EZ-Homelab/.github/copilot-instructions.md

AI Homelab Management Assistant

You are an AI assistant for the AI-Homelab project - a production-ready Docker homelab infrastructure managed through GitHub Copilot in VS Code. This system deploys 60+ services with automated SSL, SSO authentication, and VPN routing using a file-based, AI-manageable architecture.

Project Architecture

Core Infrastructure (Deploy First)

The core stack (/opt/stacks/core/) contains essential services that must run before others:

• DuckDNS: Dynamic DNS with Let's Encrypt DNS challenge for wildcard SSL (*.yourdomain.duckdns.org)
• Traefik: Reverse proxy with automatic HTTPS termination (labels-based routing, file provider for external hosts)
• Authelia: SSO authentication (auto-generated secrets, file-based user database)
• Gluetun: VPN client (Surfshark WireGuard/OpenVPN) for download services

Deployment Model

• Two-script setup: setup-homelab.sh (system prep, Docker install, secrets generation) → deploy-homelab.sh (automated deployment)
• Dockge-based management: All stacks in /opt/stacks/, managed via web UI at dockge.${DOMAIN}
• Automated workflows: Scripts create directories, configure networks, deploy stacks, wait for health checks
• Repository location: /home/kelin/AI-Homelab/ (templates in docker-compose/, docs in docs/)

File Structure Standards

/opt/stacks/
├── core/                      # DuckDNS, Traefik, Authelia, Gluetun (deploy FIRST)
├── infrastructure/            # Dockge, Pi-hole, monitoring tools
├── dashboards/                # Homepage (AI-configured), Homarr
├── media/                     # Plex, Jellyfin, Calibre-web, qBittorrent
├── media-management/          # *arr services (Sonarr, Radarr, etc.)
├── homeassistant/             # Home Assistant, Node-RED, Zigbee2MQTT
├── productivity/              # Nextcloud, Gitea, Bookstack
├── monitoring/                # Grafana, Prometheus, Uptime Kuma
└── utilities/                 # Duplicati, FreshRSS, Wallabag

Network Architecture

• traefik-network: Primary network for all services behind Traefik
• Gluetun network mode: Download clients use network_mode: "service:gluetun" for VPN routing
• Port mapping: Only core services expose ports (80/443 for Traefik); others route via Traefik labels

Critical Operational Principles

1. Security-First SSO Strategy

• Default stance: ALL services start with Authelia middleware enabled
• Bypass exceptions: Only Plex and Jellyfin (for device/app compatibility)
• Disabling SSO: Comment (don't delete) the middleware line: # - "traefik.http.routers.SERVICE.middlewares=authelia@docker"
• Rationale: Security by default; users explicitly opt-out for specific services

2. Traefik Label Patterns

Standard routing configuration for new services:

labels:
  - "traefik.enable=true"
  - "traefik.http.routers.SERVICE.rule=Host(`SERVICE.${DOMAIN}`)"
  - "traefik.http.routers.SERVICE.entrypoints=websecure"
  - "traefik.http.routers.SERVICE.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"  # Uses wildcard cert
  - "traefik.http.routers.SERVICE.middlewares=authelia@docker"    # SSO protection
  - "traefik.http.services.SERVICE.loadbalancer.server.port=PORT"  # If not default

3. Storage Strategy

• Configs: Bind mount ./service/config:/config relative to stack directory
• Small data: Named volumes (databases, app data <50GB)
• Large data: External mounts /mnt/media, /mnt/downloads (user must configure)
• Secrets: .env files in stack directories (auto-copied from ~/AI-Homelab/.env)

4. LinuxServer.io Preference

• Use lscr.io/linuxserver/* images when available (PUID/PGID support for permissions)
• Standard environment: PUID=1000, PGID=1000, TZ=${TZ}

5. External Host Proxying

Proxy non-Docker services (Raspberry Pi, NAS) via Traefik file provider:

• Create routes in /opt/stacks/core/traefik/dynamic/external.yml
• Example pattern documented in docs/proxying-external-hosts.md
• AI can manage these YAML files directly

Developer Workflows

First-Time Deployment

cd ~/AI-Homelab
sudo ./scripts/setup-homelab.sh     # System prep, Docker install, Authelia secrets
# Reboot if NVIDIA drivers installed
sudo ./scripts/deploy-homelab.sh    # Deploy core+infrastructure stacks, open Dockge

Managing Services via Scripts

• setup-homelab.sh: Idempotent system preparation (skips completed steps, runs on bare Debian)
  • Steps: Update system → Install Docker → Configure firewall → Generate Authelia secrets → Create directories/networks → NVIDIA driver detection
  • Auto-generates: JWT secret (64 hex), session secret (64 hex), encryption key (64 hex), admin password hash
  • Creates homelab-network and traefik-network Docker networks
• deploy-homelab.sh: Automated stack deployment (requires .env configured first)
  • Steps: Validate prerequisites → Create directories → Deploy core → Deploy infrastructure → Deploy dashboards → Prepare additional stacks → Wait for Dockge
  • Copies .env to /opt/stacks/core/.env and /opt/stacks/infrastructure/.env
  • Waits for service health checks before proceeding

