---
title: "Deploy Penpot"
description: "Penpot open-source figma like design tool for design and code collaboration"
category: "Other"
url: https://railway.com/deploy/penpot
---

# Deploy Penpot

Penpot open-source figma like design tool for design and code collaboration

**[Deploy Penpot on Railway](https://railway.com/template/penpot)**

- **Creator:** Şükrü
- **Category:** Other
- **Total deploys:** 60

## Template content

### exporter https://i.ibb.co/Y74Mtyk5/30179644-s-200-v-4.png

- **Image:** penpotapp/exporter

### minio https://devicons.railway.app/minio

- **Image:** minio/minio:latest
- **Start command:** `minio server /mnt/data`
- **Public domain:** Yes

### postgres https://devicons.railway.app/i/postgresql.svg

- **Image:** ghcr.io/railwayapp-templates/postgres-ssl:17

### valkey https://valkey.io/img/valkey-horizontal.svg

- **Image:** valkey/valkey:8.1

### frontend https://i.ibb.co/Y74Mtyk5/30179644-s-200-v-4.png

- **Image:** penpotapp/frontend:latest
- **Public domain:** Yes

### backend https://i.ibb.co/Y74Mtyk5/30179644-s-200-v-4.png

- **Image:** penpotapp/backend:latest
- **Public domain:** Yes

## Documentation

# Deploy and Host Penpot on Railway

Penpot is an open‑source, web‑based design and prototyping tool that
enables teams to collaborate visually. Built using open standards,
Penpot works entirely in the browser and provides flexibility for both
designers and developers.

## About Hosting Penpot

Hosting Penpot involves deploying multiple interconnected services that
handle storage, rendering, collaboration, and data persistence. When
hosting on Railway, these services are provisioned through managed
containers and databases, allowing you to run Penpot reliably without
manual infrastructure setup. Deployment requires configuring environment
variables, linking services, and applying the necessary Penpot flags.
With Railway's automated builds and scaling features, keeping your
Penpot instance stable and performant becomes significantly easier.

## Common Use Cases

-   Running a private design/prototyping workspace for teams
-   Integrating Penpot into an existing development environment
-   Hosting a fully managed, scalable design platform without
    self‑maintained servers

## Dependencies for Penpot Hosting

-   Valkey (Redis-compatible cache)
-   Penpot Exporter (rendering/export service)
-   MinIO (S3-compatible storage)
-   PostgreSQL database
-   Penpot Frontend
-   Penpot Backend

### MinIO Setup Requirement

After the MinIO service is deployed and running, you must log in to the
MinIO console and **create a bucket named `penpot-assets`**.\
Penpot uses this bucket to store project assets, previews, and exported
files.\
If this bucket is not created, uploads and exports will not function
correctly.

### Deployment Dependencies

-   Penpot configuration documentation:
    https://help.penpot.app/technical-guide/configuration/
-   Penpot getting-started guide:
    https://help.penpot.app/technical-guide/getting-started/
-   Railway SMTP restrictions discussion:
    https://station.railway.com/questions/smtp-65969dff

### Implementation Details (OPTIONAL)

#### Default Flags Used in This Template

**Frontend:** - `enable-prepl-server`: Enables PREPL server, used by
internal tooling and manage.py.

**Backend:** - `disable-email-verification`: Disabled because SMTP is
blocked on Railway Hobby plans. - `enable-prepl-server`: Enables PREPL
server for internal communication.

#### SMTP Configuration for Railway Pro Users

If you are using a **Railway Pro plan**, SMTP becomes available.\
In this case, remove `disable-email-verification` and configure these
environment variables in the backend service:

    PENPOT_SMTP_DEFAULT_FROM: no-reply@example.com
    PENPOT_SMTP_DEFAULT_REPLY_TO: no-reply@example.com
    PENPOT_SMTP_HOST: penpot-mailcatch
    PENPOT_SMTP_PORT: 1025
    PENPOT_SMTP_USERNAME:
    PENPOT_SMTP_PASSWORD:
    PENPOT_SMTP_TLS: false
    PENPOT_SMTP_SSL: false

For more configuration details, refer to the template's Discuss page or
the official guide:\
https://help.penpot.app/technical-guide/getting-started/

## Why Deploy Penpot 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 Penpot 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.


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Open this page in a browser: https://railway.com/deploy/penpot