Localhavenself-host safety
Update your home server without losing a weekend
Tested tools for one job: changing a self-hosted setup and being able to go back. Every verdict and tool here was run on throw-away test machines first - 19 update verdicts for 6 apps so far. Most of it is free.
1 · before you update
Know if the new version was tested
Free verdicts for Nextcloud, Immich, Jellyfin, n8n, Vaultwarden and Home Assistant - also as JSON for scripts and AI agents. Supporters get each verdict right after the test.
Update Watch
Tested verdicts: is the new Nextcloud, Immich, Jellyfin, n8n, Vaultwarden or Home Assistant safe to update?
Update Watch Supporter
Tested 'is it safe to update?' verdicts by e-mail right after the test, with the restore steps.
ask-before-pull agent skill
Lets an AI coding agent look up the tested verdict before a pull - read-only, never updates anything.
2 · when you update
Keep a way back
A consistent snapshot right before the update, and a restore that puts the data AND the old image back. For agents: skills that back up first and prove backups by restoring them.
safe-update
Snapshot before a docker compose update - restore data AND image if it goes wrong.
Safe Homelab Ops PRO
14 agent skills + a command guard for Claude Code on a home server: safe updates, backups, restores.
safe-homelab-ops skills
Eight free Agent Skills: rollback first, restore drills, reboot tests, no printed secrets.
3 · n8n 3.0
Move before 3.0 moves you
n8n 3.0 drops npm/npx installs and changes defaults. Check first, move on the same version, then upgrade a copy.
n8n 3.0 check
Is your npm n8n ready for 3.0? A read-only report of blockers and what the move involves.
n8n 3.0 Move Kit
Move an npm n8n to Docker on the same version - every workflow and credential checked, one-command rollback.
LAUNCH40 40 % off at checkout until 13 Oct 23:59 (Athens)
n8n on Railway (template)
n8n in queue mode on Railway: pinned tested version, owner from variables, 3.0 defaults. Deploy link carries our referral code (you get USD 20 credit).
4 · other tested checks
Small checks that save a bad day
Read-only checks and free guides from real failures we reproduced on test machines.
Raspberry Pi update check
Is your Pi on an old OS release? A read-only check and what to do next.
Feed Rescue
Reddit RSS stops on 13 Nov: paste your OPML, get open-web feeds for the same topics.
Watchtower alternatives 2026
Watchtower is archived: what WUD, Diun, Tugtainer, Komodo, Dockge and Portainer do - and which test updates first.
Made with AI assistance and tested by us on throw-away machines. A tested scenario is not a guarantee for your setup - read the release notes and keep backups. Paid items are sold on Gumroad; the Railway link carries our referral code. Not affiliated with the projects named here.