---
title: "Deployment overview"
version: "v0.27.0"
canonical: "https://docs.obot.ai/installation/overview"
unreleased: false
---

# Deployment overview

This guide helps you choose the right deployment method for your use case. Before selecting a deployment option, it’s useful to understand the core components that make up an Obot installation:

- **Obot Server**: The core application server, distributed as a container image.
- **MCP Server Hosting Platform**: The environment where Obot deploys users’ MCP servers. This matches the platform on which Obot itself is deployed (Docker or Kubernetes).
- **PostgreSQL Database**: The primary database for Obot. PostgreSQL 17+ is required.

Below you’ll find an overview of the available deployment options, along with system requirements and links to reference architectures.

<a id="obot-doc-docker-deployment"></a>

## Docker Deployment

Docker provides the fastest way to get Obot running on your local machine or a single server for development, testing, and proof-of-concept use cases.

- Simple setup using `docker run`
- Includes a built-in PostgreSQL database and local file storage
- Deploys MCP servers as Docker containers using the host’s Docker socket

For more details, see the [Docker Deployment Guide](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/installation/docker-deployment.md).

<a id="obot-doc-kubernetes-deployment"></a>

## Kubernetes Deployment

Kubernetes provides the best way to run Obot reliably at scale in production environments.

- Helm chart available at [charts.obot.ai](https://charts.obot.ai/)
- Integrates with cloud-native services such as KMS
- Requires an external PostgreSQL database; configure file storage for the features you enable

For more details, see the [Kubernetes Deployment Guide](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/installation/kubernetes-deployment.md).

<a id="obot-doc-production-system-requirements"></a>

## Production System Requirements

For production deployments, the following components are required:

- **Kubernetes**: A production-grade Kubernetes cluster with capacity for Obot and the MCP servers it will manage
- **External PostgreSQL database**: PostgreSQL 17+
- **Encryption provider**: AWS KMS, Google Cloud KMS, or Azure Key Vault
- **Authentication provider**: See our supported [Authentication Providers](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/configuration/auth-providers.md)
- **TLS/SSL certificates**: For secure HTTPS access
- **Backup strategy**: Regular backups for the database and any file or object storage in use

<a id="obot-doc-cloud-platform-reference-architectures"></a>

## Cloud Platform Reference Architectures

If you plan to deploy Obot on a managed Kubernetes service, these reference architectures provide infrastructure guidance and best practices:

- [GCP GKE Reference Architecture](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/installation/reference-architectures/gcp-gke.md)
- [AWS EKS Reference Architecture](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/installation/reference-architectures/aws-eks.md)
- [Azure AKS Reference Architecture](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/installation/reference-architectures/azure-aks.md)

<a id="obot-doc-next-steps"></a>

## Next Steps

1. Choose a deployment method above
2. Follow the corresponding deployment guide
3. [Set up the local Obot CLI](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/reference/cli-api.md)
4. [Configure authentication](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/configuration/auth-providers.md)
5. [Set up model providers](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/configuration/model-providers.md)
6. Review the [server configuration options](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/configuration/server-configuration.md)

<a id="obot-doc-getting-help"></a>

## Getting Help

- See the [FAQ](https://docs.obot.ai/v0.27.0/faq.md)