A Quick Guide to Setting Up the Homer Dashboard in a Docker Container

The Homer dashboard is a simple, customizable, and self-hosted dashboard that allows users to centralize their most frequently used links, services, and tools in one place. It’s especially useful for those who manage a homelab or multiple services. Here’s a quick guide on how to set it up using Docker:

1. Deploying the Homer Dashboard with Docker:

To deploy the Homer dashboard using Docker, use the following command:

docker run -d --restart always --name homer -p 8090:8080 -v homer_data:/www/assets --restart=always b4bz/homer:latest

2. Customizing the Homepage with config.yml:

Homer allows for easy customization of its homepage through the config.yml file. Here’s how you can make it your own:

• Using Icons: For a personalized touch, you can use icons as logos for your dashboard. Homer defaults to using icons from Font Awesome, making it easy to find and implement your preferred icons.
• Adding Links to the Navigation Bar: Centralize your most-used internet links in the navigation bar. Here’s a sample configuration:

links:
  - name: "Google"
    icon: "fab fa-google"
    url: "https://google.com"
    target: "_blank"
  ...

• Organizing Services and Devices: Under the services section, you can categorize and list down links to your devices and services. Here’s how you can structure it:

services:
  - name: "Network"
    icon: "fas fa-network-wired"
    items:
      - name: "pfSense"
        icon: "fas fa-fire"
        subtitle: "pfSense firewall"
        tag: "network"
        url: "https://192.168.0.1/"
        target: "_blank"
  ...

3. Editing the config.yml File:

To customize your dashboard, you’ll need to edit the config.yml file. Here’s how:

• Using Linux: Navigate to the directory containing the config.yml file and make a backup before editing:

sudo su
cd /var/lib/docker/volumes/homer_data/_data
cp config.yml config.old
vi config.yml

• Using Docker: Access the container and navigate to the directory containing the config.yml file. Again, make sure to backup the file before making changes:

docker exec -it homer /bin/sh
cd assets
cp config.yml config.old
vi config.yml

4. Why Use the Homer Dashboard?

The Homer dashboard is not just about aesthetics. It provides a centralized location to access the homepages of your homelab devices. Plus, with features like dark mode, tags, and search functionality, it enhances the user experience, making navigation smoother and more intuitive.

In conclusion, the Homer dashboard is a must-have for anyone looking to organize their digital workspace. With its easy setup and customization options, it’s a tool that can adapt to any user’s needs.