5 Apprise - Notifications (optional, but essential for backups with 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 

 

 Go to 📱 APPLICATIONS 

 Select Apprise 

 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 

 

 Enter your subdomain, e.g., notify.yourdomain.com 

 Ensure the subdomain’s DNS A record points to your server (see Chapter 4.5) 

 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 

 

 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 

 

 

 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 

 

 Find your Apprise endpoint (e.g., http://apprise:8000/notify or your domain) 

 Send a test:

 curl -X POST "http://apprise:8000/notify" \

 -d "title=Test" \

 -d "body=Hello from Apprise" \

 -d "url=YOUR_PROVIDER_URL" 

 

 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.