How To Install OnlyOffice on Debian 13

Installing OnlyOffice on Debian 13 provides organizations and individual users with a powerful, Microsoft Office-compatible office suite that supports real-time collaboration and comprehensive document editing capabilities. OnlyOffice has emerged as a leading alternative to proprietary office software, offering both desktop and server-based solutions that integrate seamlessly with Linux environments.

This comprehensive installation guide covers everything from system preparation to advanced configuration, ensuring successful OnlyOffice deployment on your Debian 13 system. Whether you’re setting up OnlyOffice Desktop Editors for personal use or implementing Document Server for enterprise collaboration, this tutorial provides multiple installation methods and troubleshooting solutions.

The following sections detail system requirements, pre-installation preparation, various installation approaches, and post-installation configuration. You’ll also find security best practices, maintenance procedures, and integration options to maximize your OnlyOffice deployment effectiveness.

Understanding OnlyOffice Versions and Components

OnlyOffice Desktop Editors vs Document Server

OnlyOffice Desktop Editors serves as the offline document editing solution, providing comprehensive word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation capabilities directly on your workstation. This standalone application functions independently of internet connectivity, making it ideal for individual users and small teams requiring reliable document editing tools.

OnlyOffice Document Server, conversely, operates as an online collaboration platform that enables real-time document editing through web browsers. Document Server integrates with various cloud platforms and content management systems, supporting simultaneous multi-user editing with live synchronization capabilities.

The Community Edition offers core functionality without licensing restrictions, while the Developer Edition includes advanced features such as mobile editing interfaces, form creation tools, and extended plugin support. Enterprise deployments typically benefit from the Developer Edition’s enhanced security features and technical support options.

Key Features and Benefits

OnlyOffice maintains exceptional Microsoft Office compatibility, ensuring seamless document exchange without formatting issues or feature limitations. The suite supports DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX formats natively, along with OpenDocument standards and PDF generation capabilities.

Real-time collaboration features enable multiple users to edit documents simultaneously, with live cursor tracking, comment threading, and revision history management. The platform includes comprehensive reviewing tools, track changes functionality, and approval workflows that streamline document collaboration processes.

Integration capabilities extend OnlyOffice functionality through APIs and plugins, connecting with popular cloud storage services, project management platforms, and customer relationship management systems. The open-source foundation ensures transparency, customization flexibility, and freedom from vendor lock-in scenarios.

System Requirements and Prerequisites

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Debian 13 systems running OnlyOffice require substantial hardware resources to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Memory allocation represents the most critical factor, with 2 GB RAM serving as the absolute minimum for basic functionality, though 4 GB or more delivers significantly improved performance under normal workloads.

Processor requirements encompass dual-core configurations running at 2 GHz minimum, though quad-core processors provide better responsiveness during intensive document processing operations. Modern 64-bit architecture support is mandatory, as OnlyOffice packages exclusively target x86_64 platforms without 32-bit compatibility.

Storage considerations demand at least 40 GB free disk space for complete installation, including system dependencies, document storage, and temporary file management. Additionally, configuring 4 GB swap space helps prevent memory-related performance bottlenecks during peak usage periods.

Software Dependencies

OnlyOffice installation on Debian 13 requires specific software components and libraries to function correctly. The system must run kernel version 3.13 or higher, which Debian 13 satisfies by default, ensuring compatibility with modern containerization and security features.

Database requirements center around PostgreSQL 12.9 or later versions, providing the robust data storage foundation necessary for document management, user authentication, and collaboration features. NGINX 1.3.13 or newer handles web server functionality, reverse proxy configuration, and SSL termination for secure connections.

RabbitMQ message broker facilitates real-time communication between OnlyOffice components, enabling collaborative editing features and service coordination. The libstdc++6 library version 4.8.4 or later provides essential C++ runtime support, while Node.js enables JavaScript-based functionality within the document editing environment.

