Managing custom NGINX configurations across multiple servers and web applications can be time-consuming and error-prone. To simplify this process, RunCloud offers NGINX Templates.

This feature allows you to build, manage, and centrally deploy reusable NGINX configuration files. Whether you’re applying custom security headers, configuring fast CGI caching for WordPress, or setting up specialized routing for a Laravel app, NGINX Templates allow you to deploy standard configurations across your entire infrastructure with just a few clicks.

What are NGINX Templates?

An NGINX Template is a centralized set of NGINX configuration files that can be linked to multiple Web Applications within your RunCloud workspace.

Key Benefits:

  • Standardization: Ensure all your web applications meet the same security and performance standards without manual entry.
  • Centralized Management: If you need to update a configuration rule, you only need to update the template. RunCloud will seamlessly propagate the changes to all linked web applications.
  • Safety: RunCloud tests the template configuration before applying it, preventing you from accidentally deploying broken NGINX configurations that could take your server offline.
  • Time-Saving: Quickly spin up new web applications by applying pre-configured templates during the deployment process.

To access the NGINX Templates dashboard:

  1. Log in to your RunCloud Dashboard.
  2. In the left-hand navigation menu, click on Settings.
  3. In the Settings sub-menu, select NGINX Templates.

Here, you will find two main tabs: My Templates and Public Templates.

My Templates vs. Public Templates

It’s important to understand the difference between the two template repositories available in your workspace.

1. My Templates

This is your private workspace for NGINX configurations. This contains the templates you created from scratch, as well as those you duplicated from the Public repository.

You have full read/write access here. You can create, edit, delete, and assign these templates directly to your web applications. You can also monitor how many files are in a template, whether it’s synced, and how many web apps are currently linked to it.

2. Public Templates (Community Templates)

This is a read-only repository of reliable, pre-defined templates provided by RunCloud and approved community members. It is a standardized configuration for popular frameworks and CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress Optimized Config, Laravel Octane + Swoole).

You can’t edit these templates directly or apply them straight to a web app. Instead, you can browse them, see their popularity (number of installs), and duplicate them into your own workspace to customize and use.

Step-by-Step: How to Duplicate a Public Template

If you want to use a Public Template as a starting point for your own configuration, you can easily duplicate it to your workspace.

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > NGINX Templates.

Step 2: Click on the Public Templates tab at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Browse the available templates. You can use the Search bar to find configurations. Each card will show you:

  • The template name and description.
  • How many files are included in the configuration?
  • Who maintains the template (e.g., RunCloud)?
  • The total number of times it has been installed by users.

Step 4: Once you find a template that fits your needs (for example, WordPress Optimized Config), hover over the template card and click Duplicate.

Step 5: A notification will confirm that the template has been duplicated. Click back to the My Templates tab.

Step 6: You will now see the duplicated template in your list, with (Copy) appended to its title. You now have complete ownership of this copied template. You can click on it to rename it, edit its internal configuration files, and link it to your web applications.

If you have any other questions or need help, please feel free to get in touch with our 24/7 support team. We’re here to help!