InfraOps: AI-Powered VPS Management | Claude Code DevOps Guide

Problem: You can build apps with AI, but deploying them to a VPS feels like speaking a foreign language. SSH, Docker, Nginx, SSL certificates - the gap between "working locally" and "live on the internet" stops countless projects.

Here's the solution. Set up SSL on your domain in one command:

ssh ubuntu@your-server "certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com --non-interactive --agree-tos -m [email protected]"

That's Claude running a certbot command on your VPS. No Googling configuration guides. No copying Stack Overflow answers. Just ask Claude what you need.

What Is InfraOps?

InfraOps is a specialized ClaudeFast skill that transforms Claude Code into a VPS management expert. It includes server reference files, deployment guides, security checklists, and command patterns - everything Claude needs to help you manage infrastructure.

Think of it as giving Claude a DevOps handbook. When you ask "deploy my Next.js app," Claude knows exactly how to SSH in, set up Docker, configure Nginx, and obtain SSL certificates.

What InfraOps Handles

InfraOps covers the full VPS lifecycle:

• SSH connections: Secure remote access and command execution
• Docker management: Install Docker, run containers, manage compose files
• Coolify PaaS: GUI-based deployments (your personal Vercel)
• Nginx configuration: Reverse proxy setup for any application
• SSL certificates: Let's Encrypt automation with auto-renewal
• Security hardening: UFW firewall, Fail2ban, SSH key-only authentication
• Email infrastructure: Transactional email setup with Maillayer

Two Ways to Use InfraOps

Option 1: As a ClaudeFast Skill

If you already use ClaudeFast, InfraOps loads automatically when you mention VPS, SSH, or deployment keywords. Your main project keeps app development context, and infrastructure knowledge loads only when needed.

Perfect for: Developers who build AND deploy their own projects.

Option 2: As a Standalone Repo

Clone the infra-ops-clean folder as a separate repository dedicated to VPS management. This keeps infrastructure context completely isolated from your application code.

Perfect for: Managing multiple servers, or keeping DevOps work separate from development.

Getting Started

Step 1: Configure Your Server

Edit vps-core.md with your server details:

| **Provider** | AWS Lightsail |
| **IP** | 123.45.67.89 |
| **Username** | ubuntu |
| **SSH Key** | keys/my-server.pem |

Step 2: Add Your SSH Key

Place your .pem file in the keys/ folder. Never commit this file - it's automatically gitignored.

Step 3: Start Managing

Ask Claude naturally:

• "Check if nginx is running on my server"
• "Deploy my app with Docker compose"
• "Set up SSL for mydomain.com"
• "Harden security on my new VPS"

Claude SSHs into your server and runs the appropriate commands.

Example: Docker Deployment

Here's a real deployment command Claude might run:

ssh ubuntu@your-server "cd /opt/apps/myapp && docker compose pull && docker compose up -d"

Claude handles the entire workflow: connecting via SSH, navigating to your app directory, pulling the latest images, and restarting containers.

Security Considerations

InfraOps includes production-ready security practices:

• SSH keys only: Password authentication disabled by default
• Firewall templates: UFW configurations that block unnecessary ports
• Fail2ban rules: Automatic IP blocking after failed login attempts
• Credential isolation: Sensitive data stored in gitignored files

Important: Never store actual credentials in committed files. The template uses <YOUR_*> placeholders - replace these locally but don't commit them.

Common Errors

Error: "Permission denied (publickey)" Fix: Verify your .pem file path and permissions (chmod 400 your-key.pem)

Error: "Connection refused" Fix: Check your server IP and ensure SSH port 22 is open in your firewall

Next Steps

1. Get ClaudeFast: The full framework includes InfraOps plus 15+ specialized skills - see what's included
2. Learn CLAUDE.md: Configure Claude Code properly first - CLAUDE.md best practices
3. Understand skills: How ClaudeFast skills work - skills guide
4. Set up hooks: Automate skill loading - skill activation hook

InfraOps bridges the gap between building and deploying. You focus on your application - Claude handles the infrastructure.