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Self-Hosting
Urbit is designed to be run by its users. Self-hosting is the way to get the most complete Urbit experience, giving you full control over your personal server.
While Urbit aims to be as simple as caring for a cactus, it does come with the responsibility of knowing how to boot, run, and maintain your instance. Choose from multiple self-hosting options below based on your technical comfort level and requirements.
Command Line
The most fundamental way to run urbit is from the command line of a Unix-like host operating system. If you are comfortable running a few commands in your computer's terminal, you can get up and running with your own self-hosted urbit in minutes without the need for additional hardware or subscription services.
You will need to get an Urbit ID, or start with a free, ephemeral comet identity, but starting on the command line will help you understand the core basics of running urbit.
Native Planet
Native Planet hardware devices are our recommended way of running your urbit. Specifically optimized for running Urbit OS, they come preloaded with Groundseg, an open source software program designed for running and managing Urbit nodes.
Along with their Startram service, running your urbit on a Native Planet device gives you the ideal balance of local control of data, low maintenance operation, and streamlined remote access. You can even get started on the command line today, and then easily import your urbit when your device arrives.
Cloud Server
Your urbit is intended to run as a 'personal server': an always-on networked computer. One way to do this is to offload the task of running hardware while you manage the software and retain cryptographic control over your urbit's self-sovereign identity.
Running urbit in a datacenter offers benefits around remote access, network reliability, and protections against power failures. If you are already familiar with running cloud services, running urbit is easier then just about anything else out there—and wildly more portable.
Hosting Providers
Some users prefer not to take on the technical burden of self-hosting.
Third-party hosting providers can run your Urbit on your behalf while still maintaining many of the ownership characteristics that make Urbit yours. This stands in stark contrast to legacy cloud software where you never truly own your data or identity.
Tlon Hosting
Tlon Corporation offers free and seamless hosting for your urbit with specific care taken towards a smooth onboarding experience to Tlon Messenger, Urbit's most widely used application.
If you are looking to get on the network and have Tlon host your urbit ship, their mobile friendly onboarding flow takes seconds and allows you to sign up with a phone number or email—no need to deal with crypto wallets until you are ready.
Go Deeper
Once you're up and running on Urbit, there's a whole world to explore. Learn about the underlying architecture, discover applications being built on the network, and become part of the community building the future of personal computing.
Whether you're interested in using Urbit for communication, development, or just exploring a new paradigm of computing, there are resources and communities ready to help you on your journey.