Created by Sean Dolman
SmallGrid documents practical home-server work carried out on real hardware, including Ubuntu Server, Docker, Jellyfin, Sonarr, Radarr, qBittorrent, MergerFS storage, Tailscale, mini PCs, and backup and recovery workflows.
Useful before publishable
A guide should solve a defined problem, explain why the steps work, show commands or checks where useful, identify risks, and link to related troubleshooting. Articles are updated when the setup, software, or evidence changes.
How guides are tested
The SmallGrid testing method
- Start with a specific real-world problem or build objective.
- Verify commands, paths, services, permissions, and expected results on an appropriate test system.
- Record failure points and recovery steps instead of showing only the successful path.
- Prefer direct checks such as logs, service status, mount information, permissions, playback details, power measurements, and restore tests.
- Separate tested facts from recommendations and clearly explain trade-offs.
- Review and update guides when software versions, hardware behaviour, or recommended practices change.
Why the site exists
Home labs are useful, but beginner advice can get complicated very quickly. A simple goal like “run Jellyfin at home” can turn into a maze of operating systems, containers, hardware transcoding, permissions, DNS, remote access, storage, backups, and security choices.
SmallGrid exists to make that path less messy. The guides are written around the problems people actually hit: Jellyfin cannot see a folder, a server uses more power than expected, remote access feels risky, backups exist but have never been restored, or a simple update suddenly feels more dramatic than it should.
The preferred answer is usually the boring one: fewer moving parts, sensible defaults, clear notes, tested backups, and no public exposure unless there is a good reason.
What you’ll find here
Jellyfin and media servers
Low-power Jellyfin setups, folder permissions, direct play, transcoding, client choices, and safer remote access.
Mini PC home labs
Budget-friendly hardware choices, power usage, storage options, noise, and realistic upgrade paths.
Backups and recovery
Backup routines, restore testing, snapshots versus backups, and simple recovery planning.
Safe self-hosting
Private networking, Tailscale-first remote access, cautious updates, and services that stay maintainable.
Build the basics first
Follow the simple path: hardware, one useful service, backups, private access, and measured power usage.
Open Start Here →Realistic progress notes
The Homelab Journal tracks realistic setup work over time, including mistakes, fixes, measurements, and useful lessons.
Read the Journal →Corrections are welcome
Technical guidance should be correct and reproducible. Use the contact page to report a broken command, unclear step, outdated recommendation, or accessibility problem.
Contact SmallGrid →Advertising and recommendations
SmallGrid may include clearly labelled advertising or recommendation links to help cover basic running costs. Editorial decisions are made independently, and the guidance should remain useful even when every advert or recommendation is ignored.
For privacy and cookie details, see the Privacy Notice and Cookies page.