- Install and open meshDeckThere is no account to create. The app opens on an empty Fleet screen with an Add host button.
- Pick how you will connectChoose the one that fits your host:
- Tailscale SSH. The easiest, if the host is on your tailnet with Tailscale SSH enabled. No key at all.
- SSH with a new key. meshDeck makes a key on your phone. You paste one command on the host, once.
- Portainer. Paste your server's address and an access token.
- Add the hostTap Add host, fill in the address and username, choose how to sign in, and tap Connect. The first time, compare the fingerprint it shows with the host's and tap Trust and save. The full walk-through is in Adding a host.
- Look aroundYour containers appear as live cards, worst first. The card at the top counts what needs attention. Tap a container for its stats and actions, or open the Topology tab for the map.
- Go furtherDeploy a stack from a template, draw one in the builder, or set up AI diagnosis for the next time something breaks.
If you use Tailscale
You do not need the Tailscale app. Under Settings → Built-in Tailscale, sign in with your browser, and meshDeck can reach any host on your tailnet. See Tailscale.
If you use Portainer
In Portainer, open My account → Access tokens and create a token. In meshDeck choose Add host → Portainer, enter the server URL (for example https://portainer.example.com:9443) and the token, and pick the Docker environment you want.
Before you start
What you need
An iPhone or iPad on iOS 26 or later, and a host running Docker that you can reach by SSH (with access to the Docker socket), or a Portainer server. The free plan covers one host with every feature.
Nothing to open on the host
You do not open a port, and you never expose Docker’s API. meshDeck goes in through SSH, Tailscale or Portainer’s HTTPS.