Server Setup Cheat Sheet

Step 01

Connect to Server

SSH into your Droplet

PowerShell — Your PC

ssh root@YOUR_IP

Step 02

Update & Upgrade

Update all packages to latest versions

Server Terminal

RememberIf asked about config files, choose "keep the local version currently installed"

Step 03

Reboot

Restart after major upgrades — wait 30 seconds then reconnect

Server Terminal

Step 04

Install Nginx

Web server to serve your sites

Server Terminal

Step 05

Install Certbot

SSL certificate tool (Let's Encrypt)

Server Terminal

Step 06

Firewall Setup

Run in this exact order — SSH first or you'll get locked out!

Server Terminal — RUN IN ORDER!

Step 07

Security Hardening

SSH verify + auto updates + Fail2Ban

7.1 — Verify password login disabled:

Server Terminal

7.2 — Auto security updates:

Server Terminal

7.3 — Fail2Ban:

Server Terminal

Step 08

Block Direct IP Access

Create file: /etc/nginx/sites-available/00-block-ip

Nginx Config — 00-block-ip

server {
    listen 80 default_server;
    server_name _;
    return 444;
}

Server Terminal

Step 09

Create Nginx Configs

Add your domains — configs, SSL commands, and DNS records generate automatically

Step 10

Install SSL Certificates

Auto-generated from your domains above

After all SSL installed:

Server Terminal

Step 11

DNS A Records

Add these in your domain registrar

Reference

Quick Commands

Common commands you'll use often

Handy Commands

Built By Love Chauhan Deeply curious about tech & innovation. I learn it, I use it, I share it 🔥