diff --git a/docs/AUTO_STARTING.md b/docs/AUTO_STARTING.md
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+# Auto-starting DrawIt
+
+After you know that DrawIt is up and running, you should have a mechanism that auto-start the service.
+
+## SystemD
+
+A common way to auto-start a service is to use systemd. There is a [dedicated file](SYSTEMD.md) for how to use this method.
+
+## PM2
+
+Another way to start the service is using something called PM2. This can be used for any npm/node project.
+
+### Guide
+
+1. Install PM2: `npm install pm2`
+2. Install PM2 Logrotate: `npm install pm2-logrotate`
+3. Start the server: `pm2 start npm --name "drawit" -- start`
+
+You should now be running your very own DrawIt instance!
+
+## Additional reading
+
+After you know *it works!*, you should set up a [reverse proxy](REVERSE_PROXIES.md).
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diff --git a/docs/BUILDING.md b/docs/BUILDING.md
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+# Building guide
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- [node](https://nodejs.org/en/download) v22.22.0+
+- npm v10.9.4+
+- git v2.34.1+
+
+Other versions may work, they are simply untested.
+
+## Guide
+
+1. Clone the repo:                              `git clone https://git.dou.bet/iamdoubz/drawit.git`
+2. Enter the repo:                              `cd drawit`
+3. Install DrawIt's dependencies:               `npm install --omit=dev`
+4. Copy env example:                            `cp .env.example .env.local`
+5. Edit `.env.local` to match your environment: `nano .env.local`
+
+**NOTE:** be sure to generate a long and unique `SESSION_SECRET`. Recommendation: `openssl rand -hex 32`
+
+6. Build the production assets:                 `npm run build`
+7. OPTIONALLY, check the TypeScript files:      `npm run typecheck`
+8. Start the server:                            `npm run start`
+
+You should now be running your very own DrawIt instance!
+
+## Additional reading
+
+After you know *it works!*, you should set up an [init startup service](AUTO_STARTING.md) and [reverse proxy](REVERSE_PROXIES.md).
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diff --git a/docs/DOCKER.md b/docs/DOCKER.md
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+# Docker installation
+
+This guide does not cover how to install docker. Please use [docker's website](https://www.docker.com/get-started/) in order to find the best solution for you. If you already have docker installed, continue reading.
+
+## Pre-built images
+
+This is the recommended way by pulling images from the [repository](https://git.dou.bet/iamdoubz/drawit/packages/drawit).
+
+### Docker-Compose
+
+1. Copy the contents of `.env.example` and paste them into a file called `.env`
+2. Change the variables to match your environment
+3. Be sure to generate a long and secure SESSION_SECRET. My favorite is: `openssl rand -hex 32`
+4. Download the `docker-compose.yml` file and run `sudo docker compose up -d`
+5. DrawIt will be running on localhost on port 3000 by default
+
+### Building your own images
+
+If you really want to build your own image, you probably already know what you are doing. Best of luck!
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diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
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+++ b/docs/README.md
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+# Documentation files
+
+In this directory, you will find files relating to how DrawIt can be built, installed, auto-started, put behind a reverse proxy, and the thought process behind the creation of this application.
+
+## Getting started
+
+If you want to try out the lessons before you install your own instance, you can sign up at https://drawit.dou.bet.
+
+If you are ready to self-host your own instance of DrawIt, keep reading!
+
+## Docker
+
+The easiest way to setup your own instance is to use docker. See [DOCKER.md](DOCKER.md) for more details.
+
+## Building from source
+
+If you do not want to use docker, you can build it from source. See [BUILDING.md](BUILDING.md) for an in depth guide.
+
+## Reverse proxy
+
+It is *highly* recommended to use a reverse proxy in front of DrawIt. See [REVERSE_PROXIES.md](REVERSE_PROXIES.md) for some helpful information on how to set this up.
+
+## Auto-starting
+
+If you do not use docker, you should auto start DrawIt on system boot. See [AUTO_STARTING.md](AUTO_STARTING.md) for some options on how to do this.
+
+# Final thoughts
+
+The documentation is a living source. If something seems off or incorrect, create a new issue or even better, fork and make a pull request!
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diff --git a/docs/REVERSE_PROXIES.md b/docs/REVERSE_PROXIES.md
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+# Reverse Proxy
+
+This document will explain how to setup a reverse proxy for nginx/freenginx. Contributions for other reverse proxies are welcomed!
+
+## General prerequisites
+
+- A domain name pointed at your server e.g. `drawit.yourdomain.com`
+- Certbot installed for Let's Encrypt certificates (`sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx`)
+- Port-forwarding
+
+## nginx/freenginx
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- nginx/freenginx installed e.g. `sudo apt install nginx`
+- A domain name pointed at your server e.g. `drawit.yourdomain.com`
+- Certbot installed for Let's Encrypt certificates (`sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx`)
+
+### Install the config file
+
+Copy the provided config and substitute your domain:
+
+```bash
+sudo cp docs/drawit.conf /etc/nginx/sites-available/drawit.conf # OR sudo cp docs/drawit.conf /etc/nginx/conf.d/drawit.conf
+sudo sed -i 's/your.domain.com/drawit.yourdomain.com/g' /etc/nginx/[sites-available|conf.d]/drawit.conf
+```
+
+Enable the site (older nginx versions <1.19):
+
+```bash
+sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/drawit.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
+```
+
+Test and reload:
+
+```bash
+sudo nginx -t          # must print "syntax is ok"
+sudo nginx -s reload   # loads changes/new files
+```
+
+Visit your site `drawit.yourdomain.com` and see if it loads!
