Guides for running your own services instead of renting them from hyperscalers. Covers Nextcloud for file sync, Jellyfin for media, Vaultwarden for passwords, Gitea for version control, and dozens of other open source platforms that replace the subscription stack most people default to. Every guide includes the Docker Compose file, the reverse proxy config, the backup approach, and the failure modes we have hit in production. Self-hosting is not about paranoia. It is about owning the infrastructure your life runs on, understanding how it works, and keeping your data under your own roof. If you want sovereignty over your digital life, this is the practical path.
The docker-compose.yml used in this guide (copy-paste ready). Why You Should Own Your Files I have been running Nextcloud in my homelab for over three years now. It replaced Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud across every device in my household. The honest version of that story is that it took me two attempts to get […]
How to Install Nextcloud with Docker (Self-Hosted Cloud Storage) Read More »
How to Install Vaultwarden with Docker (Self-Hosted Bitwarden Alternative) In December 2022, LastPass disclosed that attackers had stolen encrypted password vaults for millions of users. Not metadata. Not email addresses. The actual vaults. The ones containing every password, every note, every saved card. LastPass assured everyone that vaults were safe as long as users had
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How to Install Uptime Kuma to Monitor Your Homelab (2026 Guide) I monitor 30+ services across my homelab with Uptime Kuma. It has saved me from silent failures more times than I can count, and it takes about five minutes to deploy. Here is how to set it up properly. From the homelab: Uptime Kuma
How to Install Uptime Kuma to Monitor Your Homelab (2026 Guide) Read More »
Not on Ubuntu 24.04? If you are running Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, the steps are similar but package versions differ. See our Install Docker on Debian 12 and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS guide. The docker-compose.yml used in this guide (copy-paste ready). Why Ubuntu 24.04 Is the Docker Host You Want I run Docker across
How to Install Docker on Ubuntu 24.04: Full Setup + Post-Install (2026) Read More »
K3s: Real Kubernetes on a Raspberry Pi Let me be honest upfront: running Kubernetes on a single Raspberry Pi is over-engineered. For running a few containers, Docker Compose is simpler, lighter, and more appropriate. If your goal is purely practical — get services running with minimum fuss — you don’t need Kubernetes. That’s not the
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And Why You Should Try It in Your Homelab with Twingate 👋 The Old Way: VPNs and Big Doors For years, remote access meant one thing: a VPN. You logged in once, and suddenly your laptop could see everything on the network. That worked fine when: • Everyone sat in the same office. • The
What Is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)? Homelab Guide Read More »
Still port forwarding in 2025? Stop. This guide walks you through real-world security for your Raspberry Pi or homelab — Zero Trust, backups, and monitoring included.
Homelab Network Security: 7 Zero-Trust Steps Before Anything Goes Public (2026) Read More »
This isn’t just a hobby. This is how you build the skills to run production-grade infrastructure — from your garage, spare room, or Raspberry Pi. From the homelab: I run over 30 self-hosted services across my homelab. These are the ones I consider essential — the services that would be the first I redeploy if
Homelab Essential Services (2026): Build Your Full Stack Read More »
Raspberry Pi or mini PC for a homelab? It is a question I get asked weekly, and the answer is more “both, for different things” than people expect. I have run both for years. The Pi handles lightweight services where low power and a small footprint matter. The mini PC runs everything else: virtualisation, databases,
Raspberry Pi vs Mini PC for Homelab (Power Draw + Real Use) Read More »
If you’re getting started with a homelab, you’re likely asking yourself: should I buy new hardware, build a setup from used gear, or rent cloud servers like Linode or DigitalOcean? This guide will help you compare all three paths so you can choose the best fit for your learning goals, budget, and career growth. Homelabs
Getting Started with a Homelab: Buy, Build, or Rent? Read More »
