If you are rebuilding the server that runs Ghost, first check your Ghost version and production database: those determine whether you should update or perform a full reinstall. Before replacing the server, preserve a complete backup—including themes, media, members, and routing files—then install Ghost on a supported environment and restore the publication in the documented order.
Decide whether to update Ghost or reinstall it
A server rebuild does not automatically require the same migration route for every Ghost site. Confirm the installed Ghost version and database before choosing a procedure. Ghost recommends a full reinstall for versions earlier than 3.0 and for production installations using SQLite; supported newer versions running MySQL may have version-specific update paths. Use Ghost’s update guide and reinstall guide for the path that matches your installation.
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- Record the Ghost version and identify whether the production database is MySQL or SQLite.
- Follow the applicable official version-specific instructions rather than assuming that a fresh install is always necessary.
- If the existing installation is one of the versions or database setups Ghost identifies for a full reinstall, plan a backup and restoration rather than an in-place server update.
Back up the publication before replacing the server
Do not rely on an Admin content export alone. Ghost’s documented ghost backup archive includes a JSON content export, a member CSV, installed themes, images and other media, and routing or redirect files. Keep the archive somewhere other than the server you are replacing, and verify that it is readable before proceeding. Ghost’s reinstall instructions describe a preliminary backup and, where their upgrade path applies, a full backup after updating to the latest minor version.
If you are making a manual backup, preserve themes, uploaded images and files, routes, and member exports separately as applicable. Ghost documents these items in its manual backup guide.
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Take extra care with Stripe memberships
For a site using Stripe in live mode, migration has additional dependencies. Ghost’s reinstall guide instructs administrators to remove members with Stripe customer IDs from Ghost before disconnecting, without cancelling those subscriptions in Stripe. It also describes removing old webhooks and reconnecting the same Stripe account to the new Ghost installation before importing paid members. Follow the current official instructions for your account’s state; deleting a member record in Ghost is not the same action as cancelling a Stripe subscription.
Prepare a supported server
Ghost’s hosting documentation currently recommends Ubuntu 24, Node.js 22 LTS, MySQL 8.0, NGINX, and systemd. It specifies at least 1 GB of memory and a non-root user for Ghost commands. These are version-sensitive recommendations; check the live Ghost hosting documentation when you prepare the replacement server. Ghost notes that it may run with other operating systems, databases, or web servers, but those combinations are not officially supported or widely adopted.
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For production, Ghost recommends enabling HTTPS, securing MySQL, limiting firewall access, and disabling SSH root and password logins in favor of SSH keys. Its intended scaling approach is to add a CDN and caching layer; clustering and sharding are not supported.
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Ghost-CLI’s production ghost install process checks the environment, prepares the install directory, downloads Ghost, and runs setup. Setup configures components including MySQL, NGINX, SSL, database migration, and the low-privilege Ghost user. Follow the current Ghost-CLI documentation for prerequisites and exact commands; the installation is not just a matter of copying the old server’s application directory.
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Restore the backup to the fresh installation
Ghost documents restoring the archive into a fresh installation. The archive workflow extracts the backup into the new installation’s content folder, sets ownership, restarts Ghost, and imports the content JSON. Reconnect Stripe in live mode before importing paid members if that applies, then import the member CSV. Use Ghost’s reinstall guide for the precise order and commands for your installation.
- Create the fresh Ghost installation on the replacement server using the production setup process.
- Extract the backup archive into the new installation’s
contentfolder, set ownership as directed, and restart Ghost. - Import the content JSON. If live Stripe memberships are involved, reconnect the same Stripe account before importing paid members.
- Import the member CSV, then check the restored publication, themes, media, and routing files.
Choose between self-hosting and Ghost(Pro)
Rebuilding a server is also a chance to decide who will handle ongoing operations. Ghost describes Ghost(Pro) as managed hosting, with setup, weekly updates, backups, security, and performance handled by Ghost. Self-hosting gives the operator more control but also leaves server maintenance to the team, which may need to arrange services such as email delivery, analytics, and a CDN.
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| Consideration | Self-hosting | Ghost(Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating-system and Ghost updates | The operator manages the server and Ghost maintenance. | Ghost handles updates as part of its managed hosting. |
| Backups and security | The operator is responsible for arranging and maintaining them. | Ghost handles backups and security as part of the managed service. |
| Control and access | More control over the server environment; requires server administration. | Less server-level administration for the publication team. |
| Additional services and cost | Account for hosting and any separately procured services, such as email delivery, analytics, or CDN. | Managed hosting bundles operational work; check Ghost’s current plans and terms. |
Ghost characterizes self-hosting as best for teams comfortable managing servers who want control over their environment. The choice is operational, not a guarantee that one option will always cost less. Ghost’s current hosting page describes the managed option and self-hosting trade-offs.
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