Pre-Installation System Preparation

System Update and Basic Tools

Begin the installation process by ensuring your Debian 13 system contains the latest security updates and package definitions. Execute the following commands to refresh package indexes and upgrade existing components:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install essential system tools that facilitate the OnlyOffice installation process and ongoing maintenance activities:

sudo apt install curl wget vim gnupg2 software-properties-common -y

Verify system architecture compatibility by confirming 64-bit operation:

uname -m

The output should display “x86_64” to confirm compatibility with OnlyOffice packages.

Enabling Required Repositories

Debian 13 installations often require additional repositories to access all necessary dependencies. Edit the sources list to include contrib and non-free repositories:

sudo vim /etc/apt/sources.list

Ensure each repository line includes “contrib non-free” components:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free

Update the package cache after repository modifications:

sudo apt update

This configuration provides access to proprietary drivers, codecs, and fonts required by OnlyOffice for complete functionality.

Installing Core Dependencies

PostgreSQL installation and configuration forms the foundation of OnlyOffice data storage. Install PostgreSQL and create the necessary database structure:

sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib -y
sudo systemctl start postgresql
sudo systemctl enable postgresql

Create a dedicated database and user for OnlyOffice:

sudo -u postgres createdb onlyoffice
sudo -u postgres createuser -P onlyoffice
sudo -u postgres psql -c "GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE onlyoffice TO onlyoffice;"

Install RabbitMQ server for message handling:

sudo apt install rabbitmq-server -y
sudo systemctl start rabbitmq-server
sudo systemctl enable rabbitmq-server

NGINX installation provides web server capabilities:

sudo apt install nginx -y
sudo systemctl start nginx
sudo systemctl enable nginx

Method 1: Installation via Official Repository

Adding OnlyOffice Repository

The official repository method provides the most reliable installation approach with automatic update capabilities. Download and configure the OnlyOffice GPG signing key for package verification:

mkdir -p ~/.gnupg
chmod 700 ~/.gnupg
curl -fsSL https://download.onlyoffice.com/GPG-KEY-ONLYOFFICE | sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring gnupg-ring:/etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/onlyoffice.gpg --import
sudo chmod 644 /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/onlyoffice.gpg

Add the OnlyOffice repository to your system sources:

echo "deb https://download.onlyoffice.com/repo/debian squeeze main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/onlyoffice.list

Update the package index to incorporate the new repository:

sudo apt update

Verify repository addition by checking available OnlyOffice packages:

apt-cache search onlyoffice

Installing OnlyOffice Package

Microsoft Core Fonts installation ensures proper document rendering and compatibility:

echo "ttf-mscorefonts-installer msttcorefonts/accepted-mscorefonts-eula select true" | sudo debconf-set-selections
sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer -y

Install OnlyOffice Document Server with all dependencies:

sudo apt install onlyoffice-documentserver -y

The installation process automatically configures services, creates necessary users, and establishes file permissions. Monitor the installation output for any error messages or configuration prompts.

Post-Installation Repository Setup

Verify successful installation by checking service status:

sudo systemctl status ds-docservice
sudo systemctl status ds-converter
sudo systemctl status ds-metrics

All services should display “active (running)” status. Test package version and installation completeness:

dpkg -l | grep onlyoffice

This command confirms installed OnlyOffice packages and version numbers for troubleshooting reference.

Method 2: Installation via DEB Package

Downloading Official DEB Package

Direct DEB package installation provides an alternative when repository access proves problematic or when specific version control requirements exist. Navigate to the official OnlyOffice download page and locate the Debian package section.

Download the appropriate DEB package for your system architecture:

wget https://github.com/ONLYOFFICE/DesktopEditors/releases/latest/download/onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb

Verify package integrity using checksums provided on the download page:

sha256sum onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb

Compare the output against published checksums to ensure package authenticity and prevent security vulnerabilities.

Installing DEB Package

Install the downloaded package using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb

Resolve any dependency issues that arise during installation:

sudo apt install -f

Alternatively, use APT to handle dependencies automatically:

sudo apt install ./onlyoffice-desktopeditors_amd64.deb

This approach automatically resolves dependencies while installing the local package file.

