1 files changed, 130 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/docs/ACME.md b/docs/ACME.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e555c7c939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/ACME.md
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+# ACME
+
+Synapse v1.0 will require valid TLS certificates for communication between
+servers (port `8448` by default) in addition to those that are client-facing
+(port `443`). If you do not already have a valid certificate for your domain,
+the easiest way to get one is with Synapse's new ACME support, which will use
+the ACME protocol to provision a certificate automatically. Synapse v0.99.0+
+will provision server-to-server certificates automatically for you for free
+through [Let's Encrypt](https://letsencrypt.org/) if you tell it to.
+
+In the case that your `server_name` config variable is the same as
+the hostname that the client connects to, then the same certificate can be
+used between client and federation ports without issue. 
+
+For a sample configuration, please inspect the new ACME section in the example
+generated config by running the `generate-config` executable. For example:
+
+```
+~/synapse/env3/bin/generate-config
+```
+
+You will need to provide Let's Encrypt (or another ACME provider) access to
+your Synapse ACME challenge responder on port 80, at the domain of your
+homeserver. This requires you to either change the port of the ACME listener
+provided by Synapse to a high port and reverse proxy to it, or use a tool
+like `authbind` to allow Synapse to listen on port 80 without root access.
+(Do not run Synapse with root permissions!) Detailed instructions are
+available under "ACME setup" below.
+
+If you are already using self-signed certificates, you will need to back up
+or delete them (files `example.com.tls.crt` and `example.com.tls.key` in
+Synapse's root directory), Synapse's ACME implementation will not overwrite
+them.
+
+You may wish to use alternate methods such as Certbot to obtain a certificate
+from Let's Encrypt, depending on your server configuration. Of course, if you
+already have a valid certificate for your homeserver's domain, that can be
+placed in Synapse's config directory without the need for any ACME setup.
+
+## ACME setup
+
+The main steps for enabling ACME support in short summary are:
+
+1. Allow Synapse to listen for incoming ACME challenges.
+1. Enable ACME support in `homeserver.yaml`.
+1. Move your old certificates (files `example.com.tls.crt` and `example.com.tls.key` out of the way if they currently exist at the paths specified in `homeserver.yaml`.
+1. Restart Synapse.
+
+Detailed instructions for each step are provided below.
+
+### Listening on port 80
+
+In order for Synapse to complete the ACME challenge to provision a
+certificate, it needs access to port 80. Typically listening on port 80 is
+only granted to applications running as root. There are thus two solutions to
+this problem.
+
+#### Using a reverse proxy
+
+A reverse proxy such as Apache or nginx allows a single process (the web
+server) to listen on port 80 and proxy traffic to the appropriate program
+running on your server. It is the recommended method for setting up ACME as
+it allows you to use your existing webserver while also allowing Synapse to
+provision certificates as needed.
+
+For nginx users, add the following line to your existing `server` block:
+
+```
+location /.well-known/acme-challenge {
+    proxy_pass http://localhost:8009/;
+}
+```
+
+For Apache, add the following to your existing webserver config:
+
+```
+ProxyPass /.well-known/acme-challenge http://localhost:8009/.well-known/acme-challenge
+```
+
+Make sure to restart/reload your webserver after making changes.
+
+Now make the relevant changes in `homeserver.yaml` to enable ACME support:
+
+```
+acme:
+    enabled: true
+    port: 8009
+```
+
+
+#### Authbind
+
+`authbind` allows a program which does not run as root to bind to
+low-numbered ports in a controlled way. The setup is simpler, but requires a
+webserver not to already be running on port 80. **This includes every time
+Synapse renews a certificate**, which may be cumbersome if you usually run a
+web server on port 80. Nevertheless, if you're sure port 80 is not being used
+for any other purpose then all that is necessary is the following:
+
+Install `authbind`. For example, on Debian/Ubuntu:
+
+```
+sudo apt-get install authbind
+```
+
+Allow `authbind` to bind port 80:
+
+```
+sudo touch /etc/authbind/byport/80
+sudo chmod 777 /etc/authbind/byport/80
+```
+
+When Synapse is started, use the following syntax:
+
+```
+authbind --deep <synapse start command>
+```
+
+Make the relevant changes in `homeserver.yaml` to enable ACME support:
+
+```
+acme:
+    enabled: true
+```
+
+### (Re)starting synapse
+
+Ensure that the certificate paths specified in `homeserver.yaml` (`tls_certificate_path` and `tls_private_key_path`) do not currently point to any files. Synapse will not provision certificates if files exist, as it does not want to overwrite existing certificates.
+
+Finally, start/restart Synapse.
\ No newline at end of file