this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2025
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What OS should I use for self-hosting that doesn't require extensive terminal knowledge? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by scheep@lemmy.world to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world
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I am trying to use my old laptops for self-hosting. One has a 6th gen Intel Core i3 (4GB ram), the other has an 11th gen Intel Core i5 (8GB ram). I have previously tried both ubuntu server and desktop but couldn't get it to work well. For the former I found it difficult to remote ssh and the latter I had difficulty installing Docker containers. (I'm not very good with the command line)

I would like to find an OS that is easier to setup with less of a neccesity for the command line (I would still like to learn how to use it though, I don't want to get rid of it entirely!). I've heard of CasaOS, is that a good option? It seems quite easy to use. What about other alternatives?

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[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I can recommend you Debian, since it's the "default" for many servers and has a lot of documentation and an extremely big userbase.

For web interfaces, I can recommend you, as you already mentioned, CasaOS and Cockpit.

I used CasaOS in the beginning and liked it, but nowadays, I mostly use Cockpit, where I have the feeling that it integrates the host system more, and allows me to do most of my maintenance (updating, etc.) quite easily.

CasaOS is more aesthetic imo, and allows you to install docker containers graphically, which is better for beginners.
I personally do my docker stuff mostly via CLI (docker compose file) nowadays, because I find it more straightforward, but the configuration CasaOS offers is easier to understand and has nice defaults

[–] scheep@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thanks, that was really helpful :D

I'll try CasaOS then, and later maybe I could move to Debian once I get better at the command line!

[–] BruisedMoose@piefed.social 4 points 1 year ago

For what it's worth, CasaOS isn't actually an operating system. It absolutely works as an easy way to install and manage your self-hosted apps if you aren't comfortable with the command line, but you still need to have a working Linux installation.

Yunohost is kind of similar as far as making things easier, but it operates as a standalone OS, so might be more what you're looking for.

[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

CasaOS isn't an OS, it's just the web interface you install afterwards you have Debian or whatever running

[–] scheep@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

OHHH that's why I couldn't find out how to install it. Got it.