Introduction

Are you a small business owner, web developer, or freelancer looking to streamline your document management system? Look no further! Documenso is an open-source, easy-to-use solution that will revolutionize the way you handle documents. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Documenso, ensuring a smooth setup even if you’re new to the tech world. Follow along as we break down each step, from installing necessary tools to running Documenso on your machine.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the installation process, make sure you have the following:

• A computer with a Unix-like operating system (Linux, macOS)
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands
• Administrative privileges on your machine
• Internet connection

Estimated Time

• Total time: 45-60 minutes
• Each step: 5-10 minutes

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Install npm

First, we need to install Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager). These are essential for managing and running the JavaScript code that Documenso relies on.

Open your terminal.

Install Node.js and npm by running:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

sudo apt update refreshes the list of available packages and their versions, ensuring you install the latest versions.

sudo apt install nodejs npm installs Node.js and npm on your system.

Verify the installation:

node -v
npm -v

These commands check the installed versions of Node.js and npm to confirm successful installation. You should see version numbers displayed.

Step 2: Install Docker

Optional, full tutorial on how to install docker and docker compose, follow this link – Install Docker – Install Docker Compose

Update your package database:

sudo apt update

This command updates the package lists for upgrades and new installations, ensuring you get the latest package versions.

Install Docker:

sudo apt install docker.io

This installs Docker from the default Ubuntu repositories.

Start Docker and enable it to run at startup:

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

sudo systemctl start docker starts the Docker service immediately.

sudo systemctl enable docker configures Docker to start automatically at boot.

Verify the installation:

docker --version

This command checks the installed version of Docker to confirm it is working correctly.

Step 3: Install Docker Compose

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications.

Download the Docker Compose binary:

sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/1.29.2/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

curl -L fetches the Docker Compose binary from GitHub.

-o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose saves the binary to the /usr/local/bin directory.

Apply executable permissions:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

This command makes the Docker Compose binary executable.

Verify the installation:

docker-compose --version

This checks the installed version of Docker Compose to ensure it is installed correctly.

Step 4: Clone the Documenso Repository

Next, we’ll clone the Documenso repository from GitHub to your local machine. This repository contains all the code and resources needed for Documenso.

Navigate to your desired installation directory:

cd ~

cd ~ takes you to your home directory. You can choose any directory where you want to install Documenso.

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/documenso/documenso.git

This command copies the Documenso repository from GitHub to your local machine, giving you access to all its files and history.

Step 5: Configure Node.js Memory Allocation

To ensure Documenso runs smoothly, we need to increase the memory allocation for Node.js.

Export the NODE_OPTIONS variable:

export NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=8192"

This command sets the NODE_OPTIONS environment variable to increase the maximum memory allocation to 8 GB. This is important for handling large documents or heavy workloads efficiently.

Step 6: Prepare the Environment

Set up the environment by copying the example environment configuration. This step ensures all necessary configuration settings are in place for Documenso to run.

Change to the Documenso directory:

cd documenso

This command moves you into the Documenso directory, where all the project files are located.

Copy the example environment file:

cp .env.example .env

This command copies the example environment file to a new .env file, which you can customize later if needed. The .env file contains configuration settings that Documenso needs to run. This are the default best settings for running Documenso.

(Optional) Editing .env file

nano .env

This command will open the editor so you can edit system default settings. To see full list of  environment variables, visit this link

Step 7: Run Documenso

Finally, we’re ready to build and run Documenso. These commands will install all necessary dependencies and start the Documenso development server.

Install dependencies:

npm run dx

This command installs all the dependencies required by Documenso. Dependencies are external libraries or modules that your project needs to work properly.

Start the development server:

npm run dev

This command starts the Documenso development server, making the application accessible locally for you to start using and testing.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Documenso. This powerful tool will greatly enhance your document management process, making it more efficient and organized. Feel free to explore its features and integrate it into your workflow.

FAQ

Q1: What is Documenso?

• Documenso is an open-source document management system designed to streamline document handling for businesses and individuals.

Q2: Do I need prior coding experience to install Documenso?

• No, this guide provides step-by-step instructions suitable for beginners.

Q3: Can I install Documenso on Windows?

• While this guide focuses on Unix-like systems, you can install Documenso on Windows using a similar process with WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).

Q4: What if I encounter errors during installation?

• Check the error messages for clues, consult the Documenso GitHub issues page, or seek help from the community.

Q5: How can I contribute to the Documenso project?

• You can contribute by reporting issues, suggesting features, or submitting pull requests on the Documenso GitHub repository.