# Matrix server installation

## Prerequisites

- A Linux VM with Ubuntu Server (20.04 minimum, 22.04 recommended)
- A Domain name (can be root or subdomain) but it is a must the A record for the domain to be pointed to the server's public IP.
  - e.g. `example.com A 1.1.1.1`: Being `example.com` the domain record and `1.1.1.1` the public IP of the server

## Components

The following components are included in the installer:

1. Docker
2. Matrix backend (synapse)
3. Matrix frontend (element)
4. Matrix DB (PostgreSQL)
5. Matrix Admin Panel: `https://<URL>/admin`
6. Coturn server (required for voice chat/videocalls)
7. Nginx server (required for reverse proxying)
8. SSL certificate via LetsEncrypt with automatic renewal

## Installation

**Note**: Please remember that it's a prerequisite the Domain A record needs to be pointed to the server's public IP and resolving.

1. Copy `matrix.zip` to a server directory, recommended: `/tmp`
2. Unzip the file: `unzip matrix.zip`
3. Go to the directory and run the installer, you will need the domain name:

```shell
cd /tmp/matrix
./install.sh <DOMAIN>
```

4. Wait for the installer to finish. Enjoy the matrix server :)


## How to use the server

Simply open your favourite web browser and go to **https://<YOUR_DOMAIN>**, which will show the Element Web UI. Registrations are disabled by default.

## Creating users

The first user will need to be created via command line interface, this is unique and it will be the admin user. To do this simply:

1. SSH into the host
2. Go to the directory `/opt/matrix`
3. Create the user running the following command:

```shell
% cd /opt/matrix
% docker compose exec synapse register_new_matrix_user --user <USER_NAME> --password <PASSWORD> --admin --config /data/homeserver.yaml
```

From there after, you can just use the admin panel to create users, the admin panel is located in `https://<DOMIN>/admin` (it requires admin user login)