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Managed servers are preview scope. They are not a general-availability claim, and the option only appears as selectable when your kombify account has managed servers enabled. See availability.
A managed server is the kombify VPS option under I need a server in the Add Node wizard. kombify creates a virtual server with a partner provider, prepares it, and connects it to your homelab. You do not rent the server or run a command yourself.

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How a managed server works

  1. In the Node step, choose I need a server, then kombify VPS. Techstack checks which providers your account can use. If none is enabled, the option stays unavailable and the wizard names what is missing. You can still connect your own device.
  2. Review the server details the wizard shows: size (vCPU, RAM, disk), location, and provider.
  3. Finish the wizard. kombify creates the server from an Ubuntu 24.04 image, connects it to your homelab, and then sets up the tools you selected. The progress page shows each step.
A managed server uses the Cloud Kit foundation. Like every other Node, its services can be reached through your own domain or a *.kombify.me address; see kombify.me.

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Providers

Techstack currently lists two partner providers for managed servers:
  • IONOS
  • centron
Which of them you can choose depends on your account. When more than one is enabled, open Provider & server details to pick one. When only one is enabled, the wizard shows it as the provider for your server. For IONOS, the server is created in an IONOS datacenter in Frankfurt, Germany. The wizard shows the location in the server details. Choosing other sizes or locations is not available in the wizard yet. If you prefer to rent a server yourself, choose Find a server with a partner instead. It links to the same providers. Once your server is ready, connect it with the pairing command or over SSH.

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Standard and Premium

A managed server comes in two sizes. The wizard shows which one applies as Your standard VPS or Your premium VPS, together with its exact vCPU, RAM, disk size, and location.
  • Standard is the default size for a new managed server.
  • Premium currently has more resources than Standard: more disk space with every provider, and on IONOS also more vCPU and RAM.
The exact size depends on the provider, so check the values the wizard shows before you confirm. A managed Node added to an existing managed StackKit keeps that StackKit’s size.

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Availability

Managed servers are in preview. The option is selectable only when your kombify account has managed server access and at least one provider enabled. If Techstack cannot check your account right now, the wizard says so and offers Try again. In every case you can add a server you own instead, with the pairing command or over SSH. For the current public and preview boundaries of Techstack, see availability.