Building a Camera Bar Widget for Omarchy (Reolink + Google Nest)

A snapshot pill in the Omarchy bar that switches between however many cameras you’ve got, with a popup UI to add or remove them — no config file editing, no fixed camera count.

September 4, 2026 · 4 min · 643 words · Alan

Reverse Proxy with Caddy: The Only Config You Need for HTTPS

Once you’re running more than one self-hosted app, a reverse proxy stops being optional. Caddy gets you there with a config file short enough to read in ten seconds.

September 3, 2026 · 2 min · 409 words · Alan

Systemd Services Explained: Writing Your Own Unit File

Every guide shows you a unit file to copy. Here’s what each line actually does, tested live, including the one gotcha that trips up nearly every first attempt at a user service.

September 3, 2026 · 2 min · 416 words · Alan

Best Self-Hosted Apps to Run on a Home Server in 2026

A shortlist of self-hosted apps that are actually worth the maintenance burden, organized by what problem they solve.

September 1, 2026 · 3 min · 495 words · Alan

Turn an Old Laptop Into a Home Server (Step by Step)

You don’t need a NAS or a rack to start self-hosting. An old laptop with a broken screen and a wall outlet is enough.

September 1, 2026 · 4 min · 711 words · Alan