README.md

Rancher Bootstrap Scripts (Templated)

This project automates the setup of Rancher using K3s, Cert-Manager, and Let's Encrypt with Cloudflare DNS.

🧩 Files & Templates

• config.env.example – Copy this to config.env and edit for your domain
• 1-install-k3s.sh – Installs K3s (no Traefik) and sets up kubeconfig for user 'erin'
• 2-install-cert-manager.sh – Installs cert-manager v1.17.1
• 3-install-rancher.sh – Installs Rancher via Helm using the hostname from config
• clusterissuer.yaml.template – Cert-Manager issuer using Cloudflare DNS challenge
• rancher-cert.yaml.template – TLS cert for Rancher ingress
• bootstrap.sh – Optional script to render YAMLs and apply everything

🚀 Quick Start

1. Copy and edit your configuration:

   cp config.env.example config.env
   nano config.env

2. Run scripts in order:

   chmod +x *.sh
   ./1-install-k3s.sh
   ./2-install-cert-manager.sh
   ./bootstrap.sh
   ./3-install-rancher.sh

🔧 Hardcoding Instead?

If you prefer not to use templates, just replace values like domain and email directly inside:

• clusterissuer.yaml
• rancher-cert.yaml
• Helm commands in 3-install-rancher.sh

Then skip the .env and envsubst steps entirely.

📎 Requirements

• Cloudflare API token with DNS edit permissions
• DNS A record pointing your domain (e.g. rancher.example.com) to the node IP