# RustDesk — Self-Hosted Open Source Remote Desktop

> RustDesk is a full-featured open-source remote desktop application written in Rust. It offers a self-hosted alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk, giving you full control over your data with your own relay and rendezvous servers.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# RustDesk — Self-Hosted Open Source Remote Desktop

## Quick Use
```bash
# Run the server with Docker
docker compose up -d

# Or install the client on any platform
# Download from https://rustdesk.com/
```

## Introduction
RustDesk provides a self-hosted remote desktop solution written in Rust, designed as a drop-in replacement for commercial tools like TeamViewer. By running your own server, you keep full control over connections and data without depending on third-party infrastructure.

## What RustDesk Does
- Provides remote desktop access across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Lets you run your own relay and rendezvous servers for private connectivity
- Supports unattended access, file transfer, and TCP tunneling
- Offers end-to-end encryption for all remote sessions
- Includes a web-based admin console for managing devices and users

## Architecture Overview
RustDesk consists of a client application and two server components: the rendezvous server (hbbs) that handles peer discovery, and the relay server (hbbr) that proxies traffic when direct P2P connections fail. The client is written in Rust with a Flutter-based UI on mobile platforms and Sciter/Flutter on desktop. Communication uses a custom protocol over TCP/UDP with optional encryption.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Deploy hbbs and hbbr with a single Docker Compose file on any VPS
- Requires ports 21115-21119 (TCP) and 21116 (UDP) open on your firewall
- Configure clients to point to your server by setting the ID and relay server addresses
- Supports key-based authentication to prevent unauthorized relay usage
- Optional integration with LDAP or OIDC for centralized user management

## Key Features
- Works behind NATs and firewalls via hole-punching with relay fallback
- Adaptive codec selection (VP8, VP9, AV1, H264, H265) for optimal quality
- Built-in file transfer, clipboard sync, and chat
- Supports 2FA and role-based access control in the Pro edition
- Active development with frequent releases and a large contributor community

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **TeamViewer** — commercial, no self-hosting, usage limits on free tier
- **AnyDesk** — proprietary, limited self-hosted relay options
- **Apache Guacamole** — web-only, uses RDP/VNC/SSH rather than its own protocol
- **MeshCentral** — open-source with web UI but heavier to deploy
- **TigerVNC** — lightweight VNC but lacks built-in NAT traversal and relay

## FAQ
**Q: Do I need a public server to use RustDesk?**
A: You can use the public servers for testing, but running your own hbbs/hbbr is recommended for privacy and reliability.

**Q: What are the system requirements for the server?**
A: Minimal — a 1-core VPS with 1 GB RAM handles hundreds of concurrent connections.

**Q: Is RustDesk truly free?**
A: The client and server are open source (AGPL-3.0). A Pro edition adds features like OIDC, web console, and audit logs.

**Q: Can I use RustDesk for unattended access?**
A: Yes, set a permanent password on the remote machine and enable the system service for boot-time availability.

## Sources
- https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk
- https://rustdesk.com/docs/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/b21fc4ef-3d17-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot