Installation

Installing Work Focal

Connected and offline deployment Linux server installation

Work Focal can be installed directly on a supported Linux server using the network installer or deployed from a signed offline release bundle. Both paths use the same host validation, configuration, database initialization, release-integrity checks, and service setup.

The installer examines the host before making changes. A new system is offered an installation path; an existing Work Focal system is identified before the administrator chooses whether to upgrade, repair, or reconfigure it.

Connected installerget.workfocal.com
Offline installationSupported
UpgradesAdministrator initiated
DatabasePostgreSQL

Run the installer as root or through sudo on a supported Linux server:

Shell
curl -fsSLo /tmp/workfocal-install https://get.workfocal.com
sudo sh /tmp/workfocal-install

The installer is downloaded before execution so the administrator can retain, inspect, or archive the bootstrap file if required by local policy.

No silent upgrade behavior. Detecting an existing Work Focal installation does not automatically replace it. The current state and available action are reported before an installation-changing operation proceeds.
  • Platform Operating system, major release, processor architecture, and whether the host is part of the verified Work Focal support matrix.
  • Existing installation Installed Work Focal version, service state, configuration paths, and whether the requested operation is a new install, upgrade, repair, or reconfiguration.
  • Release integrity Downloaded release metadata, cryptographic signatures, and integrity hashes are verified before the application payload is installed.
  • PostgreSQL Database availability and major-version compatibility are checked before schema initialization or upgrade work begins.
  • Filesystem & service state Required paths, permissions, service-account configuration, executable placement, and service-manager integration are validated.
  • Post-install health After installation or upgrade, the Work Focal service is started or restarted and checked before the operation is reported as complete.
  • Install Initialize a new Work Focal deployment on a supported host.
  • Upgrade Validate the installed release and compatibility requirements before moving to a newer Work Focal version.
  • Repair Re-establish expected binaries, service definitions, permissions, or other managed installation components without treating the host as a new deployment.
  • Reconfigure Return to installation-managed configuration tasks without reinstalling the complete application.

Work Focal requires a supported PostgreSQL major release. The installer can use an existing PostgreSQL service or prepare a local PostgreSQL installation where the selected operating system and installation policy permit it.

Local PostgreSQL

Suitable for straightforward single-server deployments where the database is intended to reside with the Work Focal application.

Existing PostgreSQL

Connect Work Focal to a separately managed PostgreSQL system for clustered, high-availability, managed-database, or organization-specific deployment designs.

Database initialization and schema changes are performed only after the installer confirms that the selected PostgreSQL major release is supported by the installed Work Focal version.

An offline release bundle contains the Work Focal installer, the platform-specific application payload, release metadata, integrity information, and the material needed to validate the release locally. The bundle can be transferred into the restricted environment using the organization's approved process.

A Prepare release media Download the appropriate signed offline bundle from an authorized Work Focal account on a connected system.
B Transfer internally Move the bundle and offline entitlement into the isolated environment using the organization's approved removable-media, transfer-gateway, or internal repository process.
C Install without Internet access Run the local installer in offline mode. Release verification, license verification, and installation checks are performed without contacting Work Focal services.
D Renew or upgrade by import Future releases or renewed offline entitlements can be transferred into the environment and applied locally without enabling outbound Internet access on the Work Focal host.
Offline bundle
sudo ./workfocal-install --offline

Offline licensing

Offline deployments use a cryptographically signed entitlement file that Work Focal can verify locally. Normal application operation does not require a periodic connection to a Work Focal licensing service.

When an offline entitlement is renewed or its licensed capabilities change, an administrator imports a replacement signed entitlement into the isolated environment. This keeps licensing compatible with systems that are intentionally prevented from reaching the public Internet.

Application upgrades are administrator initiated by default. The installer checks the existing system, target version, database compatibility, release integrity, and service state before applying an upgrade.

Administrator-initiated upgrade
sudo workfocal-install upgrade
Non-interactive and policy-driven update workflows can be supported for organizations that deliberately enable them. Automatic replacement of a production Work Focal release is not required in order to receive update notifications or determine that a newer release is available.
Automation

Interactive by default, automatable when required

The normal installation path is intended for an administrator actively performing the deployment. The same installer can also expose explicit non-interactive operations for configuration-management and infrastructure-automation systems without changing the behavior of the interactive installation.

This allows organizations to automate approved installations and upgrades while keeping unattended software changes opt-in rather than making them a condition of using Work Focal.