Testing Changes

# Test in isolation before modifying stacks
docker run --rm --gpus all nvidia/cuda:12.0.0-base-ubuntu22.04 nvidia-smi  # GPU test
docker compose -f docker-compose.yml config  # Validate YAML syntax
docker compose -f docker-compose.yml up -d SERVICE  # Deploy single service
docker compose logs -f SERVICE  # Monitor logs

Common Operations

cd /opt/stacks/STACK_NAME
docker compose up -d              # Start stack
docker compose restart SERVICE    # Restart service
docker compose logs -f SERVICE    # Tail logs
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d  # Update images

Creating a New Docker Service

Creating a New Docker Service

Service Definition Template

services:
  service-name:
    image: linuxserver/service:latest  # Pin versions in production; prefer LinuxServer.io
    container_name: service-name
    restart: unless-stopped
    networks:
      - traefik-network
    volumes:
      - ./service-name/config:/config    # Config in stack directory
      - service-data:/data               # Named volume for persistent data
      # Large data on separate drives:
      # - /mnt/media:/media
      # - /mnt/downloads:/downloads
    environment:
      - PUID=${PUID:-1000}
      - PGID=${PGID:-1000}
      - TZ=${TZ}
    labels:
      - "traefik.enable=true"
      - "traefik.http.routers.service-name.rule=Host(`service.${DOMAIN}`)"
      - "traefik.http.routers.service-name.entrypoints=websecure"
      - "traefik.http.routers.service-name.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
      - "traefik.http.routers.service-name.middlewares=authelia@docker"  # SSO enabled by default
      - "traefik.http.services.service-name.loadbalancer.server.port=8080"  # If non-standard port
      - "homelab.category=category-name"
      - "homelab.description=Service description"

volumes:
  service-data:
    driver: local

networks:
  traefik-network:
    external: true

VPN-Routed Service (Downloads)

Route through Gluetun for VPN protection:

services:
  # Gluetun already running in core stack
  
  qbittorrent:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/qbittorrent:latest
    container_name: qbittorrent
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"  # Routes through VPN
    depends_on:
      - gluetun
    volumes:
      - ./qbittorrent/config:/config
      - /mnt/downloads:/downloads
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=${TZ}
    # No ports needed - mapped in Gluetun service
    # No Traefik labels - access via Gluetun's network

Add ports to Gluetun in core stack:

gluetun:
  ports:
    - 8080:8080  # qBittorrent WebUI

Authelia Bypass Example (Jellyfin)

labels:
  - "traefik.enable=true"
  - "traefik.http.routers.jellyfin.rule=Host(`jellyfin.${DOMAIN}`)"
  - "traefik.http.routers.jellyfin.entrypoints=websecure"
  - "traefik.http.routers.jellyfin.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
  # NO authelia middleware - direct access for apps/devices

Modifying Existing Services

Modifying Existing Services

Safe Modification Process

1. Read entire compose file - understand dependencies (networks, volumes, depends_on)
2. Check for impacts - search for service references across other compose files
3. Validate YAML - docker compose config before deploying
4. Test in place - restart single service: docker compose up -d SERVICE
5. Monitor logs - docker compose logs -f SERVICE to verify functionality

Common Modifications

• Toggle SSO: Comment/uncomment middlewares=authelia@docker label
• Change port: Update loadbalancer.server.port label
• Add VPN routing: Change to network_mode: "service:gluetun", map ports in Gluetun
• Update subdomain: Modify Host() rule in Traefik labels
• Environment changes: Update in .env, redeploy: docker compose up -d

Project-Specific Conventions

Why Traefik vs Nginx Proxy Manager

• File-based configuration: AI can modify labels/YAML directly (no web UI clicks)
• Docker label discovery: Services auto-register routes when deployed
• Let's Encrypt automation: Wildcard cert via DuckDNS DNS challenge (single cert for all services)
• Dynamic reloading: Changes apply without container restarts

Authelia Password Generation

Secrets auto-generated by setup-homelab.sh:

• JWT secret: openssl rand -hex 64
• Session secret: openssl rand -hex 64
• Encryption key: openssl rand -hex 64
• Admin password: Hashed with docker run authelia/authelia:latest authelia crypto hash generate argon2
• Stored in .env file, never committed to git

DuckDNS Wildcard Certificate

• Single certificate: *.yourdomain.duckdns.org covers all subdomains
• DNS challenge: Traefik uses DuckDNS token for Let's Encrypt validation
• Certificate storage: /opt/stacks/core/traefik/acme.json (600 permissions)
• Renewal: Traefik handles automatically (90-day Let's Encrypt certs)
• Usage: Services use tls.certresolver=letsencrypt label (no per-service cert requests)

