How to Install Zulip on OpenBSD

Zulip is a group chat application used for team collaboration. In this tutorial, you will learn how to install Zulip on OpenBSD.

Prerequisites

• A server running OpenBSD
• A user account with root or sudo privileges
• Access to the internet

Step 1: Install Dependencies

Zulip requires several dependencies to be installed on the system. Install them by running the following commands:

$ sudo pkg_add bash git python py-pip py-setuptools py-virtualenv mongodb redis nginx

Step 2: Download and Install Zulip

Download Zulip by cloning the official repository from GitHub:

$ git clone https://github.com/zulip/zulip.git

Move into the Zulip directory and create a virtual environment for it:

$ cd zulip
$ virtualenv venv
$ source venv/bin/activate

Install the required Python packages using pip:

$ pip install -r requirements.txt

Initialize the database and set up the server:

$ ./tools/setup/install

Step 3: Configure NGINX

Create an NGINX configuration file for Zulip by creating a new file at:

$ sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/zulip

Add the following lines to the file:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your_domain_name.com;
 
    # Provide the path to the email_templates directory
    location /email-templates {
        alias /path/to/zulip/templates/zerver/email;
    }
 
    # Provide the path to the static files directory
    location /static {
        alias /path/to/zulip/static/;
    }
 
    # Provide the path to the Zulip server resources
    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:9991;
    }
}

Save the file and create a symbolic link to enable the site with the following command:

$ sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/zulip /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/

Restart the NGINX server to apply the changes:

$ sudo service nginx restart

Step 4: Start Zulip

Start the Zulip server in the virtual environment:

$ source venv/bin/activate
$ su zulip /home/zulip/deployments/current/scripts/zulip-server start

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Zulip on your OpenBSD server. You can now access Zulip by visiting your server’s URL in a web browser.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!