3x-ui Installation Tutorial and Node Management User Guide

1. Abstract

In an international networking context, setting up a stable proxy service is a challenge many users face. Today, we are introducing how to easily build and manage Xray nodes using 3x-ui. This tool is specifically designed for users who want to simplify operations and increase efficiency. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, following these steps will make the process simple and straightforward.

2. Installing the 3x-ui Panel

3x-ui is a highly practical panel tool that helps us manage Xray nodes quickly. To begin, we need to install it. Below are several installation methods suited for different network environments.

2.1 Using the Default Installation Command

For overseas servers, you can install 3x-ui directly by executing the following command:

bash <(curl -Ls https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhsanaei/3x-ui/master/install.sh)

This command will automatically download the installation script and begin the setup process. If you are located in Mainland China or experiencing slow connection speeds, you can use the following command to accelerate the installation:

bash <(curl -Ls https://gh-proxy.com/https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhsanaei/3x-ui/master/install.sh)

2.2 Accessing the Panel Management

In your SSH session, enter the following command to launch the 3x-ui management menu:

x-ui

If the command is successful, you will see a menu interface similar to this:

[root@hcss-ecs-9fd1 local]<em># x-ui</em>
The OS release is: centos

  3X-UI Panel Management Script
  0. Exit Script
————————————————
  1. Install
  2. Update
  3. Update Menu
  4. Custom Version
  5. Uninstall
————————————————
  6. Reset Username & Password & Secret Token
  7. Reset Web Base Path
  8. Reset Settings
  9. Change Port
  10. View Current Settings
————————————————
  11. Start
  12. Stop
  13. Restart
  14. Check Status
  15. Logs Management
————————————————
  16. Enable Autostart
  17. Disable Autostart
————————————————
  18. SSL Certificate Management
  19. Cloudflare SSL Certificate
  20. IP Limit Management
  21. Firewall Management
————————————————
  22. Enable BBR 
  23. Update Geo Files
  24. Speedtest by Ookla

Panel state: Running
Start automatically: Yes
xray state: Running

Please enter your selection [0-24]: 9

Enter port number[1-65535]: 19528        
Port set successfully: 19528
The port is set, Please restart the panel now, and use the new port 19528 to access web panel

Restart the panel, Attention: Restarting the panel will also restart xray [Default y]: y
[INF] x-ui and xray Restarted successfully 

Press enter to return to the main menu: 

You can perform various operations based on the menu options. For example:

• Change Port Number: Enter 9, then set a new port (1–65535).

• Reset Username/Password: Enter 6 to reconfigure your login credentials. Once finished, simply press Enter to save your configuration.

4. Configuring Xray Nodes

With the 3x-ui panel installed, managing Xray nodes becomes effortless. Here is how to configure and add a new node.

3.1 Building a Node Using the Reality Protocol

Among all proxy protocols, I highly recommend the Reality protocol. It is not only secure but also eliminates the need to purchase a domain name or apply for SSL certificates.

1. After entering the panel, click on Inbounds and then click Add Inbound.

2. In the settings page, configure the following options:

   • Remark: The name of the node (you can name it anything).

   • Protocol: Select vless.

   • Port: Usually 443, but you can set it to any other port.

   • Transmission: Select tcp.

   • Security: Select reality.

3. Next, click the Get New Cert button; the system will automatically generate a Public/Private key pair.

4. Once finished, click Add in the bottom right corner. Your node is now live!

3.2 Viewing and Exporting Nodes

In the Inbounds list, you will see the node you just created. The type will be displayed as vless tcp Reality. Click the three dots (icon) next to the node, select QR Code or Copy Link. You can now use this link in your client software.

5. Client Configuration

Once the node is configured, you can use it on various platforms. Here are the recommended clients for each:

5.1 Windows

• v2rayN: The top choice for Windows users. It supports multiple protocols and is easy to use.

• [v2rayN Download Link]

5.2 macOS

• v2rayU: Choose the version that matches your hardware (Intel or Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3).

• [v2rayU Download Link]

5.3 Android

• v2rayNG: A robust Android client that supports a wide range of protocols.

• [v2rayNG Download Link]

5.4 iOS

• Shadowrocket: One of the best clients for iOS. Note that you will need a non-Mainland China Apple ID (such as a US region ID) to download it.

• [Shadowrocket Download Link]

v2ray Usage Tutorial

Log in to the dashboard and click on "Inbounds" to create a new node. You can choose protocols such as vless + reality or vmess.

Open the v2ray client and click "Import bulk URL from clipboard" (or "Import Config from Clipboard") to add your node.。

Click to select "Set as automated system proxy" (or "System Proxy: Set System Proxy") to route your device's traffic through the node.

6. Uninstalling 3x-ui

If you decide to stop using the 3x-ui panel, follow these steps to completely remove it from your system:

1. Stop and Disable the Service:

Bash

systemctl stop x-ui 2>/dev/null
systemctl disable x-ui 2>/dev/null

2. Remove the systemd Unit:

Bash

rm -f /etc/systemd/system/x-ui.service
systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl reset-failed

3. Delete Core Directories and Configuration Files:

Bash

rm -rf /etc/x-ui /usr/local/x-ui /usr/local/etc/x-ui

4. Remove Executables and Symlinks:

Bash

rm -f /usr/bin/x-ui /usr/local/bin/x-ui

5. Clean Up Logs:

Bash

rm -rf /var/log/x-ui

6. Delete User (If a dedicated user was created during installation):

Bash

userdel -r x-ui 2>/dev/null

7. Verify Cleanup (Check for remaining processes or listening ports):

Bash

pkill -f x-ui
ss -ltnp | grep -E '54321|xray'

By following these steps, 3x-ui will be completely purged from your server.

7. Conclusion

This tutorial was designed to help you quickly set up Xray nodes and manage them effectively using the 3x-ui panel. The process is streamlined to be user-friendly for both beginners and advanced users. I hope this guide was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.