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Two Ways to Use No Longer Evil

No Longer Evil offers two deployment options depending on your technical expertise and preferences:

Hosted Service

Recommended for most usersPlug and play - no server setup required

Self-Hosted

For advanced usersComplete control over your infrastructure

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What You Get

The hosted service uses No Longer Evil’s managed infrastructure at nolongerevil.com. Your thermostat connects to our servers instead of Google’s.
No server setup, no database management, no SSL certificates. Just flash the firmware and start using your thermostat.
Automatic updates to the API server, dashboard, and features. You always get the latest improvements without lifting a finger.
Access your thermostat from anywhere via our hosted web dashboard. Control temperature, schedules, and settings from any device.
Simple entry code system to link multiple thermostats to your account. Perfect for multi-zone setups.
No technical expertise required. If you can follow step-by-step instructions and plug in a USB cable, you can do this.

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What You Need

Time Required

15-30 minutesMost of this is waiting for firmware to flash and boot

Technical Level

Beginner FriendlyCan follow simple instructions

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Limitations

Data Privacy: Your thermostat data (temperature settings, schedules) is stored on No Longer Evil servers. We’re committed to privacy, but if you need absolute data ownership, consider self-hosting.
Service Dependency: Your thermostat depends on No Longer Evil’s service availability. If our servers go down (rare), you’ll temporarily lose remote access. Local thermostat functionality continues to work.

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Best For

  • Homeowners who want a simple, working solution
  • Users without technical/server management experience
  • Anyone who wants to try No Longer Evil without commitment

Get Started with Hosted Service

Follow our step-by-step guide to flash firmware and start using your thermostat in under 30 minutes

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Self-Hosted (Advanced)

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What You Get

Self-hosting means running your own No Longer Evil infrastructure. Your thermostat connects to your server, not ours.
All thermostat data stays on your servers. You control the database, logs, and every piece of information.
Your thermostat works independently of No Longer Evil’s service. Even if we shut down, your setup keeps running forever.
Modify the API server, build custom integrations, add features, or tweak behavior to your exact needs.
Run everything on your local network for ultra-low latency and no internet dependency (optional).

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What You Need

Time Required

30 minutes – 2 hoursDepends on your setup (Docker install, network config)

Technical Level

AdvancedComfortable with command line, Docker, networking

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Requirements

1

Server/Computer

A machine that can run 24/7 (Raspberry Pi, NAS, VPS, home server, or cloud VM)
2

Technical Skills

  • Command line / terminal navigation
  • Basic networking knowledge (local IPs, port forwarding if remote access is needed)
  • Docker experience (or willingness to learn)
3

Infrastructure (for remote access only)

  • Public IP or DDNS service (only if accessing from outside your home network)
  • Port forwarding capability on router (only if accessing remotely)

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Components You’ll Run

When self-hosting, you’re responsible for running and maintaining:
  1. API Server (Port 8000) — Handles thermostat device communication
  2. Control API / Dashboard (Port 8082) — Web interface for device management
  3. MQTT (Optional) — Publishes climate entities to Home Assistant via MQTT discovery

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Challenges to Expect

This path requires some technical comfort. You’ll need to:
  • Install and run Docker (or use the Home Assistant add-on)
  • Set a LAN IP in your server configuration
  • Keep a machine running 24/7 on your network
  • Pull updates manually when new versions release
SSL certificates, firewalls, and databases are not required for a standard home LAN setup — these only apply if you’re exposing your server to the internet.If you’re not comfortable with Docker basics, we recommend the hosted service.

Self-Hosted Setup Guide

Ready for the challenge? Follow our comprehensive guide to set up your own No Longer Evil infrastructure