1Panel is a modern, open-source VPS control panel designed for developers and sysadmins who need full control over their Linux servers without the complexity of command-line tools. It solves the pain point of fragmented server management by unifying website deployment, Docker orchestration, database administration, and AI model hosting into a single intuitive dashboard. Built with Go and powered by OpenResty, it supports Linux systems and integrates with Docker, MySQL, Redis, and Ollama for local LLMs.
1Panel’s ecosystem includes a curated app marketplace with 170+ open-source tools, automated SSL via Let’s Encrypt, cloud backup to AWS S3 and Cloudflare R2, and enterprise-grade security features like firewall rules and audit logging. It can be deployed in minutes via a single bash script and runs as a lightweight systemd service, making it ideal for VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud instances.
What You Get
- One-Click OpenClaw Deployment - Deploy OpenClaw AI agents and host local LLMs using Ollama with GPU utilization monitoring directly from the dashboard.
- One-Click Website Deployment - Instantly launch WordPress, Discourse, or other sites with automatic domain binding, SSL certificate issuance via Let’s Encrypt, and Nginx configuration.
- Curated App Marketplace - Install and update 170+ open-source applications (Nextcloud, Bitwarden, Umami, phpMyAdmin, JumpServer) with a single click and automatic dependency handling.
- Docker Management - Visual interface to manage containers, images, networks, and volumes with start/stop, logs, and port mapping controls.
- Real-Time System Monitoring - Monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in real time with historical graphs and alert thresholds.
- Automated Backup & Restore - Schedule backups to local storage, AWS S3, or Cloudflare R2 with configurable retention policies and one-click restore functionality.
- Web File Manager - Browse, upload, edit, and compress files directly in the browser with permissions and FTP integration support.
- Database Visual Management - Manage MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL databases via a GUI with query execution, import/export, and user management.
- Firewall & Audit Logging - Configure iptables-based firewall rules and view detailed audit logs of user actions and system events for compliance.
- GPU Monitoring - Track GPU usage, temperature, and memory allocation for local AI workloads powered by Ollama and OpenClaw.
Common Use Cases
- Running a self-hosted blog with WordPress - A blogger uses 1Panel to deploy WordPress with automatic SSL and domain setup, eliminating manual Nginx and PHP configuration.
- Hosting local LLMs for internal AI tools - A developer deploys Ollama and OpenClaw via 1Panel to run Qwen, GLM-5, or DeepSeek models on their VPS without cloud costs.
- Managing multiple client servers securely - A managed service provider uses 1Panel’s audit logs, firewall, and user roles to securely administer 20+ VPS instances from one dashboard.
- Deploying a team collaboration platform - A startup installs Discourse and Bitwarden in minutes using 1Panel’s app store to replace Slack and LastPass without cloud subscriptions.
Under The Hood
Architecture
- Modular monolith design with distinct, independently buildable components: core API server, remote agent, and Vue frontend
- Service-layer pattern enforced via interfaces and factory functions, decoupling business logic from HTTP handlers
- Dependency injection achieved through package-level constructors and a global configuration container
- Gin-based REST API with versioned routes and middleware chain for authentication, IP whitelisting, and logging
- Repository pattern implemented with GORM models and dedicated repo packages, isolating data access from business rules
Tech Stack
- Go backend with static binaries compiled without CGO, ensuring portability and minimal runtime dependencies
- Frontend bundled as embedded static assets, compiled via npm and integrated into the Go binary
- Multi-architecture builds automated via GoReleaser, supporting major Linux architectures including ARM, RISC-V, and PPC64LE
- File-based persistence with embedded configurations eliminates external database requirements
- Deployment streamlined with systemd service files and init scripts for seamless Linux server integration
Code Quality
- Strong separation of concerns with clean layering between routing, services, and data access layers
- Struct-based DTOs and validation libraries ensure robust input handling and type safety
- Comprehensive API documentation auto-generated from source comments using SwagGo
- Consistent naming conventions and functional options pattern enhance readability and maintainability
- Limited test coverage, relying on manual validation and Swagger UI for endpoint verification
What Makes It Unique
- Native Unix socket communication between agent and core eliminates network exposure and reduces attack surface
- Integrated AI agent management with tokenized authentication enables direct LLM integration without external services
- WebAuthn and passkey-based authentication deeply embedded in system settings for enterprise-grade identity
- Context-aware cron job helpers that auto-link to relevant log dashboards improve operational efficiency
- Dynamic snapshot import system with multi-source backup and filesystem path awareness enables cross-platform recovery