> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kombify.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Before you start: what a homelab is and what you need

> A plain-language introduction for people who have never set up a server

You do not need to be a server expert to use StackKits, but a few ideas make the
first hour much easier. This page explains them and tells you what to prepare.

## What a homelab is

A homelab is a computer that stays on and runs programs for you and your
household. Instead of storing photos, files or passwords with a company, you
keep them on a machine you own. StackKits installs and connects the programs
for you.

A kit is the starting point. A **Basement Kit** is for a computer in your home.
A **Cloud Kit** is for a server you rent and already operate. If you are
unsure, start with the Basement Kit. See [Choose a kit](/guides/stackkits/choosing-a-kit).

## What you need

<Steps>
  <Step title="A computer that can stay on">
    Any computer you control that can run day and night, for example a mini PC.
    Check the list of operating systems that have been tested in
    [OS compatibility](/stackkits/reference/os-compatibility). Use one of the
    listed systems.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access to the command line on that computer">
    The setup is one command that you paste into a terminal. You do not need to
    understand it, but you must be allowed to run it on the computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Your home network">
    The computer and your phone or laptop must be on the same network at
    first. StackKits does not change every device or your router on its own.
    The default local domain is `home.test`, so your devices must be able to
    resolve names under it before the addresses open.
  </Step>

  <Step title="A private place for the access details">
    Setup creates access details in the file `.stackkit/access.json`. Keep them
    private and do not send them in chat or by e-mail.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You do **not** need a kombify account, a credit card or a rented server.

## What happens during setup

1. The installer downloads the released StackKits and the software it needs.
2. It creates a folder, `~/my-homelab`, and a local owner for your homelab.
3. It checks the configuration and starts the default services.
4. You open the Node Hub and finish protecting it. See [Node Hub](/guides/stackkits/node-hub).

You can read the same steps in more detail in the [Quickstart](/stackkits/quickstart).

## What to do right after

1. Create your owner passkey in PocketID as shown in the [Node Hub guide](/guides/stackkits/node-hub).
2. Set up a backup and try one restore: [Back up and restore](/guides/stackkits/back-up-and-restore).
3. Add one use case. [Documents & Files](/guides/stackkits/use-cases/documents-and-files)
   is a good first one.

## Where you can get stuck

* The address of a service does not open: see [Troubleshooting](/guides/stackkits/troubleshooting).

<Note>
  StackKits is software you operate yourself. You decide what runs, you approve
  changes that alter the stack and you keep the backups. The documentation says
  for each use case how well it has been tested.
</Note>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.