# Show HN: NjordDeploy – Agentless self-hosting engine with Docker and Podman

> Source: <https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy>
> Published: 2026-10-15 10:37:58+00:00

**Sovereign Self-Hosting Engine & AI Component Studio**

    Deploy 126+ verified, privacy-first applications to any Raspberry Pi, Proxmox VM, or Linux server in minutes.

    Zero cloud lock-in, transactional disaster recovery, and an AI-assisted component studio.
  

[**Website**](https://njorddeploy.com) •
    [**Quick Start Guide**](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/GETTING_STARTED_FOR_BEGINNERS.md) •
    [**Fleet Health Dashboard**](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/test-reports/LATEST_RUN.md) •
    [**126 App Catalog**](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/SUPPORTED_SERVICES.md) •
    [**Architecture**](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) •
    [**REST API**](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/API_REFERENCE.md) •
    **Releases**

**🐣 New to self-hosting?** Check out our **[Beginner's Guide (Quick Start for Dummies)](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/GETTING_STARTED_FOR_BEGINNERS.md)** to get up and running in 5 minutes!
  

- **100+ Verified Sovereign Stacks** : Deploy pre-tested applications spanning AI/LLMs (Ollama, Open WebUI, LiteLLM), Cloud Storage (Immich, Nextcloud, Syncthing, MinIO), Home Automation (Home Assistant, ESPHome, Zigbee2MQTT), Security (Vaultwarden, AdGuard Home, Traefik, CrowdSec), and Media (Jellyfin, Plex, Audiobookshelf) (see[Supported Services Catalog](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/SUPPORTED_SERVICES.md) ).
- **1-Click Turnkey Bundles & Stacks** : Instant, single-click deployment presets for MSPs (*Modern Workplace* ,*Digital Archive & Compliance* ,*Agile Operations* ,*Observability* ) and Homelabs (*AI Studio* ,*Media Suite* ,*Smart Home* ,*DNS Shield* ) with zero port collisions and automated companion dependency wiring.
- **Zero Target Host Footprint** : Connects over agentless SSH. Does**not** require or install Python, compilers, or background agent daemons on the target machine.
- **Dual-Engine Architecture (Docker & Rootless Podman)** : Universal container abstraction supporting standard Docker CE and unprivileged Rootless Podman with automatic low-port kernel mapping (`net.ipv4.ip_unprivileged_port_start=53` ) and user session lingering.
- **AI Component Studio** : Convert any public or self-hosted Git repository (**GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, Forgejo, Codeberg, Bitbucket** ) into a validated Jinja2 Compose stack powered by local offline Ollama models, EU sovereign Loes.ai / HostYourAI, Google Gemini, or OpenAI (see[Developer AI Guide](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/DEVELOPER_AI_AND_SYNC_GUIDE.md) ).
- **Transactional Disaster Recovery** : Point-in-time state backups for all managed persistent volumes and databases with container-safe volume pausing, SHA-256 integrity checksums, and single-click restoration.
- **Proxmox 4-Way Cross-Validation & Autonomous Autopilot** : Automated hypervisor matrix testing across 4 quadrants (Docker vs Podman × LXC vs VM) with**100% verified pass rate (44/44 tests)** across all 11 Turnkey Packages. Includes autonomous zero-token watchdog supervision with Signal mobile alerts, local pull-through registry caching, and 1-click A4 vector PDF export with embedded visual proofs (see[Testing Strategy](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/TESTING_STRATEGY.md) and[Self-Healing DevOps Case Study](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/CASE_STUDY_SELF_HEALING_DEVOPS.md) ).
- **Headless REST API & Interactive Swagger UI** : Complete OpenAPI 3.0 REST engine for CI/CD automation, homelab scripting, and AI coding agents (see[API Reference](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/API_REFERENCE.md) ).

| Audience | Use Case | Key Benefits | 
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 **Homelab & Privacy** | Private Home Servers & SBCs | 100+ one-click apps, automatic L2 subnet scanning, 1-click web dashboards, zero terminal friction. | 
| ⚡ **Developers & DevOps** | Custom Stacks & CI/CD Pipelines | AI Component Studio (Git-to-Compose), Dual Docker/Podman engines, Headless REST API & CLI. | 
| 🏢 **MSPs & IT Consultants** | Turnkey Private Cloud on Proxmox | Standardized 15-min deployments, Dual-Layer Disaster Recovery (PBS + Volume state), 100% GDPR & NIS2 compliant. | 

1. **Download the Release** : Grab the portable package for your OS from the[GitHub Releases Page](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/releases) :
  - `NjordDeploy-Linux.zip`
  - `NjordDeploy-macOS.zip`
  - `NjordDeploy-Windows.zip`
2. **Unzip & Launch** :
  - **`NjordDeployConfigurator`** (`.exe` on Windows): Guided end-user deployment wizard (runs on`http://localhost:5001` ).
  - **`NjordDeployEditor`** (`.exe` on Windows): Developer tool for creating and modifying component metadata (runs on`http://localhost:5000` ).
  - **`NjordDeployProxmoxTest`** (`.exe` on Windows): Automated Proxmox VE hypervisor test matrix suite (runs on`http://localhost:5050` ).
3. **Follow the On-Screen Wizard** : Auto-discover your device on the local network, pick your software stacks, customize variables, and deploy with real-time browser log streaming.

