Getting Started with Twenty CRM: Installation and Usage Guide for Open-Source Enthusiasts

In today’s digital landscape, customer relationship management (CRM) systems have become essential for businesses of all sizes. However, the high costs and vendor lock-in associated with proprietary CRMs like Salesforce often leave teams searching for alternatives. Enter Twenty CRM—a powerful, community-driven, open-source CRM platform that’s revolutionizing how businesses manage customer relationships.

Twenty CRM is built for modern teams that value flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and control over their data. With over 36,000 GitHub stars and a thriving community of 500+ contributors, Twenty CRM has emerged as the go-to choice for developers, startups, and tech-savvy entrepreneurs who want a customizable, self-hosted CRM solution without the vendor lock-in nightmare.

Whether you’re looking to replace your existing CRM, explore open-source alternatives, or deploy a personalized CRM for your team, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything—from installation to real-world usage. By the end of this post, you’ll have a fully functional Twenty CRM instance running on your local machine or server, ready to transform how your team manages customer relationships.

What is Twenty CRM? Understanding the Open-Source Alternative

Why Choose Twenty CRM?

Twenty CRM is the leading open-source customer relationship management platform, crafted by hundreds of community contributors to solve a critical problem: traditional CRMs are either too expensive or too rigid. Developed by the team at Twentyhq, this modern CRM platform provides businesses with a vendor-neutral, customizable, and cost-effective solution for managing customer interactions.

The philosophy behind Twenty CRM is simple yet powerful: you shouldn’t be trapped by your CRM. Unlike proprietary solutions that lock companies into long-term contracts and inflate pricing, Twenty CRM offers complete transparency, full control of your data, and the flexibility to customize every aspect to match your unique business needs.

Core Benefits of Twenty CRM

1. Fully Open-Source and Community-Driven

Twenty CRM is built on transparency and community collaboration. With over 500 active contributors on GitHub, the platform continuously evolves based on real-world needs. You have access to the source code, can audit for security, and can even contribute improvements back to the community.

2. Cost-Effective Solution

Eliminate expensive licensing fees and monthly subscriptions. Self-host Twenty CRM on your own infrastructure, or use the managed cloud option. There’s no vendor lock-in—you own your data and your solution.

3. Highly Customizable Platform

Create custom objects and fields tailored to your business workflow. Design your own data structure, build custom workflows, and extend functionality through APIs and webhooks. Your CRM should adapt to your process, not the other way around.

4. Modern, Intuitive User Interface

Inspired by tools like Notion and Airtable, Twenty CRM features a sleek, user-friendly interface that requires minimal training. Your team will be productive from day one.

5. Real-Time Collaboration

Built for remote and distributed teams, Twenty CRM enables real-time collaboration, ensuring your entire team stays synchronized regardless of location.

Key Features of Twenty CRM

Twenty CRM comes packed with powerful features designed for modern sales and customer management:

Contact Management: Efficiently store and organize customer data with custom fields tailored to your needs
Deal Tracking: Manage sales opportunities through customizable pipeline stages with Kanban views
Custom Objects: Create and manage any business object beyond standard contacts and deals
Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks with powerful triggers and actions, streamlining your processes
Email Integration: Synchronize emails and calendar events directly within the CRM
Task and Note Management: Schedule tasks and create detailed notes for comprehensive customer interaction tracking
Flexible Views: Switch between table, Kanban, and other views to visualize data the way you prefer
User Permissions: Control access with custom roles and object-level permissions
API & Webhooks: Connect to external tools and build custom integrations seamlessly
Multi-Language Support: Collaborate globally with support for multiple languages through community translations

System Requirements: What You Need Before Installing Twenty CRM

Before diving into the installation process, ensure your system meets these minimum requirements:

Hardware Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores	4 cores
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Storage	10 GB	50 GB SSD
Network	Stable internet connection	Gigabit internet

Software Requirements

For Docker Installation (Recommended):

