You can choose between two python package managers, `venv` and `pipenv`. Both are fine but if you don't know what you're doing, just go for the first option.
By default, LNbits will use SQLite as its database. You can also use PostgreSQL which is recommended for applications with a high load (see guide below).
Now modify the `.env` file with any settings you prefer and add a proper [funding source](./wallets.md) by modifying the value of `LNBITS_BACKEND_WALLET_CLASS` and providing the extra information and credentials related to the chosen funding source.
You might also need to install additional packages or perform additional setup steps, depending on the chosen backend. See [the short guide](./wallets.md) on each different funding source.
Take a look at [Polar](https://lightningpolar.com/) for an excellent way of spinning up a Lightning Network dev environment.
If you already have LNbits installed and running, on an SQLite database, we **highly** recommend you migrate to postgres if you are planning to run LNbits on scale.
There's a script included that can do the migration easy. You should have Postgres already installed and there should be a password for the user (see Postgres install guide above). Additionally, your LNbits instance should run once on postgres to implement the database schema before the migration works:
Systemd is great for taking care of your LNbits instance. It will start it on boot and restart it in case it crashes. If you want to run LNbits as a systemd service on your Debian/Ubuntu/Raspbian server, create a file at `/etc/systemd/system/lnbits.service` with the following content:
The most common way of using LNbits via https is to use a reverse proxy such as Caddy, nginx, or ngriok. However, you can also run LNbits via https without additional software. This is useful for development purposes or if you want to use LNbits in your local network.
We have to create a self-signed certificate using `mkcert`. Note that this certiciate is not "trusted" by most browsers but that's fine (since you know that you have created it) and encryption is always better than clear text.
#### Install mkcert
You can find the install instructions for `mkcert` [here](https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert).
To create a certificate, first `cd` into your lnbits folder and execute the following command ([more info](https://kifarunix.com/how-to-create-self-signed-ssl-certificate-with-mkcert-on-ubuntu-18-04/))
```sh
# add your local IP (192.x.x.x) as well if you want to use it in your local network
mkcert localhost 127.0.0.1 ::1
```
This will create two new files (`localhost-key.pem` and `localhost.pem `) which you can then pass to uvicorn when you start LNbits:
If you want to run LNbits on your Umbrel but want it to be reached through clearnet, _Uxellodunum_ made an extensive [guide](https://community.getumbrel.com/t/guide-lnbits-without-tor/604) on how to do it.