Note

**Linux Desktop Users**: Grant the local scanner permission for L2 network discovery:

```
echo "$USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/nmap" | sudo tee /etc/sudoers.d/99-njorddeploy
sudo chmod 0440 /etc/sudoers.d/99-njorddeploy
```

Run NjordDeploy continuously on your server, mini-PC, or Proxmox VM:

- **Via Docker Compose:**

```
docker compose up -d
curl -s http://localhost:5001/api/health
```

- **Via Native Linux Systemd:**

```
sudo ./scripts/install_systemd_service.sh install
sudo ./scripts/install_systemd_service.sh status
```

For full persistent SSH key setup, reverse proxy integration, and environment options, see the **[24/7 Self-Hosted Service Guide](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/SELF_HOSTED_SERVICE_GUIDE.md)**.

- **Operating System** : Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- **Linux Prerequisites** :`sudo apt install -y nmap sshpass openssh-client`

- **Hardware** : Raspberry Pi 4/5, Orange Pi, Rock Pi, mini PC, x86_64 server, or Proxmox LXC/VM.
- **Operating System** : Debian 12 (Bookworm), Ubuntu 22.04/24.04, or Raspberry Pi OS.
- **Container Runtime** : Docker Engine (with Compose plugin) or Rootless Podman (with`podman-compose` ). NjordDeploy can automatically install and configure either during setup.
- **Host Runtime Policy** : No Python interpreter or compiler is installed on the target host. All operational and automation dependencies run strictly inside containers.

```
.
├── ansible/                  # Agentless provisioning playbooks
├── component_templates/      # 100+ modular Docker/Podman service templates
├── config/                   # Single Source of Truth (components_metadata.json)
├── docs/                     # Architectural specs, API references, and user guides
├── linux/                    # Linux desktop launcher and install scripts
├── scripts/                  # Proxmox test runners, fetch assets, daemon installers
├── src/
│   ├── configurator_app/     # End-user web wizard and OpenAPI Swagger server
│   ├── editor_app/           # Developer component studio and AI generator
│   ├── managers/             # Core orchestrators (deployment, ssh, sync, backup)
│   ├── node_scanner.py       # L2 ARP & subnet discovery engine
│   └── utils/                # AI failure diagnoser, container engines, Proxmox client
├── tests/                    # Comprehensive unit, integration, and Playwright tests
└── pyproject.toml            # Project configuration and dependency lock
```

- **[Beginner's Quick Start Guide](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/GETTING_STARTED_FOR_BEGINNERS.md)** : Visual step-by-step onboarding for Raspberry Pi newcomers.
- **[100% Local AI & Deterministic IaC](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/CASE_STUDY_LOCAL_AI_SOVEREIGNTY.md)** : Zero-cloud AI component scaffolding with Ollama.
- **[Self-Healing DevOps Case Study](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/CASE_STUDY_SELF_HEALING_DEVOPS.md)** : Proxmox 4-way cross-validation and automated diff patching.
- **[Building a Sovereign Home Server (DEV.to)](https://dev.to/henk_van_hoek/building-a-sovereign-home-server-lessons-learned-running-nextcloud-euro-office-and-frigate-on-a-1kbc)** : Real-world Raspberry Pi 5 hardware benchmarks ([local summary](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/sovereign_home_server.md) ).
- **[REST API Reference & Swagger UI](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/API_REFERENCE.md)** : Programmatic automation for AI agents and CI/CD.

Contributions are welcome! Please review [ARCHITECTURE.md](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) and [DATA_CONTRACTS.md](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/docs/DATA_CONTRACTS.md) to understand the core design principles and Single Source of Truth metadata contracts.

This project is licensed under the **[Business Source License 1.1 (BSL-1.1)](https://github.com/HenkVanHoek/njord-deploy/blob/main/LICENSE)**:

- **Standalone / Community** : 100% open, free, and sovereign to run on your own hardware, virtual machine, or homelab without artificial limits.
- **Automatic Open Source Transition** : Transitions unconditionally to the standard**Apache 2.0 License** two years after release.
- **MSP / Multi-node Fleet Management** : Managing multiple deployments or offering sovereign hosting to clients? Multi-node fleet orchestration, centralized health dashboards, and automated remote updates are supported via Njord Console. Contact us for MSP pilot access via[info@njorddeploy.com](mailto:info@njorddeploy.com) .

Copyright (c) 2025-2026 Henk van Hoek. All rights reserved.