Advantages and Disadvantages

DEB package installation offers precise version control and offline installation capabilities, making it suitable for environments with restricted internet access or specific compliance requirements. However, manual updates become necessary as automatic repository updates don’t apply to manually installed packages.

This method proves advantageous when testing specific OnlyOffice versions or when organizational policies require manual software approval processes.

Method 3: Alternative Installation Methods

Snap Package Installation

Snap packages provide containerized application distribution with automatic dependency management. Install snapd if not already present:

sudo apt install snapd -y

Install OnlyOffice Desktop Editors via Snap Store:

sudo snap install onlyoffice-desktopeditors

Snap installation creates isolated application environments with controlled resource access and automatic update mechanisms. However, snap applications may experience slightly increased startup times compared to native packages.

Docker Container Deployment

Docker-based deployment offers exceptional flexibility and isolation for OnlyOffice Document Server installations. Install Docker Engine:

sudo apt install docker.io -y
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Deploy OnlyOffice Document Server container:

sudo docker run -i -t -d -p 80:80 --restart=always \
-v /app/onlyoffice/DocumentServer/logs:/var/log/onlyoffice \
-v /app/onlyoffice/DocumentServer/data:/var/www/onlyoffice/Data \
onlyoffice/documentserver

Container deployment facilitates easy updates, rollbacks, and multi-instance management for high-availability scenarios.

Post-Installation Configuration

Initial System Configuration

Complete database configuration by accessing OnlyOffice administrative interface. Open your web browser and navigate to your server’s IP address or domain name. The setup wizard guides you through initial configuration steps.

Configure custom ports if default port 80 conflicts with existing services:

sudo vim /etc/onlyoffice/documentserver/default.json

Modify the port configuration within the services section and restart OnlyOffice services:

sudo systemctl restart ds-*

PostgreSQL user permissions may require adjustment for optimal security:

sudo -u postgres psql
\c onlyoffice
GRANT CONNECT ON DATABASE onlyoffice TO onlyoffice;
GRANT USAGE ON SCHEMA public TO onlyoffice;
\q

Service Management

Configure OnlyOffice services for automatic startup:

sudo systemctl enable ds-docservice ds-converter ds-metrics

Monitor service logs for troubleshooting purposes:

sudo journalctl -u ds-docservice -f

Create service management aliases for simplified administration:

echo "alias ds-restart='sudo systemctl restart ds-docservice ds-converter ds-metrics'" >> ~/.bashrc
echo "alias ds-status='sudo systemctl status ds-docservice ds-converter ds-metrics'" >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

These aliases streamline common administrative tasks and reduce command complexity.

Firewall and Security Configuration

Firewall Rules Setup

Configure UFW firewall to allow OnlyOffice traffic while maintaining system security:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable

For custom port configurations, adjust firewall rules accordingly:

sudo ufw allow [custom_port]/tcp

Restrict access to specific networks when possible:

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 80

This approach limits OnlyOffice access to trusted network segments.

Security Best Practices

Implement SSL/TLS encryption for production deployments. Obtain certificates through Let’s Encrypt or commercial certificate authorities:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
sudo certbot --nginx -d your-domain.com

Configure NGINX for HTTPS redirection and enhanced security headers:

sudo vim /etc/nginx/sites-available/onlyoffice-ssl

Implement regular backup procedures for OnlyOffice data and configuration:

sudo crontab -e
# Add: 0 2 * * * /usr/local/bin/onlyoffice-backup.sh

Regular security updates maintain system integrity and protect against vulnerabilities.

Verification and Testing

Service Status Verification

Confirm all OnlyOffice services operate correctly:

sudo systemctl is-active ds-docservice ds-converter ds-metrics

Test database connectivity:

sudo -u postgres psql -c "SELECT version();" onlyoffice

Verify web interface accessibility by accessing the server URL through a web browser. The OnlyOffice welcome screen should display without errors.

