cd /news/ai-agents/self-host-a-tui-and-agent-skill-for-… · home › topics › ai-agents › article
[ARTICLE · art-162486] src=linuxcommunity.io ↗ pub= topic=ai-agents verified=true sentiment=· neutral

self-host: a TUI and agent skill for trying self-hosted apps

Developer ajnart released self-host, an Apache-2.0 Go CLI with a terminal interface that uses Docker Compose to install and run self-hosted apps, alongside an optional agent skill for coding assistants. The tool's catalog covers 90+ apps, including Immich as a Google Photos alternative and Nextcloud for files, and the agent guide requires a plan and approval before changes, with loading the skill not counting as approval. The standalone release binaries are unsigned but ship with checksums, and the author notes known gaps in the media hardlink layout and in routing downloads through Gluetun, where installing the VPN alone does not mean another app uses it.

read2 min views1 publishedNov 2, 2026
self-host: a TUI and agent skill for trying self-hosted apps
Image: Linuxcommunity (auto-discovered)

I built self-host.fyi to help people move to self-hosted apps. It’s a downloadable Go CLI with a terminal interface, using Docker Compose underneath. There’s also an optional agent skill if you’d rather ask your coding agent for help than learn another interface.

For example, a suitable old laptop could become a place to try Immich as an alternative to Google Photos, or Nextcloud for your files. The idea is to try the software before deciding whether to continue paying a subscription for data you own. Hardware, storage, backups and ongoing maintenance still matter. The part I wanted to make reusable is what happens after containers start: initial accounts, generated passwords, API keys and supported connections between Apps. Some steps still need a person. The agent guide asks for a plan and approval before changes; the skill is not approval.

I originally needed this for testing Homarr integrations, then adapted it because I thought it could help other people explore self-hosting. There are 90+ Apps in the Catalog. You can use the CLI/TUI without an agent.

To try it, review the source and installation instructions in the repository, install the CLI on a machine with Docker and Compose, then use the TUI or load the skill. An example request is: “Help me set up Immich on this machine so I can try hosting my own photos.” This starts a guided task, not a guarantee of a complete setup without your input.

Source and license: GitHub - ajnart/self-host: Replace the SaaS you pay for. One binary installs and runs self-hosted apps at home, no Docker knowledge needed. Terminal dashboard for you, plain commands for your agent. · GitHub (Apache-2.0)

Overview and demo: https://self-host.fyi The standalone release binaries are unsigned. Releases provide checksums, and the source is available to review or build yourself. This is my project, not a community endorsement.

AI helped develop the project and organize this post from my own explanation. The images below show the terminal interface and Setup in progress, not proof of a finished installation. In particular, the media hardlink layout and down routing through Gluetun have known gaps; installing Gluetun alone does not mean another App uses its VPN.

── more in #ai-agents 4 stories · sorted by recency
── more on @self-host 3 stories trending now
sponsored brought to you by zahid.host 4,200+ EU-deployed projects
reading about agents? ship yours in a single git push.

Run your AI side-project on zahid.host

EU-based hosting, git-push deploys, automatic HTTPS, no cold starts. Free tier with a custom domain — perfect for shipping the agent you just read about.

$git push zahid main
→ Live at https://your-agent.zahid.host ✓
Get free account → Pricing
from €0/mo · no card required
LIVE [news/self-host-a-tui-and-…] indexed:0 read:2min 2026-11-02 · —