Getting started with Element Server Suite Community (matrix-conf-2025)

Join us for an introduction to the Element Server Suite Community, the simplest way to deploy a Kubernetes-based Matrix 2.0-ready stack, maintained by Element. This workshop will deploy all the components of the suite: a Synapse homeserver with Matrix Authentication Service enabled, a Matrix RTC backend for calls, and an Element web client. You'll be able to try it on your local laptop using your Docker daemon, or deploy it on a virtual machine with a single-node Kubernetes setup. Whether you're new to Kubernetes and Matrix or looking to expand your server capabilities, this session will give you the foundation to get started and experience the latest Matrix features on your own machine. This workshop introduces you to the Element Server Suite (ESS), a streamlined and user-friendly way to deploy a Kubernetes-based Matrix 2.0-ready stack. No prior Kubernetes experience is required ! The suite is designed to be simple and accessible for both beginners and experienced users. During the session, you’ll walk through a hands-on deployment using one of three options: - your own Kubernetes cluster - a virtual machine with a single-node k3s cluster - or your laptop running KinD (Kubernetes in Docker). You’ll gain insight into the architecture of the suite, learn how to set up a self-hosted Matrix server, and explore how ESS can be customized to meet the needs of your community. By the end, you'll have a working Matrix 2.0 environment with a Synapse homeserver, Matrix Authentication Service, RTC backend, and Element web client - all ready to use! Licensed to the public under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ about this event: https://cfp.2025.matrix.org/matrix-conf-2025/talk/8N8HZS/