> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.refold.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# On Standalone Machine

> This guide helps you to install Refold using Docker images on any standalone machine. We will use Amazon EC2 as reference in the guide.

## **Pre-requisites**

Following are the pre-requisites for deployment:

1. **Docker Credentials**: You will receive a Personal Access Token (PAT) from the Refold team.
2. **MongoDB Atlas Account**: Create or use an existing account.
3. **Docker Registry URL**: Provided by the Refold team.

## Steps to Deploy Refold on an EC2 Instance

To deploy Refold, follow the steps given below:

### **Step 1: Ensure Docker Engine is Running**:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Docker if not already installed">
    ```bash theme={null}
     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install docker.io -y
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start and enable the Docker service">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo systemctl start docker
    sudo systemctl enable docker
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Docker is running">
    ```bash theme={null}
    docker --version
    docker info
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Step 2: Set Up MongoDB Cluster

* Log in to your **MongoDB Atlas** account and create a new `M10 cluster`.
* Set **autoscaling** with a maximum scale to`M20`.
* Configure **minimum disk space to 50GB** in the cluster settings.
* Create a **MongoDB user** with full access to the database:
  **Username**: Choose a secure username.
  **Password**: Use a strong password.
* Save the **MongoDB connection string**. For e.g.:
  ```
  mongodb+srv://<username>:<password>@<cluster-url>/myDatabase?retryWrites=true&w=majority
  ```

### **Step 3: Authenticate Docker with Refold Credentials**:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Docker registry">
    ```bash theme={null}
    docker login <docker-registry-url>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide Credentials">
    Enter the **username** (PAT) and **password** when prompted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### **Step 4: Pull the Docker Compose File**:

Download the `docker-compose.yml` file provided by the Refold team:

```bash theme={null}
curl -O <docker-compose-url>
```

### **Step 5: Configure Environment Variables**:

Edit the `docker-compose.yml` file to include the MongoDB connection string:

```yaml theme={null}
environment:
  MONGO_URI: "mongodb+srv://<username>:<password>@<cluster-url>/myDatabase?retryWrites=true&w=majority"
```

<Note>
  Add any additional environment variables specific to your deployment.
</Note>

### **Step 6: Start Refold Services**:

* Run the Docker Compose setup:
  ```bash theme={null}
  docker-compose up -d
  ```
* Verify that all containers are running:
  ```bash theme={null}
  docker ps
  ```

## **Optional Checks**

1. **Security Groups**:

   Ensure the EC2 instance's **Security Group** allows inbound traffic on necessary ports (e.g., `80`, `443`, or custom application ports).

2. **Volume Mounts**:

   If any Docker services require persistent storage, check that **volumes** are correctly configured in the `docker-compose.yml`.

3. **Logs**:

   Monitor logs to ensure all services are running correctly:

   ```bash theme={null}
   docker-compose logs -f
   ```

## **Additional Considerations**

1. **Resource Monitoring**:

   * Check the EC2 instance's CPU and memory usage to ensure it meets Refold's requirements.
   * Set up **autoscaling groups** on memory usage if it exceeds **75%** for a sustained period. This ensures the system can handle increased loads efficiently.

2. **Redis Configuration**:

   This document assumes that **Redis** will run on the same instance as Refold's service. This setup is acceptable for light to moderate loads, but for high loads, consider deploying Redis on a separate instance or using a managed Redis service.

3. **Backup**:

   Set up regular backups for your MongoDB cluster to avoid data loss.