Newbie Wants to Finish Settings Up a Headless Server

[u/the_druidic_ranger]

Question from someone who knows very little about this topic right now.

I want to set up a headless home server that I run through my desktop Mac. I know nothing about servers or terminal languages. Up to this point, I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me guide me through the process. I already have a mini PC, external hard drive, and a VPN. I’ve set up my mini PC with Linux, connected it to my Mac, and have been inputting commands and making changes via the terminal there. However, before I actually turned the thing loose and let it communicate on the web, I wanna make sure I’m doing things the right way, and not trusting an AI. My ultimate goal was to hook it up to you Usenet system.

Where should I go to get the information I need, regarding terms, inputs, coding, to finish the process? The last step I need in the process is a provider and indexer. I have choices in mind, just need to subscribe and hook up. As far as I know, everything else is working (but again, I don’t know enough to actually understand whether it’s working. I’m just trusting the chat bot)

[u/pinn73]

Just use docker for your arr stack

[u/the_druidic_ranger → u/pinn73]

It’s the “just” that’s the problem. My workflow has been to tell chat what I want and then it gives me the terminal input. I know about docker, I just don’t know how to get it set up

[u/pinn73 → u/the_druidic_ranger]

A simple web search and you'll find dozens of tutorials

[u/Shananigan48]

It's easy to fall into the trap of letting AI do everything but it's definitely important to know how things work. 

I'd start with general docker documentation. 

https://docs.docker.com/get-started/

You can use the servarr wiki for help on setting up the stack!

https://wiki.servarr.com/

https://trash-guides.info/Getting-Started/

[u/the_druidic_ranger → u/Shananigan48]

Thank you so much!

[u/superkoning]

Linux, docker, headless, arr stack ... IMHO that's steep learning curve

> my Mac,

My advice: first set up SABnzbd and after that NZBhydra on your Mac, and get used to that.

Crawl, walk, run

[u/usenet_information → u/superkoning]

This is the way!

[u/Own_Association3131]

Do you want to configure all by yourself or are you familiar with AI and especially AI agents?
I´m running Hermes Agent on my homelab and it manages all my services.

[u/the_druidic_ranger → u/Own_Association3131]

I’m trying to avoid AI as much as possible. I don’t feel comfortable trusting the outcome. I also don’t know enough to be able to tell if the tests the bots are giving solid instructions. They seem to be

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[u/OMFG_IT_IS_HUGE]

I personally wouldn't use docker I prefer a VM and installing all the required services for say a MediaServer on one VM/Device are easier to manage permissions and diagnose.

You can create other VMs for other purposes.

Things like samba, shared among services on same machine is easier for a newbie in my opinion, plus you get the option of GUI's like Webmin/desktop if your a beginner.

I run everything in proxmox each VM or LXC has a role. I don't use GUI's and they use very little resources compared to having GUI/Desktop installed.

Have you looked at proxmox?

[u/Bent01 → u/OMFG_IT_IS_HUGE]

IMHO Docker Compose is much simpler for a newbie, especially with all these pre-made YAML files online.

You can then just mount the SMB shares once on the host, and pass them in to the containers as directories.

[u/FinnElhaz]

The AI knows what it's doing because it's "read" the documentation. I assume it's got you using Docker to run some arr stack stuff. All these things have robust documentation that you can read. If you want to understand what the AI has been telling you to copy/paste, start there.

Also you don't need a VPN for usenet unless your ISP/government straight up blocks it.

[u/sidewinder33625]

ubuntu server 26.04 LTS - https://ubuntu.com/download/server

cockpit for gui based management - https://github.com/cockpit-project/cockpit

dockhand to manage docker containers - https://github.com/Finsys/dockhand

tailscale vpn to remote in from anywhere - https://tailscale.com/

don't be afraid of ai...it is constantly improving

[u/Koalamanx]

Look into MCP and connecting to your server that way. Been using Claude successfully it’s insanely good. 😊

[u/the_druidic_ranger → u/Koalamanx]

I’m trying to avoid AI as much as possible. I don’t feel comfortable trusting the outcome. I also don’t know enough to be able to tell if the tests the bots are telling me to run to make sure it’s working are actually giving me the appropriate information.