Functionality Testing

Create test documents in various formats to verify editing capabilities. Test document conversion between different formats (DOC to PDF, XLSX to ODS) to ensure converter functionality.

Verify collaboration features by opening the same document in multiple browser sessions and confirming real-time synchronization. Check comment functionality, revision tracking, and user permission systems.

Common Troubleshooting Issues

Installation Problems

Dependency resolution failures often occur due to repository conflicts or missing packages. Clear APT cache and retry installation:

sudo apt clean
sudo apt autoclean
sudo apt update

GPG key verification issues require proper keyring configuration:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys [KEY_ID]

Repository access problems may necessitate mirror selection or proxy configuration:

sudo vim /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/proxy.conf
# Add: Acquire::http::Proxy "http://proxy:port";

Package configuration errors sometimes require manual dependency installation and reconfiguration using dpkg-reconfigure commands.

Runtime Issues

Service startup failures often stem from port conflicts or permission problems. Check port usage:

sudo netstat -tulpn | grep :80

Database connection problems require PostgreSQL service verification and user permission validation:

sudo systemctl status postgresql
sudo -u postgres psql -c "\du"

Font rendering issues need Microsoft Core Fonts installation or manual font configuration:

sudo fc-cache -fv
fc-list | grep -i microsoft

Permission-related problems may require ownership correction and SELinux context adjustment in secured environments.

Maintenance and Updates

Regular Update Procedures

Maintain OnlyOffice installations through regular package updates:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade onlyoffice-documentserver

Monitor OnlyOffice release notes for security updates and feature enhancements. Test updates in development environments before applying to production systems.

Create system snapshots before major updates to facilitate rollback if necessary:

sudo apt install timeshift -y
sudo timeshift --create --comments "Pre-OnlyOffice-Update"

System Maintenance

Implement log rotation to prevent disk space exhaustion:

sudo vim /etc/logrotate.d/onlyoffice

Configure database maintenance tasks including vacuum operations and index rebuilding:

sudo -u postgres vacuumdb --analyze --verbose onlyoffice

Monitor system resources and adjust OnlyOffice memory allocation based on usage patterns:

sudo vim /etc/onlyoffice/documentserver/default.json

Regular performance monitoring identifies bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.

Integration and Advanced Configuration

Third-Party Integration

OnlyOffice integrates seamlessly with popular cloud storage platforms including Nextcloud, ownCloud, and Seafile. Configure API endpoints and authentication credentials through the administrative interface.

LDAP authentication integration centralizes user management:

sudo vim /etc/onlyoffice/documentserver/local.json

Configure LDAP server details, search base, and attribute mappings for seamless directory integration.

Performance Optimization

Optimize memory allocation based on concurrent user requirements:

{
  "services": {
    "CoAuthoring": {
      "server": {
        "maxRequestChanges": 20000
      }
    }
  }
}

Implement caching strategies using Redis for improved response times:

sudo apt install redis-server -y

Load balancing configurations distribute user requests across multiple OnlyOffice instances for enhanced scalability.

Uninstallation Process

Complete Removal Procedures

Remove OnlyOffice packages completely:

sudo apt purge onlyoffice-documentserver* -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

Clean configuration files and user data:

sudo rm -rf /etc/onlyoffice
sudo rm -rf /var/www/onlyoffice
sudo rm -rf /var/log/onlyoffice

Remove repository entries:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/onlyoffice.list
sudo apt update

Data Cleanup

Preserve user documents before database removal:

sudo -u postgres pg_dump onlyoffice > onlyoffice_backup.sql

Remove OnlyOffice database and user:

sudo -u postgres dropdb onlyoffice
sudo -u postgres dropuser onlyoffice

Verify complete system cleanup by checking for remaining OnlyOffice processes and files.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed OnlyOffice. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of the OnlyOffice free and open-source office suite pack on Debian 13 “Trixie”. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official OnlyOffice website.