> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/ZhFahim/anchor/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Connecting to Server
> Configure your Anchor mobile app to connect to your self-hosted server
Anchor is a self-hosted application. To use the mobile app, you need to connect it to your running Anchor server instance.
## First Launch Setup
When you first open the Anchor mobile app, you'll be greeted with the server configuration screen.
The app will prompt you for your **Server URL**. This is the address where your Anchor server is running.
Enter your server URL in one of these formats:
* `https://anchor.yourdomain.com` (production deployment)
* `http://your-server-ip:3000` (local network)
* `http://10.0.2.2:3000` (Android emulator connecting to localhost)
* `http://localhost:3000` (iOS simulator)
The URL must start with `http://` or `https://`. Don't include a trailing slash.
Example valid URLs:
```
https://notes.example.com
http://192.168.1.100:3000
http://10.0.2.2:3000
```
Before connecting, tap the **Test** button to verify your server is reachable.
The app will:
1. Connect to your server's health endpoint (`/api/health`)
2. Verify it's a valid Anchor server
3. Display the server version if successful
If the test fails, double-check your URL and ensure your server is running and accessible from your device.
Once the test succeeds, tap **Connect** to save your server configuration.
The app will navigate to the login screen where you can authenticate with your credentials.
## Server URL Requirements
Your server URL must meet these requirements:
### Production Deployments
For production use with HTTPS:
```
https://anchor.yourdomain.com
```
* Must use HTTPS for security
* Requires a valid SSL certificate
* Accessible from the public internet
* No port number needed (defaults to 443)
### Local Network Access
For accessing a server on your local network:
```
http://192.168.1.100:3000
```
* Find your server's local IP address
* Include the port number (default: 3000)
* Both devices must be on the same network
* HTTP is acceptable for local development
### Android Emulator
If running the server on your development machine:
```
http://10.0.2.2:3000
```
* `10.0.2.2` is a special alias to your host machine's localhost
* This only works in Android emulators, not physical devices
### iOS Simulator
If running on iOS simulator:
```
http://localhost:3000
```
* iOS simulators can directly access the host machine's localhost
* This only works in simulators, not physical devices
## Connection Validation
The app validates your server by checking the `/api/health` endpoint:
```json theme={null}
{
"app": "anchor",
"version": "0.9.1"
}
```
This ensures you're connecting to a valid Anchor server and displays the server version.
## Changing Server URL
If you need to connect to a different server:
1. Tap the menu icon (≡) in the top-left
2. Select **Settings** from the drawer
1. Scroll to the **Server** section
2. Tap **Server URL** to see your current server
3. Tap **Change Server** to enter a new URL
After changing servers, you'll be logged out and need to sign in again with credentials for the new server.
Changing servers will clear local data from the previous server. Ensure your notes are synced before switching.
## Troubleshooting
### Connection Timeout
**Error**: "Connection timed out. Check the URL and try again."
**Solutions**:
* Verify the server is running: `curl http://your-server:3000/api/health`
* Check your network connection
* Ensure your firewall allows connections on the server port
* For local servers, verify your device is on the same network
### Could Not Connect to Server
**Error**: "Could not connect to server. Check the URL."
**Solutions**:
* Verify the URL format is correct (starts with `http://` or `https://`)
* Check for typos in the domain or IP address
* Ensure the port number is correct
* Try accessing the URL in your device's web browser first
### Invalid Server Response
**Error**: "Invalid server response. Is this an Anchor server?"
**Solutions**:
* Ensure you're connecting to an Anchor server, not a different application
* Verify the server is fully started and healthy
* Check server logs for errors
* Ensure the `/api/health` endpoint is accessible
### SSL Certificate Errors
If using HTTPS with a self-signed certificate:
Self-signed certificates are not supported in production builds for security reasons. Use a valid SSL certificate from a trusted authority (e.g., Let's Encrypt).
For development, use HTTP on a local network instead.
## Network Requirements
### Ports
Ensure these ports are accessible:
* **3000**: Default Anchor server port (HTTP)
* **443**: HTTPS (if using SSL)
### Firewall Configuration
If your server has a firewall:
```bash theme={null}
# Allow Anchor server port
sudo ufw allow 3000/tcp
# Or for HTTPS
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
```
### Router Configuration
For remote access, configure port forwarding:
1. Forward external port 443 to internal port 3000 (or your server's port)
2. Use a dynamic DNS service if you don't have a static IP
3. Ensure your ISP allows incoming connections
For security, always use HTTPS when accessing your server over the internet.
## Authentication
After connecting to your server, you'll need to authenticate:
### Standard Login
1. Enter your email address
2. Enter your password
3. Tap **Sign In**
### OIDC Authentication
If your server has OpenID Connect configured:
1. Tap **Sign in with SSO**
2. You'll be redirected to your identity provider
3. Complete authentication in the browser
4. You'll be redirected back to the app
### Registration
If registration is enabled on your server:
1. Tap **Create Account** on the login screen
2. Enter your name, email, and password
3. Tap **Sign Up**
Registration may be disabled on some servers. Contact your server administrator if you need an account.
## Next Steps
Once connected and authenticated, learn about the app's offline capabilities:
Create and edit notes without an internet connection