How do I deploy Kali Linux on Railway?

You can deploy Kali Linux on Railway by clicking the "Deploy Now" button on this page. Railway will automatically set up all the necessary services and configurations for you.

What are the system requirements?

Railway handles all the infrastructure requirements. You only need a web browser to deploy and manage your application.

Is this template free to use?

Yes, this template is free to use within your existing Railway account.

Can I customize this template?

Yes, you can fully customize this template. After deployment, you will have full control of what you've deployed in your Railway project.

How do I get support for this template?

You can get support through our community forum: kali-linux-3671ff12, or click "Get template help" for this template for more assistance.

Deploy and Host Kali Linux on Railway

Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed specifically for penetration testing, security auditing, and digital forensics. It provides a powerful, flexible platform trusted by security professionals worldwide and is accessed entirely via the command line using the Railway CLI.

About Hosting Kali Linux on Railway

Deploying Kali Linux on Railway uses the official kali-rolling Docker image in a lightweight, containerized environment. Railway handles orchestration, networking, and scaling, giving you instant access to a clean Kali Linux system without managing servers, SSH keys, or infrastructure manually.

A persistent volume is mounted at /data to retain installed tools, scripts, configurations, and collected artifacts across redeployments and restarts. This setup delivers an on-demand, cloud-hosted Kali Linux environment ideal for penetration testing labs, security research, and isolated experimentation.

> Important: The base Kali image does not include tools by default. This allows you to keep the environment minimal and install only what you need.

You can install tools manually, for example:

apt update && apt -y install

Or install predefined toolsets:

apt update && apt -y install kali-linux-headless

Common Use Cases

Penetration testing and red team labs
Security research and vulnerability analysis
Building custom Kali-based toolchains
Running scripts, exploits, and automation workflows
Isolated sandboxes for learning and training in cybersecurity

Dependencies for Kali Linux Hosting

Deployment Dependencies

Official Kali Linux rolling Docker image: kalilinux/kali-rolling Available on Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/kalilinux/kali-rolling
SSH access via Railway CLI for remote shell and diagnostics: https://docs.railway.app/guides/cli#ssh

SSH Usage

Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following set up:

Railway CLI installed on your local machine
Logged in to your Railway account using railway login

Usage

You can copy the exact SSH command directly from the Railway dashboard:

Open your project in the Railway dashboard
Right-click the Kali Linux service
Select “Copy SSH Command”
Paste the command into your local terminal to connect

Why Deploy Kali Linux on Railway?

Railway is a singular platform to deploy your infrastructure stack. Railway will host your infrastructure so you don't have to deal with configuration, while allowing you to vertically and horizontally scale it.

By deploying Kali Linux on Railway, you are one step closer to supporting a complete full-stack application with minimal burden. Host your servers, databases, AI agents, and more on Railway.