Multiple deployment entry points
Connect a Git repository or local project and deploy through the dashboard, CLI, desktop app, or an AI agent using MCP. The platform detects common stacks and build commands.
Openship
Openship is an open-source deployment platform for building and running apps on Openship Cloud or your servers, with Git, containers, TLS, monitoring, and self-hosting.
Open-source deployment across cloud and self-managed infrastructure
Openship is an open-source deployment platform for building and running applications on Openship Cloud or infrastructure you manage. It connects to Git repositories or local project folders, detects supported application stacks, builds container images, and ships them to a target over SSH.
The platform combines deployment, routing, runtime operations, and supporting services in one control plane. It provides domains with automatic TLS, private service networking, logs, metrics, and one-click rollback to earlier immutable versions. The full platform can be self-hosted under Apache 2.0, while Openship Cloud provides managed servers, edge services, and backups through paid plans.
Deployment and infrastructure features
Container-based deployment workflow
Builds produce immutable, versioned artifacts and can run on the local machine or in the cloud. Artifacts are transferred to the target over SSH and started as fresh containers.
Domains, TLS, and routing
Attach custom domains with automatic, renewing Let's Encrypt certificates. Openship also provides edge routing, DNS management, private networking, and WebSocket support.
Managed supporting services
Run application services alongside managed PostgreSQL, Redis, object storage, mail, and other listed service options. The homepage describes private networking for service communication.
Operations and rollback
Stream logs and monitor resource metrics, use health checks and traffic routing, and deploy with rolling or blue-green behavior. Previous immutable versions can be restored without rebuilding.
Team and security controls
Use workspaces, team roles, per-resource access controls, encrypted secrets, and an exportable audit log to manage collaborative deployments.
Practical use cases
Deploying web applications from Git
Connect a repository, enable automatic deployment, and publish application changes when commits land. Preview deployments can provide a separate URL for pull requests before they are merged.
Self-managed application hosting
Run the platform on a VPS, bare-metal machine, or homelab when the team wants to control its infrastructure. The self-hosted installation can run on a local computer or owned servers.
Hybrid cloud and private infrastructure
Use Openship Cloud for managed hosting while placing selected workloads or services on owned infrastructure. The site describes this as a hybrid setup with one control plane and portable containers.
Day-to-day application operations
Operate services after deployment with streamed logs, resource metrics, scheduled jobs, domain management, and rollback to a previous application version.
CLI, desktop, and AI-assisted workflows
Deploy from a terminal, desktop application, or authenticated MCP client when developers or automation need alternatives to the web dashboard.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Open-source and free to self-host under Apache 2.0, with no Openship subscription or per-seat fees for self-hosted use.
- Supports deployment from Git or local code through a dashboard, CLI, desktop app, and MCP-enabled AI clients.
- Keeps applications portable as standard containers that can move between Openship Cloud and self-managed servers.
- Includes operational features such as automatic TLS, live logs, monitoring, immutable versions, and rollback support.
Cons
- Self-hosting leaves infrastructure costs and operational responsibilities with the user, including servers, bandwidth, and third-party services.
- Openship Cloud uses metered usage credits and shared organization capacity; continuous hosting may require top-ups, and services must fit per-service and plan limits.
- Detailed environment and integration behavior can vary by deployment target, so teams should verify requirements for their specific infrastructure and workload.
FAQ
How do I install and start Openship?
Openship can run locally on macOS, Linux, or Windows. The CLI setup can run as a lightweight process, or on Linux use Docker when it is installed. The quickstart describes installation through the shell script or npm, followed by the interactive `openship` setup command.
How does a deployment work?
Create a project in the dashboard from a GitHub repository or local folder. Openship detects the application type, builds it, streams live build logs, and provides a link when deployment finishes. Deployments can also be initiated with `openship init` and `openship deploy`.
Where do builds and applications run?
Builds can run on the local machine or in the cloud, while the resulting immutable, versioned image is sent to the target over SSH and started as a container. The target can be Openship Cloud or a server you manage.
Is Openship free?
The full Openship platform is free to self-host under the Apache 2.0 license. Self-hosting does not include infrastructure costs such as servers, bandwidth, or third-party services. Openship Cloud is a paid managed option with monthly plans and usage credits.
What are the main Cloud and self-hosting limitations?
Openship Cloud plans have organization-wide capacity and service limits, and usage credits cover metered app and build usage. Continuous hosting can require top-ups. Self-hosted deployments do not have Openship subscription or per-seat fees.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer tool; deployment platform
- Deployment targets
- Openship Cloud, VPS, bare metal, or homelab servers
- Supported environments
- macOS, Linux, and Windows for local setup
- Source license
- Apache 2.0 for self-hosted Openship
- Deployment inputs
- GitHub, GitLab, Git remotes, or local project folders
- Primary interfaces
- Web dashboard, CLI, Mac/Windows desktop app, and MCP
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