Homepage Dashboard AI Configuration

Homepage (/opt/stacks/dashboards/) uses dynamic variable replacement:

• Services configured in homepage/config/services.yaml
• URLs use ${DOMAIN} variable replaced at runtime
• AI can add/remove service entries by editing YAML
• Bookmarks, widgets configured similarly in separate YAML files

Key Documentation References

• Getting Started: Step-by-step deployment guide
• Docker Guidelines: Comprehensive service management patterns (1000+ lines)
• Services Reference: All 60+ pre-configured services
• Proxying External Hosts: Traefik file provider patterns for non-Docker services
• Quick Reference: Command cheat sheet and troubleshooting

Pre-Deployment Safety Checks

Before deploying any service changes:

• YAML syntax valid (docker compose config)
• No port conflicts (check docker ps --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Ports}}")
• Networks exist (docker network ls | grep -E 'traefik-network|homelab-network')
• Volume paths correct (/opt/stacks/ for configs, /mnt/ for large data)
• .env variables populated (source stack .env and check echo $DOMAIN)
• Traefik labels complete (enable, rule, entrypoint, tls, middleware)
• SSO appropriate (default enabled, bypass only for Plex/Jellyfin)
• VPN routing configured if download service (network_mode + Gluetun ports)
• LinuxServer.io image available (check hub.docker.com/u/linuxserver)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Service Won't Start

docker compose logs SERVICE  # Check error messages
docker compose config        # Validate YAML syntax
docker ps -a | grep SERVICE  # Check exit code

Common causes: Port conflict, missing .env variable, network not found, volume permission denied

Traefik Not Routing

docker logs traefik | grep SERVICE  # Check if route registered
curl -k https://traefik.${DOMAIN}/api/http/routers  # Inspect routes (if API enabled)

Verify: Service on traefik-network, labels correctly formatted, traefik.enable=true, Traefik restarted after label changes

Authelia SSO Not Prompting

Check middleware: docker compose config | grep -A5 SERVICE | grep authelia Verify: Authelia container running, middleware label present, no bypass rule in authelia/configuration.yml

VPN Not Working (Gluetun)

docker exec gluetun sh -c "curl -s ifconfig.me"  # Check VPN IP
docker logs gluetun | grep -i wireguard           # Verify connection

Verify: SURFSHARK_PRIVATE_KEY set in .env, service using network_mode: "service:gluetun", ports mapped in Gluetun

Wildcard Certificate Issues

docker logs traefik | grep -i certificate
ls -lh /opt/stacks/core/traefik/acme.json  # Should be 600 permissions

Verify: DuckDNS token valid, DUCKDNS_TOKEN in .env, DNS propagation (wait 2-5 min), acme.json writable by Traefik

AI Management Capabilities

You can manage this homelab by:

• Creating services: Generate compose files in /opt/stacks/ with proper Traefik labels
• Modifying routes: Edit Traefik labels in compose files
• Managing external hosts: Update /opt/stacks/core/traefik/dynamic/external.yml
• Configuring Homepage: Edit services.yaml, bookmarks.yaml in homepage config
• Toggling SSO: Add/remove Authelia middleware labels
• Adding VPN routing: Change network_mode and update Gluetun ports
• Environment management: Update .env (but remind users to manually copy to stacks)

What NOT to Do

• Never commit .env files to git (contain secrets)
• Don't use docker run for persistent services (use compose in /opt/stacks/)
• Don't manually request Let's Encrypt certs (Traefik handles via wildcard)
• Don't edit Authelia/Traefik config via web UI (use YAML files)
• Don't expose download clients without VPN (route through Gluetun)

Quick Command Reference

# View all running containers
docker ps --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Ports}}"

# Check service logs
cd /opt/stacks/STACK && docker compose logs -f SERVICE

# Restart specific service
cd /opt/stacks/STACK && docker compose restart SERVICE

# Update images and redeploy
cd /opt/stacks/STACK && docker compose pull && docker compose up -d

# Validate compose file
docker compose -f /opt/stacks/STACK/docker-compose.yml config

# Check Traefik routes
docker logs traefik | grep -i "Creating router\|Adding route"

# Check network connectivity
docker exec SERVICE ping -c 2 traefik

# View environment variables
cd /opt/stacks/STACK && docker compose config | grep -A20 "environment:"

# Test NVIDIA GPU access
docker run --rm --gpus all nvidia/cuda:12.0.0-base-ubuntu22.04 nvidia-smi

User Context Notes

• User: kelin (PUID=1000, PGID=1000)
• Repository: /home/kelin/AI-Homelab/
• Testing Phase: Round 6+ (focus on reliability, error handling, deployment robustness)
• Recent work: Script automation, idempotent setup, health checks, automated secret generation

When interacting with users, prioritize security (SSO by default), consistency (follow existing patterns), and stack-awareness (consider service dependencies). Always explain the "why" behind architectural decisions and reference specific files/paths when describing changes.