---
title: "Install CIHub"
description: "What a CIHub instance is made of, the two ways to run it (Docker on one machine, or Kubernetes with the Helm chart), and the steps to a first merged pull request in about 30 minutes."
canonical_url: "https://cihub.io/docs/install"
markdown_url: "https://cihub.io/docs/install.md"
---

# Install CIHub

CIHub is one container and a Postgres. It runs on any machine that runs containers: Kubernetes is one way, not a
requirement.

<ArchitectureDiagram />

## What you need

- A machine or a cluster that runs containers, `linux/amd64` or `linux/arm64`.
- A Postgres 17. The installation with Docker brings one.
- An HTTPS address that GitHub can reach, for example `https://cihub.example.com`: GitHub sends the events of your
  repositories there.
- The owner rights on a GitHub organization, to create the App of your CIHub.

## Choose how to run CIHub

<Cards>
  <Card title="Docker" href="/docs/install/docker">
    One machine, a VM or a server with Docker Compose: CIHub, Postgres and an HTTPS proxy in one file. The
    simplest way.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Kubernetes" href="/docs/install/kubernetes">
    The Helm chart: the migrations in a Job, as many replicas as you need, your Ingress or your Gateway.
  </Card>
</Cards>

Both run the same image, `ghcr.io/getcihub/server`, and take the same settings. You can start with Docker and move
to Kubernetes later: the data is in Postgres.

## The steps

<Steps>
<Step>

### Create the GitHub App

Register the App that receives the events of your repositories and acts on them: [Create the GitHub
App](/docs/install/github-app).

</Step>
<Step>

### Run CIHub

Start the server with its keys: with [Docker](/docs/install/docker) or on [Kubernetes](/docs/install/kubernetes).

</Step>
<Step>

### Install the App on your repositories

CIHub creates your organization by itself: [Install the App on your
repositories](/docs/install/github-app#install-the-app-on-your-repositories).

</Step>
<Step>

### Merge your first pull request

Protect the target branch, check your CI, then comment `/cihub merge`: [Merge your first pull
request](/docs/install/first-pull-request).

</Step>
</Steps>