EZ-Homelab/wiki/service-docs/nextcloud.md

Nextcloud - Private Cloud Storage

Table of Contents

• Overview
• What is Nextcloud?
• Why Use Nextcloud?
• Configuration in AI-Homelab
• Official Resources
• Docker Configuration
• Setup
• Apps
• Troubleshooting

Overview

Category: File Storage & Collaboration
Docker Image: nextcloud
Default Stack: productivity.yml
Web UI: https://nextcloud.${DOMAIN} or http://SERVER_IP:8081
Database: MariaDB (separate container)
Ports: 8081

What is Nextcloud?

Nextcloud is a self-hosted alternative to Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365. It provides file sync/share, calendar, contacts, office documents, video calls, and 200+ apps - all hosted on your own server with complete privacy.

Key Features

• File Sync & Share: Like Dropbox
• Calendar & Contacts: Sync across devices
• Office Suite: Collaborative document editing
• Photos: Google Photos alternative
• Video Calls: Built-in Talk
• Notes: Markdown notes
• Tasks: Todo lists
• 200+ Apps: Extensible platform
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android
• Desktop Sync: Windows, Mac, Linux
• E2E Encryption: End-to-end encryption
• Free & Open Source: No subscriptions

Why Use Nextcloud?

1. Privacy: Your data, your server
2. No Limits: Unlimited storage (your disk)
3. No Subscriptions: $0/month forever
4. All-in-One: Files, calendar, contacts, office
5. Sync Everything: Desktop and mobile apps
6. Extensible: Hundreds of apps
7. Collaboration: Share with family/team
8. Standards: CalDAV, CardDAV, WebDAV

Configuration in AI-Homelab

Directory Structure

/opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud/
  html/               # Nextcloud installation
  data/              # User files
  config/            # Configuration
  apps/              # Installed apps

/opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud-db/
  data/              # MariaDB database

Environment Variables

# Nextcloud
MYSQL_HOST=nextcloud-db
MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
MYSQL_PASSWORD=secure_password
NEXTCLOUD_TRUSTED_DOMAINS=nextcloud.yourdomain.com

# MariaDB
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=root_password
MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
MYSQL_PASSWORD=secure_password

Official Resources

• Website: https://nextcloud.com
• Documentation: https://docs.nextcloud.com
• Apps: https://apps.nextcloud.com
• Community: https://help.nextcloud.com

Docker Configuration

nextcloud-db:
  image: mariadb:latest
  container_name: nextcloud-db
  restart: unless-stopped
  networks:
    - traefik-network
  environment:
    - MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=${MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD}
    - MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
    - MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
    - MYSQL_PASSWORD=${MYSQL_PASSWORD}
  volumes:
    - /opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud-db/data:/var/lib/mysql
  command: --transaction-isolation=READ-COMMITTED --binlog-format=ROW

nextcloud:
  image: nextcloud:latest
  container_name: nextcloud
  restart: unless-stopped
  networks:
    - traefik-network
  ports:
    - "8081:80"
  environment:
    - MYSQL_HOST=nextcloud-db
    - MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
    - MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
    - MYSQL_PASSWORD=${MYSQL_PASSWORD}
    - NEXTCLOUD_TRUSTED_DOMAINS=nextcloud.${DOMAIN}
  volumes:
    - /opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud/html:/var/www/html
    - /opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud/data:/var/www/html/data
    - /opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud/config:/var/www/html/config
    - /opt/stacks/productivity/nextcloud/apps:/var/www/html/custom_apps
  depends_on:
    - nextcloud-db
  labels:
    - "traefik.enable=true"
    - "traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.rule=Host(`nextcloud.${DOMAIN}`)"
    - "traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.entrypoints=websecure"
    - "traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
    - "traefik.http.services.nextcloud.loadbalancer.server.port=80"

Setup

1. Start Containers:

   docker compose up -d nextcloud-db nextcloud
   

2. Wait for DB Initialization:

   docker logs nextcloud-db -f
   # Wait for "mysqld: ready for connections"
   

3. Access UI: http://SERVER_IP:8081

4. Create Admin Account:

   • Username: admin
   • Password: Strong password
   • Click "Install"

5. Initial Configuration:

   • Skip recommended apps (install later)
   • Allow data folder location

6. Fix Trusted Domains (if external access):

   docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ config:system:set trusted_domains 1 --value=nextcloud.yourdomain.com
   

Apps

Essential Apps

Files:

• Photos: Google Photos alternative with face recognition
• Files Automated Tagging: Auto-tag files
• External Storage: Connect other storage

Productivity:

• Calendar: CalDAV calendar sync
• Contacts: CardDAV contact sync
• Tasks: Todo list with CalDAV sync
• Deck: Kanban boards
• Notes: Markdown notes

Office:

• Nextcloud Office: Collaborative documents (based on Collabora)
• OnlyOffice: Alternative office suite

Communication:

• Talk: Video calls and chat
• Mail: Email client

Media:

• Music: Music player and library
• News: RSS reader

Installing Apps

Method 1: UI

1. Apps menu (top right)
2. Browse or search
3. Download and enable

Method 2: Command Line

docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ app:install photos
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ app:enable photos

Troubleshooting

Can't Access After Setup

# Add trusted domain
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ config:system:set trusted_domains 1 --value=SERVER_IP

# Or edit config
docker exec -it nextcloud nano /var/www/html/config/config.php
# Add to 'trusted_domains' array

Security Warnings

# Run maintenance mode
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:mode --on

# Clear cache
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:repair

# Update htaccess
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:update:htaccess

# Exit maintenance
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:mode --off

Slow Performance

# Enable caching
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ config:system:set memcache.local --value='\\OC\\Memcache\\APCu'

# Run background jobs via cron
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ background:cron

Missing Indices

# Add missing database indices
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ db:add-missing-indices

# Convert to bigint (for large instances)
docker exec -it --user www-data nextcloud php occ db:convert-filecache-bigint

Summary

Nextcloud is your private cloud offering:

• File sync and sharing
• Calendar and contacts sync
• Collaborative office suite
• Photo management
• Video calls
• 200+ apps
• Mobile and desktop clients
• Complete privacy
• Free and open-source

Perfect for:

• Replacing Google Drive/Dropbox
• Family file sharing
• Photo backup
• Calendar/contact sync
• Team collaboration
• Privacy-conscious users

Key Points:

• Requires MariaDB database
• 2GB RAM minimum
• Desktop sync clients available
• Mobile apps for iOS/Android
• CalDAV/CardDAV standards
• Enable caching for performance
• Regular backups important

Remember:

• Configure trusted domains
• Enable recommended apps
• Setup desktop sync client
• Mobile apps for phone backup
• Regular database maintenance
• Keep updated for security

Nextcloud puts you in control of your data!