How to Install 0bin on Ubuntu Server
0bin is a lightweight, privacy-focused pastebin application designed for sharing text and code snippets anonymously. If you want a simple self-hosted pastebin on Ubuntu Server, 0bin is a practical option thanks to its minimal design and straightforward deployment process. This guide walks through how to install 0bin on the latest Ubuntu Server release, including the required dependencies, setup steps, and how to launch the application.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the 0bin installation, make sure your Ubuntu server environment is ready.
- A current Ubuntu Server installation
- Sudo or root access
- At least 512MB of RAM
- Access to a Bash shell
Step 1: Update Ubuntu Server
It is best practice to refresh the package index and install available updates before deploying any new software. This helps ensure system stability and reduces the chance of package conflicts during installation.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Install 0bin Dependencies
To run 0bin, your server needs several supporting packages, including Python, pip, virtualenv, and Git. Install them with the following command:
sudo apt install python python-pip virtualenv git-core -y
These packages provide the runtime and tools needed to download 0bin, create an isolated Python environment, and install the required libraries.
Step 3: Download the 0bin Source Code
The recommended way to get 0bin is to clone its official repository from GitHub.
git clone https://github.com/Tygs/0bin.git
After the repository has been downloaded, move into the project directory.
cd 0bin/
Step 4: Create a Virtual Environment
Using a virtual environment keeps 0bin's Python packages separated from the rest of the operating system, which makes maintenance easier and avoids dependency issues.
virtualenv env
Next, activate the environment:
source env/bin/activate
Step 5: Install Python Requirements
With the virtual environment enabled, install all required Python modules listed by the application.
pip install -r requirements.txt
This command prepares the 0bin application to run correctly on your Ubuntu Server.
Step 6: Configure 0bin
0bin includes a sample configuration file that you can copy and customize for your deployment.
cp 0bin.cfg.example 0bin.cfg
You can then edit 0bin.cfg to adjust settings based on your needs, such as application behavior and deployment preferences.
Step 7: Start 0bin
Once installation and configuration are complete, you can launch the 0bin server from the project directory.
source env/bin/activate
python run.py
As long as the session remains active, the 0bin service should continue running and be reachable from your web browser.
Useful Notes
- Keep your terminal session open while 0bin is running in this basic setup.
- For production use, consider placing 0bin behind a reverse proxy such as Nginx.
- Review the configuration file carefully before exposing the service publicly.
- Regularly update your server and dependencies to maintain security.
Conclusion
Installing 0bin on Ubuntu Server is a quick process that gives you a simple, self-hosted pastebin for anonymous text sharing. By updating your system, installing the required dependencies, setting up a Python virtual environment, and configuring the application, you can have 0bin running in just a few minutes. If you need a minimalist pastebin solution on Ubuntu, 0bin is an efficient and reliable choice.