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diff --git a/docs/SYSTEMD.md b/docs/SYSTEMD.md
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+# SystemD
+
+There are many ways to create a systemd compatible service file. This guide is tailored to be "production ready".
+
+## Guide
+
+1. Create a new user named drawit: `sudo useradd --system --create-home --shell /usr/sbin/nologin drawit`
+2. Create env directory:           `sudo mkdir -p /etc/drawit`
+3. Copy `.env.example` here:       `sudo cp .env.example /etc/drawit/drawit.env`
+4. Change directory to /opt:       `cd /opt`
+5. Follow instructions to [clone the repo](BUILDING.md#guide). Skip steps 4, 5, and 8.
+6. Change permissions to drawit:   `sudo chown -R drawit:drawit /opt/drawit /etc/drawit`
+7. Create a new service file:      `sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/drawit.service`
+8. Paste in these contents:
+
+```
+[Unit]
+Description=DrawIt
+After=syslog.target network.target remote-fs.target nss-lookup.target network-online.target
+Wants=network-online.target
+Requires=nginx.service
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=drawit
+Group=drawit
+WorkingDirectory=/opt/drawit
+Environment=NODE_ENV=production
+Environment=PORT=3000
+EnvironmentFile=/etc/drawit/drawit.env
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/npm run start
+RestartSec=5
+KillSignal=SIGINT
+TimeoutStopSec=30
+SyslogIdentifier=drawit
+TimeoutSec=30
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+Restart=always
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+9. If you want to use a different port, make sure to change it e.g. `Environment=PORT=10000`
+10. OPTIONALLY reload system daemon: `sudo systemctl daemon-reload`
+11. Enable and start the service:    `sudo systemctl enable --now drawit.service`
+12. Check the service for errors:    `sudo systemctl status drawit.service`
+
+You should now be running your very own DrawIt instance!
+
+## Additional reading
+
+After you know *it works!*, you should set up a [reverse proxy](REVERSE_PROXIES.md).
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diff --git a/docs/drawit.conf b/docs/drawit.conf
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+# /etc/nginx/conf.d/drawit.conf
+#
+# Assumes:
+#   - drawit is listening on 127.0.0.1:3000 (PORT=3000)
+#   - TLS is terminated here at nginx (recommended)
+#   - Certbot / Let's Encrypt has already issued a certificate
+#
+# Enable:
+#   sudo nginx -t
+#   sudo systemctl reload nginx
+
+# ── Upstream ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+upstream drawit_backend {
+  server 127.0.0.1:3000;
+  # Keep a pool of connections to the backend so nginx does not open a new
+  # TCP connection for every WebSocket upgrade.
+  #keepalive 64;
+}
+
+server {
+    listen 80;
+    listen [::]:80;
+    server_name your.domain.com;
+
+    # Let's Encrypt ACME challenge — must be reachable over plain HTTP.
+    location /.well-known/acme-challenge/ {
+        root /var/www/certbot;
+    }
+
+    # Everything else redirects to HTTPS.
+    location / {
+        return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
+    }
+}
+
+server {
+    listen 443 ssl;
+    listen [::]:443 ssl;
+    http2 on;
+    server_name your.domain.com;
+
+    # Let's Encrypt Cert location
+    ssl_certificate     /etc/letsencrypt/live/your.domain.com/fullchain.pem;
+    ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/your.domain.com/privkey.pem;
+
+    # Modern TLS only — drops IE11 and very old Android.
+    ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;
+    ssl_ciphers ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305;
+    ssl_prefer_server_ciphers off;
+    ssl_session_cache shared:SSL:10m;
+    ssl_session_timeout 1d;
+    ssl_session_tickets off;
+
+    # Security Headers
+    add_header Referrer-Policy                   "no-referrer"       always;
+    add_header X-Content-Type-Options            "nosniff"           always;
+    add_header X-Frame-Options                   "SAMEORIGIN"        always; # Or DENY
+    add_header X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies "none"              always;
+    add_header X-Robots-Tag                      "noindex, nofollow" always;
+    add_header X-XSS-Protection                  "1; mode=block"     always;
+    add_header Permissions-Policy                "geolocation=(self), midi=(self), sync-xhr=(self), microphone=(self), camera=(self), magnetometer=(self), gyroscope=(self), fullscreen=(self), payment=(self), interest-cohort=()";
+    #add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=63072000; includeSubDomains" always; # Only enable this when you are ready!
+
+    # Logging
+    access_log /var/log/nginx/drawit_access.log;
+    error_log /var/log/nginx/drawit_error.log info;
+    # Or, disable logging altogether
+    #access_log off;
+    #error_log /dev/null crit;
+
+    # Proxy rules
+    location / {
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto https;
+        proxy_set_header Host $http_host;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+        proxy_ssl_verify off;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+        proxy_read_timeout 86400;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_pass http://drawit_backend;
+    }
+
+    # Block sensitive files
+    location ~* /(data|node_modules|src)/.*\.(db|db-shm|db-wal)$ {
+        deny all;
+    }
+    location ~* /(node_modules|src)/.*$ {
+        deny all;
+    }
+    # Block everything else
+    # Anything else gets a 444 (faster but confusing, change to 404 if you want) from nginx before it reaches the backend.
+    location ~* \.(php|asp|aspx|jsp|cgi|go|env|env.local|mod|sum|yaml|yml|md|gitignore|git|github|gitea|ts|mjs)$ {
+        return 444;
+    }
+
+}
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