Computer-implemented methods, configurations, computer program products and systems configure and deploy portable application containers (PACs) in a shared server environment. A method involves receiving metadata describing an application and receiving an instruction on what metadata to use in configuring the application where the application is associated with a PAC. The method also involves transforming the metadata into a list of commands in response to receiving the instruction and deploying the list of commands to a group of servers wherein the commands are operative to create the PAC. The PAC is a logical construct of the application configured to be logically separate from and to execute via any server in the group of servers. Each server in the group of servers can be used by multiple PACs to enable improved utilization of server capacity.