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kombify uses the word “local” in several places. Usually it says where something runs: on your own computer or your own server. It does not switch your network off, and it does not say whether you use a kombify account.

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In plain words

You make two separate choices. One is whether you use a kombify account. The other is which AI answers you. You can use your own or local AI with or without an account. Only kombify AI needs a kombify account. Some products also have a stricter setting that keeps everything on your own network or device. Those settings say so in their own name. See Keeping everything on your own network.

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Choice 1: with or without a kombify account

Without a kombify account, your homelab or desktop app runs on your own hardware and nothing appears in kombify Cloud. With an account, your homelab or your app is registered to that account. An account decides what kombify Cloud can show and operate. It does not change where things run: a Connected homelab still runs on your server, and the Connected edition of Workbench Desktop still runs on your computer.
The Standalone edition still uses your network and the internet, for example to reach an AI provider you set up.
See the three ways to run a homelab and Standalone and Connected editions.

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Reaching your homelab from outside is a separate switch

A homelab can stay on your home network only, or be reachable from anywhere through your own domain or a *.kombify.me address once you turn that on. This works in every way of running a homelab. See kombify.me.

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Choice 2: which AI

  • kombify AI is the AI that comes with your kombify account. See kombify AI.
  • Your own provider account or keys let an app such as Workbench Desktop use a model provider you already pay for.
  • A model on your own hardware (local AI) runs on your server or your computer. The Personal AI use case installs one on your homelab.
  • No AI is always possible. StackKits installs and operates a homelab without any model.
Local AI does not depend on the account choice:

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Keeping everything on your own network

Neither choice above stops data from leaving your network by itself. A provider you set up still receives what you send it. When nothing should leave, use the setting a product names for it, for example SpeechKit’s This device only. See Work offline and SpeechKit privacy settings.

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Common questions

  • Does local mean offline? Not by itself. The Standalone edition and a Self-managed homelab use your network and the internet as usual. Only settings named for it, such as SpeechKit’s This device only, keep everything off the internet.
  • Can I use local AI together with a kombify account? Yes. The two choices are separate.
  • Does a kombify account move my homelab into the cloud? No. Only “Managed by kombify” runs on a server that kombify operates.
  • Is my Workbench Desktop registered to my kombify account? Only the Connected edition is. It is listed under kombify Connect devices. The Standalone edition has no kombify account and no kombify Connect.

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If something goes wrong

If a feature asks for a kombify account, you are using it without one. Either continue without that feature, or create an account. For Workbench Desktop, install the Connected edition to sign in; the Standalone edition never signs in to a kombify account.

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Next steps