Vibe Server Ops — Your AI Sysadmin Bestie

Run your own server.
No sysadmin degree required.

A step-by-step guide to installing Claude Code (or any LLM) on a cheap cloud server. Manage domains, deploy apps, and automate everything—all from your phone (or couch).

Step 1

Get Your Server

Pick a cheap VPS cloud server. $5-10/month is plenty.

A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is just a computer in the cloud that's always on. You'll install Claude Code (or your LLM) here and it'll manage everything for you.

Step 2

Connect to Your New Server

Use an SSH app on your phone to talk to your server.

SSH is how you type commands on a remote computer. Think of it like texting your server. Claude will live on your VPS and you can send him messages!

Pick the app that's right for you

These are our favorite mobile SSH apps, but you can also use desktop clients, browser extensions, or whatever weird setup you prefer. The sky's the limit.

Step 3

Install Claude Code

Copy-paste this command to get started. That's it.

This installs Claude Code, an AI that can run commands on your server. You can use any other LLM. To run Claude well, you'll need a paid Anthropic account (TBH you should have this already).

Once connected, run this in the terminal:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | sh

And that's it! Claude Code should now be installed, and you can verify by just sending the command 'claude' in the terminal:

Step 4

Set the Ground Rules

Tell your AI what it can and can't do, with the help of another AI.

Use your normal favorite AI to write a long and complete set of instructions. This is like giving your AI a job description.

When you are happy with the requirements (seriously, use AI to help here), tell your VPS Claude Code to always follow these rules.

# CLAUDE.md

You are managing this server.

## You CAN:
- Install packages
- Edit config files
- Restart services
- Create and delete files
- Manage nginx sites
- Set up SSL certificates

chevron_right create a CLAUDE.md file that [paste here] ...

Optional Step

Turn on YOLO Mode

By default, Claude Code asks before running each risky command. That's great! If you are learning. If you are on a road trip, you might want Claude to manage himself. Get started by telling Claude its running in a VPS box:

export CLAUDE_CODE_SANDBOX=1

After that, with --dangerously-skip-permissions, you are ready to launch Claude Code in a mode where it never stops to ask permissions:

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions

Step 5

Test It Out

Or, really, make Claude test himself out. Simply pass a big long list of tests for Claude to pass, and he'll tell you when he is ready.

Run Claude and give him a checklist to verify everything works:

Run through this checklist and tell me when you pass all tests:

[ ] Can you see our files? List files in /root
[ ] Can you install a package? Install htop
[ ] Can you create a test file? Create test.txt
[ ] Can you delete the test file? Remove test.txt
[ ] Can you check disk space? Show me df -h
[ ] Can you see running processes? Show me htop or top

Use your own AI to make this list...

Vibe Ops Prompt Library

Copy-paste these prompts to get started fast. Just tell Claude what you need.

# Server Admin

You are a server administrator
for this Ubuntu VPS.

## Access Level
- Full root access
- Unrestricted permissions

## Behavior
- Just do it
- Don't ask questions
- Pick the right answer

## Stack
- nginx for web serving
- certbot for SSL

# WordPress Setup

Set up a new WordPress site.

## Domain
example.com

## Tasks
1. Create MySQL database
2. Download WordPress core
3. Configure wp-config.php
   - Secure salts
   - DB credentials
4. Set up nginx block
5. SSL via certbot

# Next.js Deploy

Deploy my Next.js app from
the current directory.

## Build
npm run build

## Server Setup
1. nginx reverse proxy
   - Proxy to :3000
2. PM2 process manager
   - Auto-restart
   - Start on boot

## SSL
- Configure certbot

# Automated Backups

Set up automated daily backups.

## WordPress Sites
- Export database
- Tar wp-content folder

## Static Sites
- Tar entire directory

## Storage
/backups/[domain]/[date]/
Retention: 7 days

## Schedule
Cron job at 3:00 AM daily

That's it, you did it!

Now you're up and running with a powerful LLM on your own VPS box. If you ever need any help at all, send @clarklab a message!