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Run kombify TechStack on your own infrastructure with full control and no SaaS dependencies. This guide walks you through setting up a complete homelab management system.
What you’ll get: A self-hosted kombify TechStack instance that can manage your homelab, deploy StackKits, and monitor your infrastructure — all running on your own hardware.

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Prerequisites

Docker

Docker Engine 24.0+ with Compose v2.20+

System resources

4GB RAM minimum, 10GB disk space
If you prefer a managed experience without self-hosting, see Quick start (SaaS).

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Step 1: Install kombify TechStack

1

Create directory and download compose file

mkdir ~/kombify && cd ~/kombify
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kombify/techstack/main/docker-compose.yml
2

Start services

docker compose up -d
This starts:
  • kombify TechStack Core (API + PocketBase) on port 5260
  • kombify TechStack UI (SvelteKit dashboard) on port 5261
3

Access the dashboard

Open http://localhost:5261Default credentials:
  • Email: admin@kombistack.local
  • Password: admin123
Change the default password immediately after first login. Go to Settings → Security → Change Password.

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Step 2: Verify installation

Check that all services are running: 
curl http://localhost:5260/api/v1/health
# Expected: {"status":"healthy","version":"1.0.0"}

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Service ports

ServicePortProtocolDescription
Core API5260HTTPREST API + PocketBase Admin
Frontend5261HTTPSvelteKit Dashboard
gRPC5263gRPC/mTLSAgent communication

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Step 3: Create your first stack

1

Start the Easy Wizard

In the dashboard, click “New Homelab” → “Easy Wizard”.
The Easy Wizard asks simple questions about what you want to build. For granular control, use the Technical Wizard instead.
2

Answer wizard questions

QuestionExampleWhat it affects
Stack namemy-homelabIdentifier for this stack
StackKitbase-kitBase blueprint to use
Domainhome.localSSL and routing
3

Add your nodes

Add the server(s) you want to manage:
nodes:
  - name: main-server
    type: local
    connection:
      host: 192.168.1.100
      user: root
      ssh_key: ~/.ssh/id_rsa
You can add multiple nodes. kombify TechStack will distribute services across them based on available resources.
4

Select services

Choose services to deploy from the StackKit:
  • ✅ Traefik (reverse proxy with auto-SSL)
  • ✅ Uptime Kuma (monitoring)
  • ✅ Immich (photo management)
  • ✅ Homepage (dashboard)

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Step 4: Install agent on target server

The kombify agent runs on each server you want to manage. It communicates with TechStack via mTLS-secured gRPC.
1

Generate agent credentials

In the dashboard, go to “Agents” → “Add Agent”.You’ll receive:
  • A unique agent token
  • An installation command
Copy the installation command.
2

Run on target server

SSH into your target server and run the installation:
curl -sSL https://install.kombify.io/agent | sudo sh -s -- \
  --token YOUR_AGENT_TOKEN \
  --server http://your-kombistack-ip:5260
The agent is a lightweight Go binary (~15MB). It connects outbound to Stack, so no inbound ports are required on the target server.
3

Verify connection

The dashboard will show “Agent Connected” with a green status indicator.You can also check agent status on the server:
sudo systemctl status kombify-agent

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Step 5: Deploy

1

Review your configuration

Click “Review” to see the generated kombination.yaml.This is your single source of truth — version-controlled, shareable, and fully reproducible.
2

Simulate first (optional but recommended)

Click “Simulate” to test the configuration in kombify Simulate before deploying to real hardware.
3

Apply

Click “Apply” to start deployment.Watch the real-time progress:
✅ Validating configuration...
✅ Connecting to node: main-server
✅ Installing Docker services...
✅ Configuring network...
✅ Deployment complete!
4

Access services

Your services are now running:
  • Traefik: http://your-server:8080
  • Uptime Kuma: http://your-server:3001
  • Immich: http://your-server:2283

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Optional: Add kombify Simulate

Test configurations before deploying to real hardware. 
# Add to docker-compose.yml
services:
  kombisim:
    image: ghcr.io/kombify/kombisim:latest
    ports:
      - "5270:5270"
      - "2222-2322:2222-2322"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - kombisim-data:/app/data

volumes:
  kombisim-data:
Then restart: 
docker compose up -d
Access Simulate at http://localhost:5270.

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Configuration

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Environment variables

Create a .env file:
.env
# Core API
KOMBISTACK_PORT=5260
KOMBISTACK_GRPC_PORT=5263
KOMBISTACK_LOG_LEVEL=info

# Database
KOMBISTACK_DATA_DIR=./data

# Development mode (disable in production)
KOMBISTACK_DEV_MODE=false

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Custom domain

To use a custom domain, update your kombination.yaml: 
stack:
  domain: yourdomain.com
  email: admin@yourdomain.com

network:
  ssl:
    provider: letsencrypt

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Next steps

Explore kombify TechStack

Learn about TechStack’s features

Use kombify Simulate

Simulate before deploying

Browse StackKits

Explore infrastructure blueprints

Production setup

Configure for production use

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Troubleshooting

If ports are already in use, modify docker-compose.yml:
services:
  kombistack:
    ports:
      - "5360:5260"  # Changed from 5260
Add your user to the docker group:
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker
Check logs:
docker compose logs kombistack
docker compose logs app
Verify network connectivity:
# On target server
curl http://your-kombistack-ip:5260/api/v1/health

# Check agent logs
sudo journalctl -u kombify-agent -f
For production deployments, see the Production checklist.