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

NjordDeploy launched as an agentless self-hosting engine that deploys over 126 verified, privacy-first applications to Raspberry Pi, Proxmox VMs, or Linux servers using Docker and rootless Podman. The tool connects over agentless SSH with zero target-host footprint and includes an AI Component Studio that converts public or self-hosted Git repositories from GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, Forgejo, Codeberg, and Bitbucket into validated Jinja2 Compose stacks powered by local offline Ollama models, Loes.ai, HostYourAI, Google Gemini, or OpenAI. NjordDeploy reports a 100% verified pass rate (44/44 tests) across all 11 Turnkey Packages in its Proxmox 4-way cross-validation matrix.

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.