Install Pterodactyl: complete guide for panel and Wings

Pterodactyl is an open-source solution that simplifies hosting and managing game servers. Its intuitive web interface communicates with a daemon named Wings to control your instances. This guide walks you through the complete installation: panel, Wings, and Node configuration.

What you need before starting

Prepare your environment with the following elements:

Compatible server

Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, or 24.04
Debian 10, 11, or 12

Required access

Root access or user with sudo rights
Basic packages installed on the system

Start by updating your system:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Then install essential dependencies:

apt install sudo curl

Deploying the Pterodactyl panel

⚠️ Warning: The installation script is suitable for private use. For a public production environment, prefer a manual installation.

Run the installation script:

bash <(curl -s https://pterodactyl-installer.se)

Select option 0 to install the panel:

* Input 0-8: 0

Database setup

Agree to install MariaDB:

Would you like to install MariaDB (MySQL) server on the daemon as well? (y/N): y

Leave the database fields empty: the script will automatically generate a secure password.

General configuration

Set your timezone:

Select timezone [Europe/Stockholm]: Europe/Paris

Provide a valid email address for notifications:

Provide the email address: [email protected]

Creating the admin account

Complete the information for the first account:

Email: [email protected]
Username: admin
First name: Admin
Last name: OuiHeberg
Password: *****

Domain and security

Specify the domain name pointing to your VPS:

Set the FQDN: panel.ouiheberg.com

Decline automatic firewall configuration to maintain control:

Do you want to automatically configure UFW (firewall)? (y/N): n

Enable SSL certificate via Let's Encrypt:

Do you want to automatically configure HTTPS using Let's Encrypt? (y/N): y
I agree... (y/N): y

Confirm the installation:

Initial configuration completed. Continue with installation? (y/N): y
(A)gree/(C)ancel: a

✅ The panel is operational.

Installing the Wings daemon

Rerun the installation script:

bash <(curl -s https://pterodactyl-installer.se)

Choose option 1 for Wings:

* Input 0-8: 1

Wings configuration

Do not reinstall MariaDB if already present:

Would you like to install MariaDB... (y/N): n

Keep manual firewall management:

Do you want to automatically configure UFW (firewall)? (y/N): n

Configure HTTPS to secure communications:

Do you want to automatically configure HTTPS... (y/N): y
Set the FQDN: node.ouiheberg.com
I agree... (y/N): y
Enter email address: [email protected]
Proceed with installation? (y/N): y

✅ Wings is ready.

Linking the Node to the panel

Creating a location

Go to Locations and add a new location. The name is free: it helps organize your nodes by geographical area or usage.

Adding the Node

In Nodes, click on Create New and fill in the fields:

Parameter	Description
Name	Name identifying the node
FQDN	Domain or IP of the Wings server
Connection	HTTPS if SSL active, HTTP otherwise
Total Memory	Allocated memory (e.g., 1024 for 1 GB)
Total Disk Space	Available disk space
Over-Allocation	Allowed over-allocation percentage (0 if not desired)

Finalizing the connection

After creation, open the Configuration tab of the Node. Generate a token and copy the displayed command.

Run this command on your VPS via SSH, then activate Wings:

systemctl enable --now wings
systemctl start wings

Resolving common issues

Symptom	Probable Cause	Solution
Panel inaccessible	DNS not propagated correctly or incorrect FQDN	Check DNS configuration
Disconnected Node	Ports blocked by the firewall	Open ports 8080 and 2022
Wings fails to start	Invalid SSL certificate	Check logs: `journalctl -u wings`
Database error	Inactive or misconfigured MariaDB	Check: `systemctl status mariadb`
SSL failure	Domain not pointing to the VPS	Correct the A DNS record

Security recommendations

Adopt these best practices for a sustainable installation:

Use dedicated domain names for the panel and each node
Always enable HTTPS with a valid certificate
Keep your system up to date: apt update && apt upgrade -y
Create separate user accounts instead of using the admin daily
Schedule regular backups of the database and configuration files

To conclude

The installation script significantly simplifies the deployment of Pterodactyl, but rigorous network and SSL configuration remains essential. By following this guide and the security recommendations, you have a solid platform to host your game servers.