensure your SSH rule permits your actual administration network before enabling the firewall, or you can lock yourself out.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Authentication: what open source does and does not provide
Open-source Shiny Server does not provide built-in user authentication. Posit’s documentation states that requiring user authentication is not available in the open-source edition. Anyone who can reach an unprotected app URL can use that app, so do not publish confidential data on the assumption that a login screen exists.
When you need accounts and roles
- Shiny Server Pro: choose this when you want Shiny-specific authentication and administration features with a commercial support path.
- Posit Connect: choose this when you need a broader publishing platform, integrated authentication, content governance, and operational controls.
- External access-control proxy: place an identity-aware proxy, VPN, or organizational single sign-on gateway in front of the open-source listener. Operate and patch that layer separately from Shiny Server.
Do not implement a password form inside the Shiny UI as a substitute for network authentication. Application-level checks can be bypassed or can expose data before a check runs; protect the route before it reaches the app.
Open source, Pro, and Connect compared
| Capability | Open-source Shiny Server | Shiny Server Pro | Posit Connect |
|---|---|---|---|
| License and cost model | Free, AGPLv3-licensed software; you operate the VPS and maintenance. | Commercial license; pricing and terms depend on the deployment. | Commercial publishing platform; pricing and terms depend on the deployment. |
| Built-in user authentication | Not available. | Available through Pro features and configured identity systems. | Available through integrated authentication options. |
| Administration and monitoring | Linux service files, configuration, logs, and your own monitoring. | More Shiny-specific administration and operational controls. | Broader content administration, governance, and monitoring. |
| Deployment workflow | Copy app directories, install R packages, and edit server configuration. | Shiny deployment with additional administration features. | Publish and manage content through the platform’s publishing workflow. |
| Scaling responsibility | You size the VPS, proxy, and supporting services and plan scaling yourself. | Provides more features for managed Shiny operations; infrastructure planning still matters. | Designed for managed publishing and multiple content types; capacity and architecture still require planning. |
| Best fit | Operators who are comfortable with Linux and external security controls. | Teams that need authenticated Shiny hosting and vendor-supported administration. | Organizations needing integrated authentication, governance, and a fuller publishing service. |
Troubleshoot the failures you are most likely to see
The service will not start
- Run
sudo systemctl status shiny-serverand inspectjournalctl -u shiny-server. - Check the last edits in
/etc/shiny-server/shiny-server.conffor missing braces, invalid directives, or a listener conflict. - Confirm that the configured port is free and that the
shinybinary and service files are present.
The browser shows a 502 or connection refused
- Verify that Shiny Server is active and listening on the port configured in the proxy.
- Use a local request such as
curl http://127.0.0.1:3838/from the VPS to separate proxy problems from Shiny problems. - Check that the proxy target uses the correct address and port and that its timeout is not too short for the app’s startup time.
The app appears but fails to start
- Read
/var/log/shiny-server.logimmediately after reproducing the error. - Run the app’s package imports as
sudo -u shinyto expose library and permission differences. - Check that the application directory contains the expected
app.Rorui.R/server.Rfiles. - Install missing system libraries and R packages, then restart the service and test again.
Interactive controls disconnect
- Confirm that the reverse proxy uses HTTP/1.1 and forwards
UpgradeandConnectionheaders. - Increase proxy read timeouts for long-running sessions.
- Check whether a load balancer, corporate proxy, or firewall is terminating idle WebSocket connections.
HTTPS works but assets or links use HTTP
Pass the original host and protocol headers from the proxy, verify the proxy’s forwarded-protocol settings, and inspect the browser developer tools for mixed-content requests. Correct the proxy and app base-path configuration rather than disabling browser security.
Operate the VPS after launch
Service lifecycle
sudo systemctl enable shiny-server
sudo systemctl start shiny-server
sudo systemctl stop shiny-server
sudo systemctl restart shiny-server
sudo systemctl status shiny-serverUse restart only after a deliberate configuration or package change. For routine diagnosis, status output, the system journal, and /var/log/shiny-server.log provide the first evidence.
Backups and change control
- Back up
/etc/shiny-server/shiny-server.conf, application directories, environment files, and any data stores that the apps depend on. - Keep package versions, R versions, and OS release information with each deployment.
- Test restoring an app and its configuration on a separate VPS, not only copying backup files.
- Keep secrets outside source control and rotate them after accidental exposure.
Updates and capacity
Apply security updates to the OS, R, Shiny, the server package, and application dependencies on a planned schedule. Test updates with a copy of the app before changing the production VPS. Monitor memory, CPU, disk space, process count, response time, and application errors; interactive R sessions can consume substantially more memory than a static web page. When one VPS is no longer sufficient, separate the proxy, application tier, and data services or move to a platform designed for managed scaling.
Production readiness checklist
- Supported x86-64 distribution and current security updates
- Non-root administrator with working SSH access
- R and the Shiny package installed and tested as the
shinyaccount - Shiny Server package version recorded and installed from the matching amd64 installer
- Application files owned or readable by
shiny, with no secrets in the public directory - Configuration backed up and validated
- DNS record resolving to the VPS
- Trusted HTTPS certificate with an announced renewal process
- Reverse proxy tested with WebSocket-capable interactive sessions
- Firewall exposing only required ports
- Authentication or network access controls appropriate to the data
- Log review, backups, monitoring, and a rollback plan
Once these checks pass, open-source Shiny Server provides a straightforward, self-managed way to publish several R applications from one Linux VPS. Its boundaries are equally important: you supply the infrastructure, security controls, authentication layer, backups, and ongoing maintenance.
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