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cloud-init Generator

A bootstrap file for a new Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS, to paste into the user-data field when you create the server. It prepares the server; it doesn't deploy anything.

Server settings

Operating system

Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS

The only version the file is checked against for now.
One per line, for example the contents of ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub. Required, because password login is disabled. Keys stay on this page: they aren't saved, put in the link or sent anywhere.
The user you log in with over SSH. It gets sudo.
Exposure mode
Apps listen on 127.0.0.1 only; reach them through an SSH tunnel. ufw allows SSH.
Opens 2222/tcp. Only with a proxy exposure mode.
Off by default: the docker group is equivalent to root access. Without it, run sudo docker ….
Little benefit while password login is off; there if you want it.
Helps small servers; it doesn't replace RAM.
An IANA name, for example Etc/UTC or Europe/Berlin.
Leave empty to keep the name your provider sets.

Generated file

Add at least one SSH public key to generate the file.

Preparation, not deployment

  • ANAROQ doesn't create servers, connect to providers or log in anywhere. You paste the file yourself when you create a server, at a provider you choose.
  • The file starts no Docker Compose stack. Compose files need their placeholders filled in first, and you start them yourself.
  • ufw protects services that run on the host, such as SSH. It does not filter ports that Docker containers publish, because Docker routes them before ufw sees them. Don't publish ports you don't need.
  • No passwords: the user's password is locked and you log in with your key.

Supported scope

Operating system
Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS only. Other versions come after they are verified.
Architecture
amd64 is the tested target. arm64 works with Docker, but app images weren't checked.
Schema
Official cloud-config schema of cloud-init 26.2, pinned in the engine.
Docker
Docker Engine and the Compose plugin from download.docker.com. The signing key is embedded; fingerprint 9DC8 5822 9FC7 DD38 854A E2D8 8D81 803C 0EBF CD88.

How to use it

  1. Paste your SSH public key and pick the options.
  2. Copy the file or download user-data.yaml.
  3. When you create an Ubuntu 24.04 server, paste it into the field your provider calls user data, cloud-init or custom data.
  4. After the first boot, log in with ssh and the user name you chose. The first boot takes a few minutes longer, because the system is upgraded and Docker is installed.

Known to accept user-data

cloud-init has a built-in data source for these providers. This is information, not a recommendation; we haven't tested any of them.

  • AWS EC2
  • Azure
  • Google Cloud
  • DigitalOcean
  • Vultr
  • Akamai (Linode)
  • UpCloud
  • Scaleway
  • Oracle Cloud
  • OpenStack
  • Hetzner

Questions

What is cloud-init?
The standard tool that configures a cloud server on its first boot. It reads a user-data file; a file that starts with #cloud-config describes the configuration as YAML.
Are my SSH keys sent anywhere?
No. The file is generated in your browser. Keys aren't stored, aren't put in the page link and aren't sent to ANAROQ or to analytics. A shared link carries only the options; the keys have to be pasted again.
What if I paste a private key by mistake?
The field is cleared at once and you get a warning. Nothing is kept or sent, but the key has been in your clipboard, so consider replacing it.
Is the file checked?
Every file is validated in your browser against the official cloud-config schema of the pinned cloud-init version. A schema check confirms the structure; it doesn't boot a server.
Why isn't the user in the docker group?
Membership in the docker group is equivalent to root access. The option exists, but it is off by default; without it, use sudo docker.
Does it start my apps?
No. It installs Docker and prepares the server. Starting a Compose stack is a separate step that you take after filling in its settings.