letsencrypt-auto is specifically there to setup and update the entire environment for letsencrypt to work. If you don't run it as root, you get prompted to elev

letsencrypt-auto is specifically there to setup and update the entire environment for letsencrypt to work. If you don't run it as root, you get prompted to elevate. If you're at all concerned about what setup its doing, the code is eminently readable and a few seconds of perusal would direct you to the bootstrapping scripts (https://github.com/letsencrypt/letsencrypt/tree/master/bootstrap https://github.com/letsencrypt/letsencrypt/tree/master/boots...) Running letsencrypt-auto is no different than running one of the curl | sh installers; they serve the same purpose. Getting you up and running under the assumption that you may be missing bits and pieces.