Getting started

What Linx is, what you need, and the quickest path to a working phone system.

Linx is a phone system you run on your own server. It gives everyone in a home or small office an extension, voicemail, presence and a phone in the web browser — with no monthly subscription and no third party holding your calls.

The short path

  1. Get a Linux server — a rented VPS or a machine at home or the office.
  2. Install Linx with one command (see Installing Linx).
  3. Open the single link it prints and finish setup in your browser.
  4. Add people and their extensions, connect a phone line if you want outside calls, and make calls from the web app or a desk phone.

What Linx includes

  • Extensions and ring groups — ring one person or a whole team, with office hours and call routing.
  • Voicemail and call history — shared history, and a message-waiting light on desk phones.
  • Video meetings (coming soon) — meetings with a guest link anyone can join from a browser. One-to-one video calls between the iPhone and iPad apps work today.
  • Presence — see who is available, on a call, away or on do-not-disturb.
  • Apps — a web client in any modern browser. The native iPhone and iPad app, which rings even when asleep, is coming soon to the App Store.

What you’ll need

  • A domain you own (like example.com) and access to its DNS settings.
  • A phone for a passkey or an authenticator app, to sign in securely.
  • About ten minutes, plus any time your DNS company needs to publish records.

Linx can’t guarantee emergency calling, and VoIP is regulated in some countries. Check your local rules before connecting external phone lines.

Next: Installing Linx.