Nginx UI — Web-Based Nginx Management Dashboard

Introduction

Nginx UI is a web-based management dashboard that simplifies Nginx administration. It replaces manual config file editing with a visual editor while still giving full access to raw configuration when needed.

What Nginx UI Does

• Visual editor for Nginx server blocks and configuration directives
• Automatic Let's Encrypt certificate issuance and renewal
• Real-time Nginx access and error log streaming
• Online ChatGPT-assisted configuration helper
• Nginx process control: start, stop, reload, and test from the browser

Architecture Overview

Nginx UI is written in Go with a Vue.js frontend. It reads and writes directly to Nginx config files on the host filesystem and manages the Nginx process via system calls. A lightweight SQLite database stores user accounts and metadata.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Deploy via Docker or install the binary on Linux, macOS, or Windows
• Mount the host Nginx config directory into the container
• Set NGINX_UI_OFFICIAL_PORT and admin credentials via environment variables
• Enable HTTPS with a self-signed or ACME-issued certificate
• Cron tab integration for scheduled Nginx config backups

Key Features

• Dark mode and responsive design for mobile management
• Two-factor authentication for admin accounts
• Multi-node management to control multiple Nginx instances
• Code completion for Nginx directives in the raw editor
• MCP server support for AI-powered configuration assistance

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Nginx Proxy Manager — focuses on reverse proxy and SSL; Nginx UI covers full Nginx config management
• Webmin — general server management; Nginx UI is purpose-built for Nginx
• Caddy — automatic HTTPS web server; Nginx UI adds a GUI to existing Nginx setups
• Portainer — container-focused; Nginx UI targets Nginx configuration specifically

FAQ

Q: Does Nginx UI replace Nginx? A: No. It is a companion dashboard that manages an existing Nginx installation.

Q: Can I still edit config files manually? A: Yes. Changes made on the filesystem are reflected in the UI after a page refresh.

Q: Is HTTPS configuration automated? A: Yes. Nginx UI integrates with Let's Encrypt and supports automatic certificate renewal.

Q: Does it support multiple Nginx servers? A: Yes. The multi-node feature lets you manage several Nginx instances from one dashboard.

Sources

• https://github.com/0xJacky/nginx-ui
• https://nginxui.com