Homebutler

Homebutler is a server operations tool that tracks configuration changes and reports significant differences over time.

Homebutler is a small operations toolkit designed for homelabs and remote servers. It operates as a single Go binary or container, connecting over SSH without requiring a persistent daemon or database. The tool remembers previous server states and highlights noteworthy changes such as container replacements, image updates, and port reassignments. It provides inventory mapping, doctor checks, backup verification, configuration validation, and app deployments. The software supports CLI commands, JSON output, web dashboards, and model context protocol integration for AI agents.

Homebutler at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: Web, CLI, API, self-hosted, open source
Pricing: Free
Released: March 2026
Category: AI coding tool
Website: github.com/higangssh/homebutler

Key features

Install self-hosted apps with automated compose file generation
Map server containers, exposed ports, and service topology
Run doctor checks for resource pressure and stopped containers
Track server state changes and container modifications
Verify backup restoration inside isolated containers
Inspect Proxmox cluster nodes, guests, and storage
Export server inventory as Mermaid diagrams

Use it for

Identify what changed on a server since the last snapshot
Inspect server status and container health without a full shell session
Deploy self-hosted applications with a single command
Verify backup integrity by test booting archives

Alternatives to Homebutler

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Hlock — Pins entire AI agent setups into a portable file to share and run anywhere.
Firefighter — Continuously patches your server without human intervention.
Unspin — Shows live progress, step names, and ETAs for coding agent shell commands instead of a spinner.
Hyperprobe — Captures live production data without requiring code changes or redeploys.
Hyrax — Six specialized agents evaluate every repository from a shared codebase map.
Brutus — It stops individual subprocesses instead of killing entire parent processes.
DeployRamp — Automates feature flag wrapping, rollout monitoring, and cleanup for code.
Brod — Lets AI agents deploy and host internal team tools directly over MCP.

All Homebutler alternatives