Last updated on 5th March 2026

Global Servers

Global servers are account-level server templates that you can reuse across multiple projects in DeployHQ. Instead of configuring the same server details in every project, you can define a server once at the account level and then add it to any project that needs it.

Creating a global server

To create a global server, go to your DeployHQ account settings by clicking on "Settings" in the top bar, then click on "Global Servers" in the left column. Click "New Global Server" to begin.

Configure the server with the same options available for project servers:

  • Name -- A friendly name for the server.
  • Protocol -- The connection protocol (SSH/SFTP, FTP, FTPS, Rsync, etc.).
  • Connection details -- Hostname, username, port, and other protocol-specific settings.
  • Deployment path -- The directory on the server where files should be placed.

SSH key selection on global servers

For SSH-based protocols (SSH/SFTP, Rsync, or Shell), you can select a global SSH key from the key selector dropdown. This key will be used for authentication when the server is added to projects.

To use this feature, you must first create global SSH keys in Settings > SSH Keys. For more information, see Global SSH Keys.

Adding a global server to a project

To add a global server to a project, navigate to the project's Servers & Groups page and click "Add Global Server". A dialog will appear showing all available global servers. Select the server you want to add and click "Add Server".

When a global server is added to a project, DeployHQ creates a copy of the server configuration within the project. The project server is independent from the global server template, meaning:

  • The server name is copied. If a server with the same name already exists in the project, a numeric suffix is added to avoid conflicts.
  • All connection details, deployment path, and settings are copied.
  • If a global SSH key was selected on the global server, that key selection is preserved on the project server.

Editing after adding to a project

Once a global server has been added to a project, the resulting project server is fully independent. You can change any setting on the project server without affecting the original global server template, including:

  • Changing the server name or connection details.
  • Switching the SSH key selection between the project key and any global key.
  • Modifying the deployment path or advanced options.

Changes to the global server template do not automatically propagate to project servers that were previously created from it.