HeyPuter/puter - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/HeyPuter/puter
• Stars: 35629

2. Project Description#

HeyPuter/puter is an ambitious open-source project that bills itself as “The Internet OS.” It provides a free, self-hostable operating system environment that runs directly in your web browser. By combining the familiarity of a traditional desktop interface with modern web technologies, Puter offers a versatile platform for application deployment, file management, and collaborative work—all accessible from any device with a browser. Its architecture emphasizes privacy, user control, and extensibility, making it an attractive alternative to proprietary cloud-based solutions.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

Puter can serve as a replacement for several types of software, including:

• Cloud Storage & Collaboration Platforms: Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
• Remote Desktop & VDI Solutions: Windows Remote Desktop, Citrix Virtual Apps.
• Web-Based IDEs & Development Environments: CodeSandbox, Glitch, and Replit.
• Productivity Suites: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for basic document editing and collaboration.

4. Core Functionality#

Puter’s core functionality revolves around providing a comprehensive, browser-based operating system experience. Key features include:

• File Management: A graphical file explorer supporting uploads, downloads, and organization.
• App Ecosystem: Built-in applications such as a text editor, image viewer, and terminal, with support for third-party app integration.
• Multi-Tasking: Window management, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously.
• Self-Hosting & Customization: Full control over deployment, data storage, and UI/UX modifications.
• Collaboration Tools: Real-time document editing and file sharing capabilities.
• Extensibility: APIs and SDKs for developers to build and integrate custom apps.

5. Pros and Cons#

Pros:

• Open Source & Free: No licensing costs, with full access to the source code.
• Self-Hostable: Users retain complete control over their data and infrastructure.
• Cross-Platform: Runs on any device with a modern web browser.
• Extensible: Developers can create and integrate custom applications easily.
• Active Community: Strong GitHub presence with frequent updates and contributions.

Cons:

• Self-Hosting Complexity: Requires technical knowledge to deploy and maintain.
• Limited Native App Performance: Heavier applications may not perform as well as native desktop software.
• Early Stage: Some features may still be in development or lack polish compared to commercial alternatives.
• Dependency on Browser: Performance and compatibility can vary across different browsers.

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-Host)#

This guide will walk you through deploying Puter on an Ubuntu 22.04 LTS server. The process uses Docker for simplified dependency management.

Prerequisites:

• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS server with a non-root sudo user.
• Docker and Docker Compose installed.
• Basic familiarity with the command line.

Step 1: Update System and Install Docker

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
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sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
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sudo systemctl enable docker --now

Step 2: Clone the Repository

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git clone https://github.com/HeyPuter/puter.git
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cd puter

Step 3: Configure Environment Variables Create a .env file in the project root and customize the following variables (adjust as needed):

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PORT=3000
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DB_PATH=./data/db

Step 4: Build and Start with Docker Compose Run the following command to build and start the services:

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docker-compose up -d

Step 5: Verify Deployment Check if the container is running:

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docker ps

Access Puter by navigating to http://your-server-ip:3000 in your web browser.

Step 6: (Optional) Set Up Reverse Proxy with Nginx For production use, set up Nginx as a reverse proxy:

1. Install Nginx:

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   sudo apt install nginx -y
   

2. Create a new configuration file at /etc/nginx/sites-available/puter:

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   server {
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       listen 80;
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       server_name your-domain.com;
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       location / {
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           proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
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           proxy_set_header Host $host;
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           proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
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       }
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   }
   

3. Enable the configuration and restart Nginx:

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   sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/puter /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
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   sudo nginx -t && sudo systemctl restart nginx
   

Your self-hosted Puter instance is now live and accessible! For further customization, refer to the official documentation.