Full Guide to Auto-Deploy a Spring Boot Backend (VPS Server, GitHub Actions, HTTPS, Security)

In this video, you'll learn how you can deploy a JAR-based backend (Spring Boot, Ktor, etc.) to a self-hosted VPS instance from Hetzner for just 3$/month.
I'll walk you through creating the VPS instance, connecting to it via SSH, securing it via a custom user account, setting up and running a systemd service, setting up Nginx as a reverse-proxy with our own SSL certificate and custom domain and lastly how we can automate this deployment via a GitHub Actions pipeline when pushing to the master branch.

Get 20€ worth of Hetzner credits to create your VPS instance:

Get the Nginx config file for sites-available:

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00:00 - Introduction
3:07 - VPS Hosting
7:36 - Setting up the VPS
19:14 - Copying the SSH key for existing servers
23:52 - Creating an admin user
35:55 - Creating an SSH alias
38:58 - Installing Java
40:53 - Pushing the JAR to our server
46:06 - Systemd service setup
58:42 - SSL & Custom domain setup
1:08:08 - GitHub Actions automation
1:18:26 - Permitting service relaunch without sudo
1:20:11 - Creating a GitHub repository secret
1:21:40 - Testing everything
1:27:35 - Configuring a firewall

[shubhans]

It will be best tutorials to Backend Host, which needs us, thanks Philips 💙💙

[Ayor]

Great tutorial as always. I find it complementary to your android tutorials since it help to design the architecture and understand the impact of your choices.

Yes it's 1h30 but it's not an "'indian guy tutorial". Here everything is clear and well explained. You know why you do something instead of just "do this or that".

[Godxuche]

Amazing work! 👏

Please when done with Springboot, I'd really appreciate Ktor full series like this. Thank you in advance 🙏

[importswift]

Again, another great Video exactly in right moment! Thank you for packing this know-how in such a digestible form. This Video together with "2025 Backend Dev Crash Course for Beginners" made my first steps in this area mega productive. Your explanations of the significance of steps needed "what and why" help deeper understanding how things work under the hood. Great Job!
Grüße aus Berlin

[undeadredemption_]

Completed SSL & Custom domain setup and got it working with an ssl certificate, thanks Philipp you are a LEGEND💥

[rajiac]

Thanks a lot Philip, reached the domain registration step, now have to buy one to continue 👍


I did it now, sooooper happy

[laminouhamadou]

thanks for all efforts you deploy every week to make us improve our knowledge

[amenayari]

spring the best backend for big company you give as a treasure think you phlipp please continue in springboot you will have the most view in your content and all will support u

[PurnaPlayss]

Next video for connecting the backend with mobile app please 🙏

[DidarSeyidov]

More backend related videos please( nginx, docker, ...)

[PcYioI-a]

Why did you stop uploading videos on KMP? I love them.

[NikNewNik]

Thank you very much, Philipp!
I would like another Kotlin/Compose Multiplatform course from you, paid or free🙂
Already watched your 5h30min free course - loved it, learned a lot👍💚

[mekalasiva]

That's incredibly valuable, thank you pl🎉🎉

[riezkymaisyar]

wonderfull!, I've been waiting a long time for this tutorial 🥳🥳🥳

[progdeelite]

Super cool! hat mir sehr gut gefallen Phillip. Top!🤩

[rishabhpal]

Just Completed this video, Amazing Content. Thanks Philipp ❤❤

[JLcode]

Amazing job Phillip. Now the only part missing is client Android app😊

[belkocik]

Would love to see a CI/CD with Docker similar to this video.

[ИльяШелковенко]

Super usefull, thanks again, you did realy great job

[saddam_howladar_dev]

please make a series about ktor backend