Docker: Version 20.10 or later
Docker Compose: Version 1.29 or later
Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+), macOS, or Windows with WSL2
PostgreSQL: Version 12+ (included in Docker Compose)
Redis: For caching (included in Docker Compose)

For Local Development Setup:

Node.js: Version 18.x or later
npm: Version 9.x or later
Git: For cloning the repository
PostgreSQL: Version 12 or later (local installation)
Redis: For session management and caching

Choosing Your Installation Method

Twenty CRM offers multiple deployment options:

Docker Compose (Recommended): Fastest and easiest setup; includes all dependencies
Local Development Setup: Best for developers wanting to contribute or customize
Cloud Hosting: Deploy on Heroku, DigitalOcean, AWS, or other platforms

For this guide, we’ll focus on Docker Compose installation (easiest) and local development setup (for developers).

Step-by-Step Installation Guide: Getting Twenty CRM Running

Option 1: Docker Compose Installation (Recommended for Most Users)

The Docker Compose method is the fastest way to get Twenty CRM running. All services are containerized, eliminating compatibility issues.

Step 1: Install Docker and Docker Compose

First, ensure Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your system.

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

After installation, verify Docker is working:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

On macOS:

Download and install Docker Desktop from the official Docker website. It includes both Docker and Docker Compose.

On Windows:

Install Docker Desktop with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) support for optimal performance.

Step 2: Download the Docker Compose Configuration

Create a working directory for Twenty CRM and download the necessary files:

mkdir -p ~/twenty-crm
cd ~/twenty-crm

Download the Docker Compose file and environment configuration:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/twentyhq/twenty/main/packages/twenty-docker/docker-compose.yml
curl -o .env https://raw.githubusercontent.com/twentyhq/twenty/main/packages/twenty-docker/.env.example

Step 3: Configure Environment Variables

Open the .env file and review the configuration:

nano .env

Key environment variables to verify:

# Database Configuration
DATABASE_URL=postgres://postgres:postgres@postgres:5432/twenty

# Redis Configuration
REDIS_URL=redis://redis:6379

# Server Port
PORT=3000

# Node Environment
NODE_ENV=development

For production deployments, update these values according to your security requirements.

Step 4: Start the Containers

Allocate sufficient memory to Docker (at least 8GB recommended). Then start the services:

docker-compose up -d

This command downloads and starts the following containers:

PostgreSQL: Database server for storing CRM data
Redis: Caching and session management
Twenty CRM Backend: NestJS API server
Twenty CRM Frontend: React-based web interface

Verify containers are running:

docker-compose ps

You should see all services with status “Up”.

Step 5: Access Twenty CRM

Once containers are running, access Twenty CRM in your web browser:

http://localhost:3000

First-Time Setup:

On first access, you’ll be guided through the initial setup wizard:

Create an admin account with email and password
Set your workspace name
Customize your CRM configuration
Add your first team members (optional)

Congratulations! Your Twenty CRM instance is now running.

Option 2: Local Development Setup (For Developers)

If you want to contribute to Twenty CRM or customize it extensively, set up a local development environment.

Step 1: Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/twentyhq/twenty.git
cd twenty

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Twenty CRM uses Nx as a monorepo manager. Install all dependencies:

npm install
# or
yarn install

Step 3: Set Up the Database

Create a PostgreSQL database for development:

createdb twenty_development

Step 4: Configure Environment Variables

Copy the example environment file and update it:

cp packages/twenty-server/.env.example packages/twenty-server/.env

Update database connection details:

DATABASE_URL=postgres://your_user:your_password@localhost:5432/twenty_development

Step 5: Run Database Migrations

npm run database:migrate

Step 6: Start the Development Server

In separate terminal windows, run:

Terminal 1: Start the backend

npm run start:server

Terminal 2: Start the frontend

npm run start:web

The application will be available at http://localhost:3000.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Problem: Port 3000 is already in use

Solution: Change the port in your .env file or stop the conflicting service:

docker-compose down
# Edit PORT in .env, then:
docker-compose up -d

Problem: Docker containers exit immediately

Solution: Check logs for errors:

docker-compose logs -f

Problem: Database connection errors

Solution: Verify PostgreSQL is running and accessible:

docker-compose ps
docker-compose logs postgres

Problem: Insufficient memory for containers

Solution: Allocate more memory to Docker or reduce container resource allocation.

