How to self host the frii.site backend?

Notice:

• We can't guarantee that it'll work perfeclty etc use at your own risk, there is no warranty.
• If you encounter any issues, join our discord for friendly support! (link located in https://guides.frii.site/contact.html)
• The self-hosted backend has not been completely tested
• Every service listed in the requirements can be either hosted for free, or self hosted. You might need your own domain to setup Resend.

Requirements:

• A MongoDB database
• A PowerDNS server (for DNS)
• PowerDNS-Admin
• Python >3.11
• Services:
  • A Resend account setup
  • IPInfo account

Setting up

1. Setup a MongoDB server https://www.mongodb.com/docs/manual/installation/. Follow the instructions for your specific server

   • After installation, enter the mongo shell by executing the comamand mongosh. You'll see a "connecting to" message (2nd line), which should look somethihng like this: Connecting to: mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/?directConnection=true&serverSelectionTimeoutMS=2000&appName=mongosh+2.5.6
   • Copy the URL part (mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/?directConnection=true&serverSelectionTimeoutMS=2000&appName=mongosh+2.5.6), and change the appName to something else (e.g mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/?directConnection=true&serverSelectionTimeoutMS=2000&appName=friidotsite). Save this string somewhere, since we will be using it later

2. Setup Resend

   • Setup an account on Resend, go to "API Keys" tab on the sidebar, create a new API key with the permission "Sending access", and select your domain
   • Copy your API key to somewhere safe

3. Setup PowerDNS

   • This is by far the most time consuming part of self hosting the backend.

   • Steps are different for each operating system

   • Here's an example of an article which covers PowerDNS and PowerDNS-Admin: https://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-powerdns-on-ubuntu-22-04/

   • Once you have setup PowerDNS and PowerDNS-Admin, setup your domain

     • The @ NS records should match your PowerDNS server's address

   • Create a new API key inside PowerDNS admin (/admin/manage-keys)

   • in "zone access" select your domain, and click "Create API key"

   • Copy your API token, and keep it somewhere safe

4. Setup Turnstile

   • Go to your Cloudflare dashboard, and create a new Turnstile widget
   • In the "hostnames", add the domain of your website, AND "localhost" for testing
   • Click Create
   • Copy both of the keys to somewhere safe

5. Run the setup script using python setup.py