Self-Host Niva – Your Own Digital Companion

Want complete control over your Niva? We get it. Sometimes it's comforting to know your personal data really stays with you. This guide will help you install Niva on your own server. Don't worry – we'll walk you through the process step by step.

Is Self-Hosting Right for Me?

Self-hosting isn't for everyone. Here's an honest assessment:

Self-hosting is perfect if you:

• Want full control over your data
• Are technically curious (or know someone who can help)
• Have your own server or computer that can run 24/7
• Enjoy experimenting and learning

The hosted version might be better if you:

• Want to get started without technical barriers
• Don't want to worry about updates and maintenance
• Prefer to spend time with Niva rather than server administration
• Don't have your own server infrastructure

What You Need

Hardware Requirements

• At least 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
• 20GB free disk space
• Stable internet connection
• Computer/server that can run 24/7

Software Prerequisites

• Docker and Docker Compose
• Git (to download the code)
• Basic command line knowledge
• Optional: Your own domain for HTTPS

Installation – Step by Step

Follow these steps to get your own Niva instance running:

1. Download the code

Get the Niva source code from GitHub:

2. Create configuration

Copy the example configuration and customize it:

3. Start Niva

Start all services with Docker Compose:

4. Configure Signal

Follow the instructions in SETUP.md to connect Niva to your Signal account. This is the most important step so Niva can communicate with you.

Getting Help

Stuck somewhere? That's completely normal! Here's where to find support:

• 📚 Read the detailed SETUP.md on GitHub
• 💬 Email us through the contact form
• 🐛 Create an issue on GitHub if you find a bug
• 💡 Check the discussions on GitHub for tips and tricks

Next Steps

Once your Niva instance is running, you can start using it! If you have questions or need support, feel free to reach out.