Self-Hosting Starter Stack: First Apps on One Box (HomelabWise Hub)
Doc-based, not yet hands-on tested. This guide is written from the official documentation and has not yet been tested hands-on by us. Check the current official docs before running anything.
Date: 2026-10-24. Versions are pinned in each linked guide.
Transparency note (HomelabWise): This guide is based on official documentation and provider pages only, and was not hands-on tested by us. Each guide below cites its own official sources.
Suggested order for beginners:
- Pick hardware: Best Mini PC for Jellyfin or a VPS.
- Install Immich: Immich Docker Compose Setup.
- Set up backups before you import anything: Immich Backup & Restore.
- Import photos: Move Google Photos to Immich.
- Add media and passwords: Jellyfin, then Vaultwarden.
1. Photos: Immich
Immich is a self-hosted photo and video library. Its docs call Docker Compose "the recommended method to run Immich in production" (docs).
- Immich Docker Compose Setup: install, pin v3.3.5, first login on port 2283.
- Move Google Photos to Immich: Google Takeout and immich-go.
- Immich Backup & Tested Restore Drill. Immich's docs recommend a 3-2-1 backup strategy (docs).
2. Media: Jellyfin
Jellyfin calls itself "The Free Software Media System" (jellyfin.org).
- Jellyfin vs Plex: what Plex charges for remote streaming, according to its plans page.
- Jellyfin Intel Quick Sync in Docker, following the official Intel HWA guide.
3. Passwords: Vaultwarden
- Vaultwarden with Docker + HTTPS (Caddy). The Vaultwarden wiki says HTTPS "is pretty much required" (wiki).
4. Where to run it
- Cheapest VPS for Immich/Nextcloud: plans filtered by the official RAM requirements (Immich: 6 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended — requirements).
- Best Mini PC for Jellyfin: a spec-based checklist built from the Jellyfin and Intel docs.
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[AFFILIATE: Amazon Associates — mini PC] [AFFILIATE: DigitalOcean / Hostinger — VPS]