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.
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 »
Want a faster, more secure Raspberry Pi setup? In this step-by-step guide, we show you how to install Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS onto a USB stick using Raspberry Pi Imager — perfect for Pi clusters, homelabs, and Azure Arc projects.
How to Install Ubuntu Server on a Raspberry Pi (2026 Guide) Read More »
ReadTheManual is the homelab-to-enterprise translation layer for the Technical Climber. Lab to Leader, Ballet to Combat, real projects mapped to real career value. No gatekeeping, just the guides we wished existed when we were climbing.
Welcome to ReadTheManual: Day One of Something Big Read More »
