How self-hosting works on a Mac
In the self-hosted preview, a Mac stores the household records and serves the apps on your network. A remote AI provider can still receive a question and the records needed to answer it. Public downloads are not available yet.
What you need
A Mac that can stay on, protected local storage, and a current supported server setup. The application uses a web API, a database, and a bounded Go agent process. The iPhone and Mac apps connect to the same service. Signing, installation paths, and network credentials are owner setup steps.
You can use an external model provider without running a large model on the Mac. If you choose local inference, the required memory and speed depend on your selected model. Lumstead does not promise that every model will run on every Mac.
Start the local service.
Use the repository’s setup instructions and example environment file. Store credentials in the private environment, never in source control. Keep the service bound to loopback during development.
Create your family space.
Open the web app, sign in through the configured account flow, and name your household. Use only synthetic information while development email sign-in is active.
Choose the model connection.
Bring an OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, or supported Z.ai API key. Or select an installed Ollama model. The server owner sets its address. Check the connection before you start a chat.
Connect your daily apps.
Create a one-use device pairing code in Connections. Enter your server address and code in the iPhone or Mac app. Each paired device keeps its own signing key.
Protect access and backups.
Use HTTPS for access beyond loopback. Configure your private remote network for access away from home. Do not forward a public router port. Back up the database and protect the backup’s secrets.
Direct home connections
Supported device adapters talk directly to your home devices. They do not require Home Assistant. Pairing and calibration still depend on the hardware and its protocol. An unavailable device stays unavailable; Lumstead does not treat a sent command as physical confirmation.
A hosted installation cannot discover private LAN devices by itself. A local connector would be required. It is not included yet; use a local deployment for device control.
Does self-hosting stop all data from leaving home?
Only if every selected connection is local. Remote model providers, film catalog services, and other connected services receive the data needed for their calls. Review each connection.
Can I use local executable add-ons?
An administrator can install trusted local code. Such code runs with the server account’s rights and is not a security sandbox. Hosted accounts cannot upload arbitrary executables.
Does Lumstead replace my backup system?
No. You manage local disk protection, backups, updates, and remote access. Keep a backup on separate encrypted storage and check your restore procedure.