Using Twenty CRM: A Practical Walkthrough

Getting Started: The Dashboard

After logging in, you’ll see the Twenty CRM dashboard—your command center for managing customer relationships. The dashboard displays quick-access widgets and recent activity.

Core Functionalities Explained

1. Contact Management: Building Your Customer Database

Adding Contacts:

Navigate to the Contacts section
Click Add Contact or Import Contacts
Fill in essential information:
- First Name & Last Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Company (links to company object)
- Custom Fields (industry, lead score, preferred contact method, etc.)
Click Save

Organizing Contacts:

Use Filters: Filter by company, creation date, or custom fields to find specific contacts quickly
Sort Data: Organize by name, date added, or custom fields
Group By: Group contacts by company, status, or industry for better insights
Add Notes: Click any contact to view their profile and add interaction notes

2. Deal Tracking: Managing Your Sales Pipeline

Creating a Deal:

Go to Deals section
Click New Deal
Configure your deal:
- Deal Name: Clear, descriptive title
- Associated Contact: Link to the relevant contact
- Pipeline Stage: Select from Prospecting, Qualified, Proposal, Negotiation, Closed Won, or Closed Lost
- Amount: Deal value
- Expected Close Date: Target completion date
Save the deal

Visualizing Your Sales Pipeline:

Use the Kanban View to see deals organized by stage. Drag deals between columns to update their status. The Table View provides a detailed spreadsheet-like interface with sorting and filtering options.

3. Workflow Automation: Reducing Manual Work

Creating Automated Workflows:

Navigate to Workflows
Click New Workflow
Define your automation:
- Trigger: Choose what initiates the workflow (e.g., “when a new deal is created”)
- Conditions: Set criteria (e.g., “deal amount > $10,000”)
- Actions: Specify what happens (e.g., “send email notification,” “create task,” “update field”)
Activate the workflow

Example Automation Scenarios:

Send a welcome email when a new contact is added
Create a follow-up task when a deal reaches a specific stage
Notify team members when a high-value deal is created
Automatically update company information from external data sources

4. Email Integration: Keep Conversations in One Place

Synchronizing Your Email:

Click your profile icon
Navigate to Email Connections
Select your email provider (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
Authenticate and grant permissions

Once connected, emails with your contacts automatically appear in their profiles, providing complete interaction history.

5. Tasks and Notes: Staying Organized

Creating Tasks:

Within any contact or deal, click Add Task
Set:
- Task title and description
- Assignment (assign to yourself or team member)
- Due date and reminder

Adding Notes:

Click Add Note within a contact or deal profile
Write detailed notes about interactions, agreements, or follow-ups
Notes create an audit trail of all customer interactions

Best Practices for Maximizing Twenty CRM

1. Establish a Data Entry Standard

Create a data entry checklist for your team to ensure consistency:

Require complete contact information before adding to CRM
Use standardized naming conventions (e.g., “John Smith” not “john s.”)
Populate custom fields consistently
Document your data structure

2. Regularly Clean Your Data

Schedule monthly data cleanup reviews
Remove duplicate entries
Update outdated information
Archive inactive contacts/deals

3. Customize Objects and Fields to Your Workflow

Don’t force your process into a generic CRM structure. Instead:

Create custom objects for entities specific to your business
Add custom fields that capture important metrics
Design views and filters for your team’s workflow
Document your data model for new team members

4. Leverage Workflows for Efficiency

Automate repetitive tasks like email follow-ups
Create workflows for your standard sales process
Use triggers and actions to connect with external tools
Regularly review and refine automation rules

