Own Your Stack
Learn to Host

Learn how to provision a real server, register a domain, and run your own applications in production.

When you can run your own infrastructure, it means no platform dependency, avoiding monthly SaaS fees, and total control of your data.

Hours

Intermediate

  Last Updated
July 2026

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This course includes:

  • Access to our discord community
  • Written lessons, interactives, quiz questions, and video walkthroughs
  • Included in all Skill Foundry membership plans.

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Prerequisites:

Fluency in standard terminal commands and $10-20 per month for hosting.

Overview

Curriculum

Mentor

FAQs

What we'll cover...

  • Domain registration and management
  • Provisioning and configuring a Linux server
  • Apply baseline server hardening
  • Serve content security with Caddy as a reverse proxy
  • Run applications in Docker containers
  • Maintenance and backup options for hosted servers
  • Register a domain and configure DNS
  • Provisioning a Linux VPS and connecting with SSH
  • Apply baseline security to a server
  • Run applications in Docker containers
  • Use Caddy as a reverse proxy and for security certificate manager
  • How to keep your server up to date and how to think about backups and recovery

Degree Programs Don't Teach This!

University programs usually stop at the application layer. They have you write some code, run it locally, and submit it. That's not how the real world works. Deploying and running an application securely and reliably is something every business needs to do, and it's a skill set that will make you a better developer.

Short, but practical
There are no shortcuts to understanding, but this course has no filler either. You'll follow along with a real server and leave with something deployed and running.

We have detailed lessons and video walkthroughs
Video is great for demonstrating instructions, but the written lessons walk through every step, every configuration, and the details on why we're doing something and how it works. If your goal is to be a professional, the "why" is just as important as the "how".

This is about control, freedom, and privacy
SaaS costs continue to rise, and many businesses relying on those applications and cloud providers end up in a vendor lock-in situation. When you don't have the expertise to host your own applications, you are forced to pay whatever your vendor charges. By learning how to self-host, you retain control over your infrastructure, the freedom to choose whether to outsource to a vendor or do it yourself, and maintain privacy over your own data.

Linux owns the server space

This course won't teach you to be a full Linux system administrator, but you will come out comfortable with navigating a Linux shell and configuring it to host applications.

Curriculum Outline

Module 1: Getting Started

  • Welcome to the Course!
  • How the internet works
  • Self-Hosting Concepts

Module 2: Domain and VPS Setup

  • Domain Registration
  • Activity: Register a Domain
  • SSH and Server Access
  • Renting a VPS
  • Activity: Provision Your Server
  • DNS Fundamentals
  • Activity: Point Your Domain to Your VPS

Module 3: Server Configuration

  • Linux Server Basics
  • Activity: Configure SSH
  • Activity: Explore and Update Your Server
  • Activity: Secure Your Server

Module 4: Hosting Applications

  • HTTPS and TLS
  • Introduction to Caddy
  • Activity: Install Caddy and Serve a Webpage
  • Docker Fundamentals
  • Activity: Install Docker
  • Introduction to Docker Hub
  • Activity: Deploy WordPress with Docker Compose

Module 5: Next Steps

  • Maintenance & Backups
  • Go Forth, Build Your Own Stack

Join learners who chose...

depth over speed,
understanding over memorization, and 
professional skills over participation certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Linux experience?

No. We cover the Linux fundamentals you need inside the course. You do need to be comfortable with basic terminal commands before you start.

What does this cost to follow along?

You'll need a VPS, which typically costs $6 to $10 per month on providers like DigitalOcean or Hetzner.

A domain costs around $10 to $15 per year.

How Long is the course?

This is a shorter course, designed to get you up and running with fundamental concepts. Most people should be able to complete it in less than 20 hours.

What will I have when I finish?

A live server, secured and configured, ready to run your own applications behind a reverse proxy.

If you don't know what a reverse proxy is, you will!

How do I get help?

The Skill Foundry Discord server is available for questions. Feel free to hop in and say hello; you don't need to be a paid member to hang out.

About the Author

Eric Wise

Software Architect | Mentor | Entrepreneur
Eric is a veteran software architect, multi-time tech entrepreneur, and someone who's been in every corner of the industry from tech start ups, big corporations, and freelancing.
But what makes Eric truly special is his legendary ability to explain complex concepts in ways that actually stick.