furtka/README.md

# Homebase

**Open-source home server OS — simple enough for everyone.**

> Working title: **Homebase**. Robert's internal codename: **Furtka** (Polish for "gate" — plays on the gateway concept). FurtkaOS is also in the running.

Turn any x86 PC into a powerful, self-hosted home server with an app-store experience. No terminal skills required.

## Vision

People are tired of big companies knowing everything about them. Synology NAS comes close to solving this, but it's expensive and still too complicated for most people.

Homebase aims to be:

- **As easy to install as Windows** — boot from USB, click through a wizard, done
- **As easy to use as an app store** — want Nextcloud? Click install, pick a name, wait a few minutes, and you have `nextcloud.yourdomain.de`
- **Container-based** — everything runs in Docker, with sensible default configs
- **Built for normal people** — your dad should be able to run his own cloud server
- **Fully open source** — with an optional support/infrastructure subscription (Proxmox model)

## Principles

- **Everything already exists** — We're not inventing, we're connecting. Docker, reverse proxies, Let's Encrypt — it all works. We just wire it together with default configs and a simple wrapper.
- **Dogfooding** — We build what we use ourselves. If we wouldn't run it at home, we don't ship it.
- **Two-tier UX** — Dead simple for beginners (click Install, done), full control for advanced users (SSH in, edit configs, do whatever you want).

## Architecture

```
+------------------+
|   Web UI         |  <- Simple admin panel / app store
+------------------+
|   Settings       |  <- UI/API wrapper that generates Docker configs
|   Wrapper        |     from simple user choices
+------------------+
|   Docker         |  <- Containers with sensible default configs
+------------------+
|   Gateway        |  <- Reverse proxy, SSL, DNS (self-hosted or managed)
+------------------+
|   Base OS        |  <- Minimal Linux (leaning Arch, Debian as fallback)
+------------------+
|   Any x86 HW     |  <- Old PC, mini PC, NUC, whatever
+------------------+
```

## Key Decisions

| Decision | Status | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| Base OS | Leaning Arch | Robert already has Arch running on Proxmox and is building custom images. Debian remains fallback (FAI, Proxmox ecosystem). |
| Containers | Docker | Lower overhead than VMs, easier default configs |
| Installation | Web-based wizard | Robert's webapp prototype (device reader + form → JSON) is working |
| Gateway | Flexible | Own reverse proxy OR managed through our infrastructure |
| UI approach | UI-first | Design the simplest possible UI, then build everything to match |

## Landscape (Existing Projects)

| Project | Type | Apps | Key Trait |
|---------|------|------|-----------|
| [CasaOS](https://casaos.io) | Layer on existing Linux | ~100 | Simplest install, runs on any distro |
| [Umbrel](https://umbrel.com) | Debian-based full OS | ~300 | Slick UI, crypto/privacy focus |
| [Runtipi](https://runtipi.io) | Docker-based, GPL-3.0 | 200+ | Largest default app catalog |
| [HomeDock OS](https://github.com/BansheeTech/HomeDockOS) | Pseudo-OS layer | Hundreds | Desktop-style UX with window manager |
| [Cosmos Server](https://github.com/azukaar/Cosmos-Server) | All-in-one platform | Docker | Built-in 2FA, anti-DDoS, security focus |
| [YunoHost](https://yunohost.org) | Debian-based OS (since 2012) | 400+ | Most mature, biggest catalog |
| [TurnKey Linux](https://www.turnkeylinux.org) | Pre-built system images | Hundreds | One image per use case |

### Where we differentiate

1. **Full OS + device-aware installer wizard** — Boot USB, open `http://proksi.local`, wizard detects hardware and configures everything. No existing project does this — CasaOS/HomeDock are layers on existing Linux, Umbrel/YunoHost have basic installers without device detection.
2. **Auto setup intelligence** — Tests drive speeds, auto-assigns boot/LVM storage. Competitors just ask you to pick a drive.
3. **Gateway-as-a-service** — No competitor offers managed reverse proxy/DNS as a service. Cosmos has built-in reverse proxy but self-managed only.
4. **Arch base (rolling release)** — Everyone else is Debian. Rolling releases mean faster updates, more control.

### Gap we're targeting

None of these nail the "your dad can set this up" experience. The installer wizard + managed gateway is the strongest angle.

## Resources

- [awesome-docker-compose.com](https://awesome-docker-compose.com) — Ready-made Docker Compose configs (useful later for app store defaults)

## Inspiration

- **Azure Local** — cluster management for enterprises, we want this for home users
- **Proxmox community-scripts** — great base, but VM-focused (more overhead)
- **Synology DSM** — closest to our UX goal, but proprietary and expensive
- **Home Assistant** — app-store model for smart home, we want this for all services

## Roadmap

- [x] Installer webapp prototype — device reader + form → JSON (Robert)
- [x] Arch running on Proxmox, custom image builds in progress (Robert)
- [ ] **Competitor testing** — Daniel tests CasaOS, Umbrel, YunoHost on Proxmox, documents UX findings
- [ ] **Base OS bootable image** — Robert gets a minimal Arch image that boots, runs Docker, serves the installer webapp
- [ ] UI mockups / drafts (Robert)
- [ ] Base OS finalized (Arch vs Debian)
- [ ] First containerized service (Nextcloud?)
- [ ] Gateway / reverse proxy setup
- [ ] Settings wrapper — generate Docker configs from user choices

## Business Model

Homebase starts as a private/personal project. The long-term model follows Proxmox:

- **Free & open source** — anyone can download, install, and use it
- **Paid support & managed infrastructure** — for users who want hassle-free setup
- **Managed gateway option** — the gateway (reverse proxy, SSL, DNS) can be self-hosted or run through our managed infrastructure (potential subscription revenue)

## Team

- **Robert** — Architecture, UI design, webapp installer prototype
- **Daniel** — Infrastructure, testing, DevOps

## License

AGPL-3.0 — open source, community-driven.