5. Ensure Team Adoption

Provide adequate training on CRM workflows
Start with core features, gradually introduce advanced functionality
Gather feedback and iterate
Lead by example—use the CRM yourself

6. Integrate with Your Existing Tools

Twenty CRM’s API and Webhooks enable integration with:

Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams
Email & Calendar: Gmail, Outlook
Automation Platforms: Zapier, n8n
Accounting Software: Custom integrations via API
Marketing Platforms: Email marketing services

Advanced Features: Unlocking Twenty CRM’s Full Potential

Custom Objects: Beyond Contacts and Deals

Twenty CRM’s power lies in its extensibility. Create custom objects for your unique business needs:

For Agencies: Project objects, client campaigns, deliverables
For Consulting Firms: Engagement objects, proposal tracking, resource allocation
For E-Commerce: Vendor management, product catalog, order tracking

Creating a Custom Object:

Go to Settings → Objects
Click Create Object
Define object properties (name, icon, singular/plural forms)
Add custom fields specific to your object
Configure permissions and visibility

Permissions and Role-Based Access

Control who sees what with granular permission settings:

Workspace-Level Permissions: Determine who can access the entire workspace
Object-Level Permissions: Control access to specific object types
Custom Roles: Create roles with specific permission combinations

This ensures data security while enabling collaboration.

API and Webhooks for Seamless Integration

For advanced users, Twenty CRM provides a GraphQL API for custom integrations:

# Example: Retrieve all contacts via API
curl -X POST https://your-twenty-instance/graphql \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "{ people { edges { node { id firstName lastName email } } } }"
  }'

Use webhooks to trigger external actions when CRM events occur, enabling sophisticated automation workflows.

Integrating Twenty CRM with Your Existing Ecosystem

Popular Integration Scenarios

Scenario 1: Email Automation with Zapier

Connect Twenty CRM to Zapier to:

Create a new contact in Twenty CRM when a new subscriber signs up
Send Slack notifications when a high-value deal is created
Update spreadsheets with CRM data automatically

Scenario 2: Team Communication with Slack

Receive deal notifications in Slack
Log Slack messages as notes in customer profiles
Create contacts from Slack user mentions

Scenario 3: Marketing Automation

Connect with Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar platforms to:

Sync contacts between platforms
Track email campaign opens and clicks in CRM
Segment audiences based on CRM data

Conclusion: Transform Your Customer Relationships

Twenty CRM represents a paradigm shift in how businesses approach customer relationship management. By combining the power of open-source flexibility with modern UX design, Twenty CRM delivers a compelling alternative to expensive, rigid proprietary solutions.

Whether you’re a developer exploring open-source alternatives, a startup bootstrapping your infrastructure, or an enterprise seeking vendor independence, Twenty CRM provides the tools, flexibility, and community support you need.

Your Next Steps

Install Twenty CRM using the Docker Compose method outlined in this guide
Explore the features by creating sample contacts and deals
Customize the platform to match your business workflow
Integrate with tools your team already uses
Join the community and contribute back improvements

Additional Resources

Official Documentation: docs.twenty.com
GitHub Repository: github.com/twentyhq/twenty
Discord Community: Join thousands of users and contributors
YouTube Tutorials: Step-by-step video guides for common tasks
Self-Hosting Guide: Complete deployment documentation for various platforms

Pro Tips for Maximum Success

Tip 1: Implement Gradually

Don’t try to replicate your entire sales process on day one. Start with core features (contacts, deals, basic workflows), then gradually expand as your team becomes comfortable.

Tip 2: Document Your Setup

Create internal documentation about:

Custom objects and field definitions
Standard workflow processes
Data entry guidelines
Integration setup procedures

This documentation accelerates onboarding for new team members.

Tip 3: Monitor Performance

Regularly review:

Data quality metrics
Workflow effectiveness
Team adoption rates
System performance and resource usage

Tip 4: Stay Updated

Follow Twenty CRM releases and updates:

Star the repository on GitHub for notifications
Join the Discord community for discussions
Subscribe to the newsletter for feature announcements