Deploying SimpleLogin

Introduction

SimpleLogin is an open-source email alias service that allows you to create unlimited email aliases to protect your real email address. When you sign up for services, make purchases, or share your email online, SimpleLogin provides a unique alias that forwards to your actual inbox while keeping your real address private.

Acquired by Proton (the company behind ProtonMail), SimpleLogin has become a cornerstone of email privacy. The self-hosted version gives you complete control over your email aliases, making it perfect for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations.

Key features of SimpleLogin include:

Unlimited Aliases: Create as many email aliases as you need
Reply Anonymously: Respond to emails without revealing your real address
Custom Domains: Use your own domain for professional-looking aliases
Browser Extensions: Quick alias creation from Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
Mobile Apps: iOS and Android apps for on-the-go alias management
PGP Encryption: Optional encryption for forwarded emails
Directory Support: Catch-all addresses with subdomain routing
API Access: Programmatic alias management for developers
Password Manager Integration: Works with Bitwarden, 1Password, and others
Spam Protection: Block or disable aliases that receive spam
Analytics: Track alias usage and block suspicious activity
Open Source: Full transparency with the ability to self-host

This guide walks through deploying SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh using Docker.

Why Deploy SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh

Deploying SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh provides several advantages:

Complete Privacy Control: Your email aliases and forwarding data remain on your infrastructure.

Simplified Deployment: Klutch.sh handles container builds and deployments automatically.

HTTPS by Default: Automatic SSL certificates for secure alias management.

Persistent Storage: Your aliases and settings survive restarts and redeployments.

Custom Domains: Use your own domains for alias creation.

Scalable Resources: Handle growing alias usage as your needs expand.

Always-On Availability: Your email forwarding works 24/7.

Prerequisites

Before deploying SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh, ensure you have:

A Klutch.sh account
A GitHub account with a repository for your configuration
A PostgreSQL database
A custom domain with DNS access
SMTP credentials for sending email
Basic familiarity with Docker and DNS configuration
Understanding of email server requirements (MX records, SPF, DKIM)

Important Considerations

SimpleLogin requires significant infrastructure for full functionality:

Email Ports: Full email functionality requires ports 25, 465, and 587 DNS Records: Proper MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are essential IP Reputation: Email delivery depends on your sending IP’s reputation Complexity: Self-hosted email services require ongoing maintenance

Deploying SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh

Create a GitHub Repository

Create a new GitHub repository for your SimpleLogin deployment.

Create Your Dockerfile

Create a Dockerfile for the web application:

FROM simplelogin/app:latest

ENV FLASK_ENV=production
ENV URL=${URL}
ENV EMAIL_DOMAIN=${EMAIL_DOMAIN}
ENV SUPPORT_EMAIL=${SUPPORT_EMAIL}
ENV ADMIN_EMAIL=${ADMIN_EMAIL}
ENV EMAIL_SERVERS_WITH_PRIORITY=${EMAIL_SERVERS_WITH_PRIORITY}
ENV DKIM_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH=/dkim.key
ENV DB_URI=${DB_URI}
ENV FLASK_SECRET=${FLASK_SECRET}
ENV POSTFIX_SERVER=${POSTFIX_SERVER}
ENV DISABLE_REGISTRATION=${DISABLE_REGISTRATION:-false}

EXPOSE 7777

CMD ["gunicorn", "-w", "4", "-b", "0.0.0.0:7777", "app:app"]

Push Your Repository to GitHub

Commit and push your Dockerfile.

Configure DNS Records

Set up the required DNS records for your domain:

Record Type	Name	Value
MX	@	Your mail server (priority 10)
TXT	@	v=spf1 include:your-server -all
TXT	_dmarc	v=DMARC1; p=quarantine
TXT	dkim._domainkey	Your DKIM public key
A	app	Your Klutch.sh app IP

Create a PostgreSQL Database

Set up a PostgreSQL database for SimpleLogin.

Generate Required Keys

Generate a Flask secret key and DKIM key pair for email signing.

Create a New Project on Klutch.sh

Navigate to the Klutch.sh dashboard and create a new project.

Create a New App

Create a new app and connect your GitHub repository.

Configure Environment Variables

Add the following environment variables:

Variable	Value
`URL`	https://app.yourdomain.com
`EMAIL_DOMAIN`	yourdomain.com
`SUPPORT_EMAIL`	support@yourdomain.com
`ADMIN_EMAIL`	admin@yourdomain.com
`DB_URI`	postgresql://user:pass@host/db
`FLASK_SECRET`	Your generated secret key
`POSTFIX_SERVER`	Your Postfix server address

Configure HTTP Settings

Set the traffic type to HTTP and configure the internal port to 7777.

Attach Persistent Storage

Add persistent volumes:

Mount Path	Recommended Size	Purpose
`/data`	5 GB	Application data
`/dkim.key`	N/A	DKIM private key (mount as file)

Deploy Your Application

Click Deploy to start the build process.

Run Database Migrations

After deployment, run database migrations to initialize the schema.

Create Admin Account

Set up your administrator account through the web interface or CLI.

Post-Deployment Configuration

After deploying SimpleLogin:

Verify DNS: Ensure all DNS records are properly configured
Test Email Flow: Send test emails to verify forwarding works
Configure Aliases: Create your first email aliases
Set Up Browser Extension: Install the SimpleLogin extension for quick alias creation
Enable 2FA: Secure your admin account with two-factor authentication

Using SimpleLogin

Once deployed, you can:

Create aliases through the web interface
Use browser extensions for one-click alias creation
Manage aliases via the API
Reply to emails anonymously through the reverse alias feature
Block or delete aliases that receive spam

Additional Resources

Conclusion

Deploying SimpleLogin on Klutch.sh gives you a powerful email privacy tool with complete control over your data. While self-hosting an email alias service requires careful configuration of DNS and email infrastructure, the result is a privacy-first solution that protects your real email address across the internet.

For those not ready for the complexity of full self-hosting, SimpleLogin also offers a hosted service with generous free tiers and affordable premium options.