Nextcloud AppAPI

AppAPI is the Nextcloud component that enables External Apps (ExApps).

ExApps are Nextcloud apps whose backend runs outside the Nextcloud PHP process (typically as a Docker container). AppAPI provides the APIs and lifecycle management so these external backends can still integrate with Nextcloud users, permissions and the web UI.

AppAPI is only useful if you want to install or develop External Apps.

If you are here because of the warning “default deploy daemon is not set”

You might have seen this in the admin overview/security checks:

AppAPI default deploy daemon is not set. Please register a default deploy daemon …

This warning means:

• AppAPI is enabled, but no Deploy Daemon is configured, so Nextcloud cannot install/run External Apps yet.

You have two valid options:

1. You do not want External Apps

   • Disable AppAPI in Apps → Tools → AppAPI, or with:
     • occ app:disable app_api
   • The warning will disappear.

2. You want to install External Apps

   • Open Settings → Administration → AppAPI
   • Register a Deploy Daemon and set it as the default
   • Use Check connection and Test deploy to verify the setup

Key concepts (short glossary)

• External App (ExApp): a Nextcloud app where the backend runs as a separate service (usually a container), but is still installed/managed from Nextcloud and integrates with the Nextcloud UI.
• Deploy Daemon: the service Nextcloud talks to in order to install, start/stop, and reach ExApps. Without a Deploy Daemon, AppAPI cannot deploy ExApps.

Deploy Daemon options

HaRP (recommended for Nextcloud 32+)

HaRP (High-performance AppAPI Reverse Proxy) is the newer and recommended Deploy Daemon. It is a reverse proxy system designed specifically for ExApps:

• Proxies access to the Docker Engine used to create ExApp containers
• Routes requests directly to ExApps (bypassing the Nextcloud PHP process), improving performance and enabling WebSockets
• Uses FRP (Fast Reverse Proxy) tunnels so ExApp containers do not need to expose ports to the host — this simplifies networking and provides NAT traversal

Repository: https://github.com/nextcloud/HaRP

Docker Socket Proxy (DSP) — legacy

Docker Socket Proxy (often shortened as DSP) is the classic Deploy Daemon implementation. It is a security-hardened proxy in front of the Docker Engine socket/API and is protected by basic authentication and brute-force protection.

Note: DSP is being deprecated in favor of HaRP and is scheduled for removal in Nextcloud 35. New installations should use HaRP.

Repository: https://github.com/nextcloud/docker-socket-proxy

Security notes (for administrators)

Configuring a Deploy Daemon means allowing Nextcloud to orchestrate application containers. Keep these points in mind:

• Run HaRP/DSP in a trusted network and do not expose it to the public internet.
• Use strong secrets (HP_SHARED_KEY for HaRP, NC_HAPROXY_PASSWORD for DSP).
• For remote setups or untrusted networks, use TLS where supported and restrict access with firewall rules.
• Only deploy ExApps you trust, and keep their images up to date.

Why AppAPI exists (what it is useful for)

AppAPI is designed to make it easier to build and run ExApps in a way that is:

1. Stable for admins: ExApps integrate through defined interfaces instead of tightly coupling to server internals.
2. More isolated: ExApps run out-of-process and interact with Nextcloud through controlled APIs.
3. Suitable for heavy workloads: ExApps can run on separate hardware (including GPU-enabled hosts).
4. Language-friendly: ExApps can be written in languages other than PHP (Python/Node/Go/…).

Documentation

Latest documentation can be found here:

1. Admin manual:
   • AppAPI and External Apps: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/exapps_management/AppAPIAndExternalApps.html
   • Deployment configurations: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/exapps_management/DeployConfigurations.html
2. Developer manual:
   • ExApp development: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/developer_manual/exapp_development/index.html

Support

We appreciate any support for this project:

• ⭐ Star our work on GitHub
• ❗ Create an issue or feature request
• 💁 Resolve an issue and open a pull request
• 🧑‍💻 Build and publish ExApps using AppAPI

Thank you for helping improve ExApps and their ecosystem.