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Update, back up and keep the server safe

A few minutes now and then. The server keeps everything in one data folder.

5 min · Updated 26 October 2026

  1. 1

    Update

    Update the server and the apps together: a newer server’s library can be one an older app can’t read. Your data stays; the library is upgraded when the server opens it.

    Docker Compose
    docker compose -f docker-compose.hub.yml pull
docker compose -f docker-compose.hub.yml up -d
    Docker
    docker pull elrumo/lightcraft-server
docker rm -f lightcraft
# then run it again with the same command and volumes
  2. 2

    Back up

    Everything the server keeps is in its data folder (the lightcraft-data volume in Docker). Photo folders stay where they are, so back them up as you already do. For a consistent copy of the data, stop the server first:

    Docker
    docker stop lightcraft
docker run --rm --volumes-from lightcraft -v "$PWD:/backup" \
  debian:bookworm-slim tar czf /backup/lightcraft-data.tgz -C /data .
docker start lightcraft
  3. 3

    Limit storage per person

    On the admin page, Users, the user, Storage limit, or from the command line. Uploads over the limit wait; nothing is deleted. Folders the server only reads don’t count.

    Terminal
    docker exec lightcraft lightcraft-server user quota ann 200G
  4. 4

    Safety checklist

    Only HTTPS (Caddy), Tailscale or your home network reaches the server. Never port 8080 from the internet.

    Strong passwords (8 characters at least). Sign out devices you no longer use on the admin page, under the user’s Devices.

    Mount photo folders read only (:ro) unless you want the server to write sidecars there.

    Album links are secret addresses: give them an end date, add a password for one that may travel, and revoke what you no longer need. A link that lets people add photos fills its owner’s storage, so set a limit.