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Getting started with VPS-lite: your own Linux container

What ESN VPS-lite is and isn't, how to use its shell in the panel Console, install tools without root, run things at boot, and the rules.

VPS-lite is your own Linux (Debian) container with a shell in the panel Console, your files over the File Manager or SFTP, and the RAM, CPU and disk of your plan. It's great for scripts, bots, small web services and learning Linux.

It is not a full VPS. You are not root, so there's no apt-get or sudo, no systemd, no Docker, no kernel modules and no custom firewall. You get one public port: it's your server address in the panel and is also in $SERVER_PORT.

Use the shell

  1. Open the server and press Start.
  2. Type Linux commands in the Console box. Try cat README-VPS.txt for the basics.
  3. The Console is line-based, so full-screen programs like nano, vim or top don't work there. Edit files in the File Manager or over SFTP.
  4. Typing exit stops the server. Press Start to bring it back.

What's already there

bash, git, curl, node, npm, python3, gcc/g++, make, sqlite3, ffmpeg, zip and unzip.

Install software without root

  • Python: python3 -m venv ~/venv && . ~/venv/bin/activate && pip install <package>
  • Node.js: npm install -g <package> (goes to ~/.npm-global, already on your PATH).
  • Any single-file program: download it into ~/.local/bin (on your PATH) and chmod +x it.

Keep things running

Closing the panel tab doesn't stop anything; the container keeps running. To start something every time the server starts, put the commands in autostart.sh in your home folder. It runs in the background, and its output goes to autostart.log.

Rules

Not allowed on VPS-lite: crypto mining, DDoS or flooding, port scanning, brute forcing or credential stuffing, spam, anything illegal, or software that keeps the CPU pinned for no real purpose. Servers that break these rules are stopped without a refund.

VPS-lite is sold from its own share of each node, so it can show "Sold out" while other plans are still available. See plans and prices.

Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Hosting Discord. Last updated October 27, 2026.