How to Self-Host Homer on a VPS (Complete Guide)

Homer is a lightweight static web application that allows you to create a custom dashboard for your self-hosted apps. This guide will cover the steps to self-host Homer on a Virtual Private Server (VPS). We will walk through installing Docker, pulling the Homer image, and configuring it for your use.

Choosing a VPS Provider

Before we dive into the installation, you need to choose a VPS provider. Below is a comparison of some popular options you might consider:

For this guide, we recommend Hetzner Cloud due to its affordability and features. Check out the full VPS comparison for more options.

Prerequisites

1. A VPS with at least 1 GB RAM and Ubuntu or Debian OS.
2. Basic knowledge of SSH and Docker.
3. A domain name pointing to your VPS (optional but recommended for accessing your Homer dashboard).

Step 1: Update Your VPS

SSH into your VPS:

ssh user@your_vps_ip

Ensure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Docker

You need to install Docker to run the Homer application. Here’s how:

Install Docker

Run the following commands:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common -y
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce -y

Verify Docker Installation

Check if Docker is installed correctly:

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo docker --version

If installed correctly, Docker version should be displayed.

Step 3: Deploy Homer

Now it’s time to deploy Homer. Create a directory for Homer:

mkdir -p ~/homer
cd ~/homer

Pull Homer Docker Image

You can pull the latest Homer image using the following command:

sudo docker pull b4bz/homer:latest

Create a Configuration File

Create a default configuration file:

curl -o config.yml https://ghproxy.com/https://raw.githubusercontent.com/b4bz/homer/master/config.yml

Edit the config.yml file to customize your dashboard:

nano config.yml

Make changes as necessary, focusing on the links and titles of your self-hosted applications.

Run Homer Docker Container

Now, it’s time to run the Homer container:

sudo docker run -d \
  --name homer \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  -v ~/homer/config.yml:/www/assets/config.yml \
  b4bz/homer:latest

Homer will be accessible at http://your_vps_ip:8080. If you mapped it to a domain, use that instead.

Step 4: Reverse Proxy Setup (Optional)

To make Homer accessible via a nicer URL, configure a reverse proxy. We recommend using Nginx or Traefik for this.

Install Nginx

sudo apt install nginx -y

Configure Nginx

Create a new configuration file for Homer:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/homer

Add the following configuration, replacing your_domain.com:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your_domain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:8080;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Enable the configuration:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/homer /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Now, access Homer through your domain name without specifying the port.

FAQs

Can I customize the Homer dashboard?

Yes, the Homer dashboard is highly customizable. You can edit the config.yml file to change the name and URL of each application link. Add logos or icons to represent each service more visually. For complex configurations, refer to the Homer documentation on GitHub.

What if I run into issues while installing Docker?

If you face issues during the Docker installation, ensure your server is compatible and that you have the latest version of the Ubuntu or Debian system updates. Check Docker’s official troubleshooting guide for common errors. Additionally, custom firewall settings may affect connectivity—ensure that outbound access to Docker repositories is allowed.

How secure is self-hosting applications like Homer?

Self-hosting applications require security measures. Ensure your VPS operates with a firewall—UFW is an excellent choice for Ubuntu. Regularly update your applications and the underlying OS to prevent vulnerabilities. If you expose your dashboard to the internet, consider implementing HTTPS using Let’s Encrypt to encrypt data transfers.

By following this guide, you can effectively self-host Homer on a VPS, giving you quick access to your favorite applications in one convenient dashboard. Happy hosting!