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What is Self-Hosting?

Self-hosting means running your own No Longer Evil infrastructure on your own server. Your thermostat connects to your server, not the hosted service at nolongerevil.com.
Advanced Users Only: Self-hosting requires technical troubleshooting skills with command line, Docker, and networking. If you’re not comfortable with these, we recommend using the hosted service instead.

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How It Works

1

Set Up Your NLE Server

Pull and run the pre-built Docker image (ghcr.io/codykociemba/nolongerevil-selfhosted:latest) on any always-on machine — or install the Home Assistant add-on if you’re on HAOS.
2

Flash Your Thermostat

Run the GUI installer on macOS or Linux to flash custom firmware to your Nest Gen 1 or Gen 2 thermostat via USB. The firmware redirects all thermostat traffic from Google’s servers to your server.
3

Select Self-Hosted in the Wizard

When the installer wizard asks for a hosting mode, choose Self-Hosted and enter your server address. The wizard handles SSH configuration and device registration automatically.
4

Thermostat Connects to Your Server

Once configured, your thermostat connects to your self-hosted NLE server instead of Google’s servers. All communication stays within your infrastructure.
Key Difference from Hosted: You’re responsible for running the NLE server. The hosted service runs this for you.

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What You’ll Need

Server Hardware

Raspberry Pi, NAS, VPS, home server, or cloud VM that can run 24/7

Nest Gen 1 or Gen 2

Compatible thermostatCheck compatibility →

Technical Skills

Command line, Docker, and basic networking

Computer for Flashing

Linux or macOS (Windows not supported)

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Components You’ll Run

When self-hosting, you’re responsible for running and maintaining:

API Server (Port 8000)

Handles thermostat device communicationPre-built Docker image: ghcr.io/codykociemba/nolongerevil-selfhosted:latest

Control API / Dashboard (Port 8082)

Web interface for device management

MQTT (Optional)

Publishes climate entities to Home Assistant via MQTT discovery
Not sure if self-hosting is right for you? See Choose Your Path →

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Ready to Get Started?

Prerequisites

Review requirements before starting installation

Installation Guide

Step-by-step instructions to set up your self-hosted infrastructure

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Need Help?

Join Discord

Ask the self-hosting community

GitHub Issues

Report bugs or request features