5 Apprise - Notifications (essential for Borgmatic)

Apprise sends notifications about your server and applications (e.g., backup success/failure). It supports email, Slack, Telegram, and 90+ providers. For detailed provider setup, see the official Apprise documentation.

Why Apprise?

• ✅ Essential for backups - Borgmatic uses Apprise for alerts
• ✅ Many providers - Email, Slack, Discord, Telegram, etc.
• ✅ Simple - One container, easy configuration

Prerequisites

• ✅ Traefik installed (Chapter 4)
• ✅ Docker running (Chapter 3)
• ✅ Optional: Subdomain (Chapter 4.5), e.g., notify.yourdomain.com

Step 1: Start Infinity Tools

sudo infinity-tools

Step 2: Install Apprise

1. Go to 📱 APPLICATIONS
2. Select Apprise
3. Choose Install Apprise

Using the Infinity Tools GUI

• Use ↑/↓ to move, Enter to select, Esc to go back
• Look for the turquoise cursor indicating the current selection
• Each screen shows a short description at the top explaining what’s needed

Step 2.1: Choose SSL Mode

You’ll see three options. Here’s what each means and when to use it:

• Traefik (recommended)
  • What it is: Uses your domain name with a trusted HTTPS certificate from Let’s Encrypt
  • What you need: A subdomain (e.g., notify.yourdomain.com) pointing to your server (see Chapter 4.5)
  • What you get: No browser warnings, a clean URL like https://notify.yourdomain.com/notify
  • Pick this if: You plan to use Apprise over the internet or want the simplest, secure setup
• Standalone HTTPS (self‑signed)
  • What it is: Uses HTTPS with a self‑signed certificate (your browser will warn it’s not trusted)
  • What you need: Just a free port (e.g., 8099)
  • What you get: URL like https://SERVER_IP:8099/notify with a warning you must accept once
  • Pick this if: You only use Apprise inside your own network and don’t want to set up a domain yet
• Standalone HTTP (not encrypted)
  • What it is: No encryption. Data is sent in plain text
  • What you need: A free port (e.g., 8098)
  • What you get: URL like http://SERVER_IP:8098/notify
  • Pick this only if: You’re testing temporarily on a private network and never expose it to the internet

Simple rule of thumb: Use Traefik if you have a domain; use Standalone HTTPS for quick local use; avoid HTTP on the internet.

Step 2.2: If You Choose Traefik

1. Enter your subdomain, e.g., notify.yourdomain.com
2. Ensure the subdomain’s DNS A record points to your server (see Chapter 4.5)
3. Infinity Tools will configure HTTPS automatically via Let’s Encrypt

After install: Your endpoint will be https://notify.yourdomain.com/notify

Step 2.3: If You Choose Standalone

1. Pick a port (suggested defaults appear on screen)
   • HTTPS (self‑signed): e.g., 8099 → https://SERVER_IP:8099/notify
   • HTTP: e.g., 8098 → http://SERVER_IP:8098/notify
2. Accept the browser warning if using self‑signed HTTPS

Where to Find the URL After Install

• On the finish screen, Infinity Tools prints the access URL
• You can also see it in 📊 STATUS & HEALTH → STATUS

What Happens

• Apprise container is created
• Optional domain + Traefik HTTPS routing
• Service is exposed for local HTTP API calls

Step 3: Configure a Notification

Set your first notification target (example: email). You can add more later.

Example: Email (SMTP)

Collect: SMTP host, username, password, from address.

• Provider URL example: mailtos://USERNAME:PASSWORD@SMTP_HOST:587/?from=from@yourdomain.com&to=you@example.com
• Store this URL safely; you’ll paste it where notifications are configured (e.g., Borgmatic)

Test a Notification

1. Find your Apprise endpoint (e.g., http://apprise:8000/notify or your domain)
2. Send a test:

   curl -X POST "http://apprise:8000/notify" \
     -d "title=Test" \
     -d "body=Hello from Apprise" \
     -d "url=YOUR_PROVIDER_URL"

3. Confirm you received the notification

Where It’s Used

• Borgmatic: Backup success/failure/security alerts
• Other tools: Can post to the same endpoint

Troubleshooting

• Check container logs: docker logs apprise
• Verify provider URL syntax (see official docs)
• Confirm network access to your SMTP/notification provider

You're Ready

Apprise is now running. Next, install Borgmatic (Chapter 6) so your backups can send notifications.