clientst0r: install and first setup
For the administrator who installs clientst0r, MSP Zero's open-source IT documentation and service desk: requirements, the native installer and the Docker Compose path, the .env settings that matter (and why APP_MASTER_KEY must never change), putting TLS in front, first sign-in with 2FA, organizations, staff and organization users, roles and API keys, Entra ID single sign-on, turning on the service desk, backups, updates and the troubleshooting steps the project documents.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Length
- About 50 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 2 Oct 2026
- clientst0r · open source
- clientst0r · open source
Skills you'll practise
- Choose between the native installer and Docker Compose and check the documented requirements for each
- Prepare a production .env (DEBUG off, allowed hosts, secrets) and protect APP_MASTER_KEY with the backups
- Complete first setup: 2FA, the first client organization, staff versus organization users, roles and the psa_enabled toggle
- Configure Entra ID single sign-on and explain how it changes 2FA
- Back up, update and troubleshoot an installation using the project's documented commands and logs
Course outline
- 1.clientst0r: install and first setupVideo · 2 min
- 2.Requirements and the two install pathsLesson · 17 min
- 3.First sign-in: 2FA, organizations, users and rolesLesson · 17 min
- 4.Keys, backups, updates and troubleshootingLesson · 16 min
- 5.clientst0r: install and first setup: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 16 questions
- 6.Final exam8 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- clientst0r README: quick start (Docker and native), first steps, updating and backups, limitations, security
- clientst0r INSTALL.md: requirements, install.sh, upgrade, system check, clean reinstall, troubleshooting
- clientst0r docs/docker.md: Docker Compose deployment, configuration, profiles, backups, upgrading, troubleshooting
- clientst0r docs/faq.md: frequently asked questions
- clientst0r AZURE_SSO_SETUP.md: Azure AD / Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on
- clientst0r AUTO_UPDATE.md: auto-update timer and logs
- clientst0r ORGANIZATIONS.md: organizations, user types, roles and role templates
- clientst0r UPGRADE_NOTES.md: release notes (encryption errors and the .env file, feature toggles)
- clientst0r user guide: getting started (organizations, users, roles, API keys)
- clientst0r user guide: security (2FA, RBAC, audit log)
- MSP Zero: clientst0r tool page (first deployment notes)
- MSP Zero: Self-hosting (running the projects yourself)
See it with your own jobs and topics
Tell us about your team and we'll walk you through setup, from choosing jobs to your first skills check.