Set Up SSL

SSL must be configured before you can log in. When you open the app for the first time, you will be redirected to the SSL setup screen automatically.

SSL setup options link

Choose one of three options:

Option 1 — Free rtsurvey.com subdomain (Recommended) link

This is the fastest option. No domain registration or DNS changes required.

1. Click Free rtsurvey.com subdomain to expand the section

2. Type your desired subdomain name in the input field

   Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. 3–30 characters. Example: myproject → myproject.rtsurvey.com

3. Click Create https://[subdomain].rtsurvey.com

4. Wait 2–5 minutes while the certificate is issued

5. Once the certificate is ready, you will be redirected to your new HTTPS URL automatically

Option 2 — My own domain link

Use this if you have an existing domain and its DNS A record already points to this server’s IP.

1. Click My own domain to expand the section
2. Enter your full domain name (e.g. survey.myorganization.org)
3. Click Create certificate

Let’s Encrypt will verify your domain and issue a certificate. This requires DNS to be correctly pointed first — the request will fail otherwise.

Option 3 — Install certificate manually link

For enterprise environments using a custom or internal CA. You will place your certificate files on the server via SSH, then enter your domain in the app.

Prerequisites link

• SSH access to the server
• A valid certificate and private key for your domain (PEM format)

Step 1 — SSH into the server link

  ssh root@<server-ip>
  

Step 2 — Place your certificate files link

Create the directory and copy your files:

  mkdir -p /etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>
  

Copy your files into that directory with these exact names:

Example:

  # Copy from your local machine (run this locally, not on the server)
scp fullchain.pem root@<server-ip>:/etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/fullchain.pem
scp privkey.pem  root@<server-ip>:/etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/privkey.pem
  

Set correct permissions:

  chmod 644 /etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/fullchain.pem
chmod 600 /etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/privkey.pem
  

Step 3 — Enter your domain in the app link

1. In the SSL setup screen, click Install certificate manually
2. Enter your domain name (must match the certificate’s Common Name or SAN)
3. Click Apply

The server will configure Nginx with your certificate and reload automatically.

Next step link

Once SSL is active, proceed to First Login.