Use Apache as a Reverse Proxy

Requirements

1. Start a Coder deployment and be sure to set the following configuration values:

   CODER_HTTP_ADDRESS=127.0.0.1:3000
   CODER_ACCESS_URL=https://coder.example.com
   CODER_WILDCARD_ACCESS_URL=*coder.example.com
   

   Throughout the guide, be sure to replace coder.example.com with the domain you intend to use with Coder.

2. Configure your DNS provider to point your coder.example.com and *.coder.example.com to your server's public IP address.

   For example, to use coder.example.com as your subdomain, configure coder.example.com and *.coder.example.com to point to your server's public ip. This can be done by adding A records in your DNS provider's dashboard.

3. Install Apache (assuming you're on Debian/Ubuntu):

   sudo apt install apache2
   

4. Enable the following Apache modules:

   sudo a2enmod proxy
   sudo a2enmod proxy_http
   sudo a2enmod ssl
   sudo a2enmod rewrite
   

5. Stop Apache service and disable default site:

   sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf
   sudo systemctl stop apache2
   

Install and configure LetsEncrypt Certbot

1. Install LetsEncrypt Certbot: Refer to the CertBot documentation. Be sure to pick the wildcard tab and select your DNS provider for instructions to install the necessary DNS plugin.

Create DNS provider credentials

This example assumes you're using CloudFlare as your DNS provider. For other providers, refer to the CertBot documentation.

1. Create an API token for the DNS provider you're using: e.g. CloudFlare with the following permissions:

   • Zone - DNS - Edit

2. Create a file in .secrets/certbot/cloudflare.ini with the following content:

   dns_cloudflare_api_token = YOUR_API_TOKEN
   

   mkdir -p ~/.secrets/certbot
   touch ~/.secrets/certbot/cloudflare.ini
   nano ~/.secrets/certbot/cloudflare.ini
   

3. Set the correct permissions:

   sudo chmod 600 ~/.secrets/certbot/cloudflare.ini
   

Create the certificate

1. Create the wildcard certificate:

   sudo certbot certonly --dns-cloudflare --dns-cloudflare-credentials ~/.secrets/certbot/cloudflare.ini -d coder.example.com -d *.coder.example.com
   

Configure Apache

This example assumes Coder is running locally on 127.0.0.1:3000 and that you're using coder.example.com as your subdomain.

1. Create Apache configuration for Coder:

   sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/coder.conf
   

2. Add the following content:

    # Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
    <VirtualHost *:80>
        ServerName coder.example.com
        ServerAlias *.coder.example.com
        Redirect permanent / https://coder.example.com/
    </VirtualHost>
   
    <VirtualHost *:443>
        ServerName coder.example.com
        ServerAlias *.coder.example.com
        ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
        CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
   
        ProxyPass / http://127.0.0.1:3000/ upgrade=any # required for websockets
        ProxyPassReverse / http://127.0.0.1:3000/
        ProxyRequests Off
        ProxyPreserveHost On
   
        RewriteEngine On
        # Websockets are required for workspace connectivity
        RewriteCond %{HTTP:Connection} Upgrade [NC]
        RewriteCond %{HTTP:Upgrade} websocket [NC]
        RewriteRule /(.*) ws://127.0.0.1:3000/$1 [P,L]
   
        SSLCertificateFile /etc/letsencrypt/live/coder.example.com/fullchain.pem
        SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/letsencrypt/live/coder.example.com/privkey.pem
    </VirtualHost>
   

   Don't forget to change: coder.example.com by your (sub)domain

3. Enable the site:

   sudo a2ensite coder.conf
   

4. Restart Apache:

   sudo systemctl restart apache2
   

Refresh certificates automatically

1. Create a new file in /etc/cron.weekly:

   sudo touch /etc/cron.weekly/certbot
   

2. Make it executable:

   sudo chmod +x /etc/cron.weekly/certbot
   

3. And add this code:

   #!/bin/sh
   sudo certbot renew -q
   

And that's it, you should now be able to access Coder at your sub(domain) e.g. https://coder.example.com.