Self-Host

Self-Host Zam.

Run Zam on your own Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian server with a guided installer. Hosted Zam stays simple. Self-hosting gives advanced users more control.

A separate path, not a replacement.

Hosted Zam remains the easiest way to use Zam. Self-hosting is optional for users who want to run the stack on their own server, own the operational setup, and manage their own backups.

Why self-host?

Ownership

Run it on infrastructure you control.

Use your own server, domain, DNS, SMTP provider, and backup destination instead of relying only on the hosted Zam app.

Trust

Keep the setup visible.

The guided installer writes the deployment files on your server so advanced users can inspect what runs.

Privacy

No paid gates for personal self-hosting.

Self-host is a free, user-controlled deployment path. Hosted Zam Budget Premium remains separate and unchanged.

Install Zam Self-Host in a few guided steps.

  1. 1Prepare an Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian VPS
  2. 2Point your domain or Cloudflare DNS
  3. 3Review the source package
  4. 4Run the guided installer
  5. 5Open your Zam instance

Source-first install

Inspect the code before downloading.

Zam Self-Host is planned as a dedicated open-source package. Review the installer, Docker Compose files, Ansible playbooks, schema migrations, backup scripts, and docs before running anything on your server.

GitLab source Primary repository GitHub mirror Public review mirror

If the source repository is not public yet, treat the installer as not ready. The self-host package should be inspectable before it is used.

Installer command

Copy the release installer after review.

curl -fsSL https://zambudget.com/self-host/install.sh -o install-zam-selfhost.sh && chmod +x install-zam-selfhost.sh && sudo ./install-zam-selfhost.sh

Review the installer before running it on your server. Zam Self-Host currently targets Ubuntu Server LTS and Debian server environments.

Powered by Ansible under the hood, but designed as a guided installer for normal users.

Supported server targets.

Zam Self-Host is designed for Ubuntu Server LTS and Debian server environments. Our beginner setup guide uses Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS.

Recommended Beginner Path Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS

Primary screenshots, documentation, and guided setup target for the first self-host release.

Additional Supported Targets
  • Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS
  • Ubuntu Server 26.04 LTS
  • Debian 12
  • Debian 13
Advanced users may choose another supported target, but the clearest setup path is Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS.

What the installer handles.

Server setup

  • Guided installer
  • Ansible-powered setup
  • Docker and Docker Compose configuration
  • Caddy configuration

App configuration

  • Environment/config templates
  • SMTP magic-link setup
  • Health checks
  • Upgrade documentation

Operations

  • Backup/restore tooling
  • Troubleshooting documentation
  • No Google OAuth requirement
  • No Premium billing requirement

Network and security modes.

Zam Self-Host should expose only what is needed for the chosen setup. Do not expose Postgres, internal Supabase services, Portainer, or backend admin tools directly to the public internet.

Recommended

Cloudflare Tunnel mode

Keep the app behind Cloudflare Tunnel and expose only SSH on the server.

22/tcp SSH
Direct VPS

Caddy + HTTPS mode

Use Caddy for HTTPS and expose only normal web ports plus SSH.

22/tcp SSH 80/tcp HTTP validation/redirect 443/tcp HTTPS

Provider notes.

Zam does not require a specific VPS provider. The guided setup is designed for standard Ubuntu Server LTS and Debian VPS environments. Examples of commonly used providers include DigitalOcean, Linode / Akamai Cloud, OVHcloud, and Contabo.

Provider names are examples only. Zam is not affiliated with or endorsed by these providers unless explicitly stated.

What is not included in v1.

No OAuth requirement

Self-host V1 uses magic-link email login through SMTP. Google and Apple login are not required.

No official Ubuntu Desktop support

Ubuntu Desktop may work for local labs, but support docs assume server environments.

No provider endorsement

Provider names are examples. The installer should not imply partnership or endorsement.

Self-host FAQ.

Can I use Ubuntu Desktop?

Ubuntu Desktop may work for local labs, but Zam Self-Host support docs assume Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian server environments.

Do I need Stripe?

No. Personal self-host deployments do not require Stripe. Hosted Zam Budget billing remains separate.

Do I need Google or Apple login?

No. Self-host V1 should use magic-link email login through SMTP.

Do I need to know Ansible?

No. The installer may use Ansible under the hood, but the user experience should be guided.

Can I use Cloudflare?

Yes. Cloudflare DNS or Cloudflare Tunnel can be recommended, but Zam should not require a specific provider.

Is this replacing hosted Zam?

No. Hosted Zam remains the easiest path. Self-hosting is optional for users who want more control.

Hosted Zam remains available.

Use hosted Zam if you want the simplest setup. Choose Self-Host when you want to operate the stack yourself and accept the responsibility for server updates, SMTP delivery, backups, and restore testing.