Deployment Options
Deploy as VPS
A container app with a qualifying GitHub link can be deployed as a VPS instead, giving you root access and SSH
Deploy as VPS Toggle
The Deploy as VPS with AI system admin agent switch lets you take a qualifying application from the RepoCloud marketplace and deploy it on its own VPS instead of in a managed container, with an AI agent doing the setup. This gives you the convenience of the catalog combined with the full control of a VPS deployment.
How It Works
Find an Application
Browse the RepoCloud marketplace and click Deploy Now on an application.
Switch On Deploy as VPS
On the deploy page, leave autoscaling off and look for the Deploy as VPS with AI system admin agent switch. It appears only when the application:
- is a container app (not a VPS App, and not an app whose Deploy Now button already opens AI Deploy)
- is not one of the apps RepoCloud deploys from a Docker Compose file (their autoscale switch is on and cannot be changed)
- has a link of the form
https://github.com/<owner>/<repo>in the catalog (a GitLab link does not count)
Platform (full-SSH) apps do not show it either.
Tier Selection Changes
When the switch is on:
- The $3 Tier 1 is disabled (VPS apps require at least $6/month, Tier 2)
- The tier selection moves to the first eligible VPS tier
Redirect to AI Deploy
Press Continue. You land on the AI Deploy page with the application’s GitHub repository URL, your project name, and your tier carried over. RepoCloud provisions the server and the AI agent installs the application.
The switch is only available for applications that have a public GitHub repository linked in the RepoCloud catalog. Applications without a github.com link do not show it.
What Changes with VPS Deployment
When you deploy as VPS instead of a container:
| Aspect | Container (default) | VPS (switch on) |
|---|---|---|
| Server access | Web dashboard only | Full root SSH + browser console |
| Deployment method | One-click container template | AI agent installs from the GitHub source |
| Minimum tier | Tier 1 ($3/mo) where the app offers it | Tier 2 ($6/mo) |
| Autoscaling | Optional (off by default) | Not available |
| Snapshots | Not available | Up to 5 snapshots |
| Dedicated IPv4 | No | Yes, included |
| Updates | One-click Rebuild | Manual: over SSH, or ask the agent in the resumed chat |
| Balance needed to deploy | At least $0.50 | Above $3 |
Requirements
The same requirements as AI Deploy apply:
- A RepoCloud account with a verified email
- A balance above $3
- The application must have a public GitHub repository
Use Cases
The switch is useful when you want:
- Root access to an application you would normally deploy as a container — for example, to customize system-level configuration, install additional packages, or run background services
- SSH access for debugging or development workflows
- Snapshots for point-in-time backups before making risky changes
- Dedicated IPv4 for applications that need direct IP access
- An AI agent to customize the application — ask the DevOps AI Agent to change how the application is set up after it is running
Next Steps
Learn more about the AI-powered deployment process
Recipes for changing an application with the agent
Learn about VPS Apps: dedicated Ubuntu servers set up by the agent or by you
Learn about the standard container deployment path