Remember that feeling of opening ten different browser tabs just to check on your self-hosted services? Or digging through Portainer to restart a single container? If you're nodding along, you're not alone. The self-hosting community has been chasing the perfect dashboard for years—a single pane of glass that actually gives you control, not just pretty icons.
Back in 2025, a Reddit post in r/selfhosted caught fire with 778 upvotes. Someone had cracked the code. They'd taken gethomepage and transformed it from a simple service launcher into a genuine control center with Docker container controls and Authentik integration. The community went wild. People wanted to know how. They wanted those custom stop/restart buttons. They wanted that seamless logout functionality.
Well, fast forward to 2026, and those techniques have evolved. What started as clever hacks are now established best practices. In this guide, I'll walk you through building your own ultimate homepage dashboard—not just replicating what worked then, but building something even better for today's needs. I've tested dozens of these setups across different environments, and I'll share what actually works in practice, not just in theory.
Why Your Current Dashboard Probably Isn't Cutting It
Let's be honest here. Most dashboard solutions out there are glorified bookmark collections. They look pretty—sure. You get nice icons, maybe some status indicators. But when you actually need to do something? You're back to opening separate interfaces, logging in again, navigating through menus. It defeats the whole purpose.
The original Reddit poster nailed it with their Docker container controls. Think about it: how many times have you needed to quickly restart a service that's acting up? With a traditional setup, you'd open Portainer (or your Docker management tool of choice), find the container, click through to its details, then hit restart. That's at least four clicks and a page load or two. With integrated controls? One click from your dashboard. Done.
And the Authentik integration? That's about security and convenience. Single sign-on is great until you need to log out everywhere. A centralized logout button that actually works across your services? That's the kind of polish that separates a hobby project from a professional setup.
The truth is, your dashboard should save you time, not just look good. If you're still jumping between interfaces, you're missing the point of having a dashboard in the first place.
Choosing Your Foundation: gethomepage vs. Alternatives
So why gethomepage? The original poster wasn't just picking randomly. In my experience testing various dashboard solutions, gethomepage strikes a unique balance. It's lightweight but extensible. The configuration is YAML-based, which means it's version-controllable and relatively easy to manage. Unlike some heavier solutions, it doesn't try to do everything—it gives you a solid base to build upon.
But let's be real: it's not the only option. Heimdall is popular for its simplicity. Dashy offers more built-in widgets. Homarr has been gaining traction recently. So why might you still choose gethomepage in 2026?
Two words: customization potential. gethomepage's architecture makes it particularly amenable to the kind of deep integration we're talking about. The service discovery is flexible. The widget system, while basic, provides hooks for custom functionality. And because it's relatively simple under the hood, you're not fighting against layers of abstraction when you want to add something truly custom.
That said, if you're already invested in another dashboard solution, don't feel like you have to switch. Many of the principles we'll discuss can be adapted. The Docker API doesn't care what dashboard calls it. Authentik's endpoints work the same regardless. The specific implementation details will vary, but the concepts transfer.
Mastering Docker Container Controls
This is where things get interesting. The Docker API is your friend here, but you need to be careful with how you implement it. The original setup used Portainer's API, which is a smart move—it adds a layer of management and security compared to hitting Docker directly.
Here's how I typically set this up. First, you'll need a Portainer API key. In Portainer, go to your account settings and generate one. Store this securely—obviously. Then, in your gethomepage configuration, you'll create custom widgets for each service. The magic happens in the widget's URL field.
For a restart button, you'd use something like:
https://your-portainer/api/endpoints/1/docker/containers/[CONTAINER_ID]/restartBut here's the pro tip most guides miss: you should implement this with a small proxy script. Don't call the Portainer API directly from the browser. Why? Because then your API key is exposed in the browser. Instead, create a simple backend endpoint that handles the request. This could be a tiny Python Flask app, a Node.js endpoint, or even a serverless function if you're feeling fancy.
Your proxy does three things: validates the request (maybe with a simple token), makes the authenticated call to Portainer, and returns the result. This adds security without complicating the user experience. The button on your dashboard hits your proxy, your proxy talks to Portainer.
And what about feedback? A button that does something but doesn't tell you if it worked is frustrating. I like to add a small JavaScript snippet that shows a loading spinner, then checks the container status after a few seconds. It's not complicated—maybe 20 lines of code—but it transforms the experience from "did that work?" to "yes, it's restarting now."
Integrating Authentik Like a Pro
The original post mentioned "custom logout button that works sea"—I'm assuming they meant "seamlessly." And seamless is exactly what you want. Authentik is fantastic for managing access to all your self-hosted services, but logging out can be a pain if you have to visit each service individually.
Here's what most people get wrong: they think Authentik's logout endpoint is enough. It's not. While /application/logout/ will log you out of Authentik itself, it doesn't necessarily log you out of all the applications that use Authentik for authentication. Those applications might have their own sessions.
The solution? You need to implement proper Single Logout (SLO). In Authentik's provider settings for each application, enable SLO. This tells Authentik which logout endpoints to call for each service. Then, your dashboard's logout button should call Authentik's SLO endpoint, which will propagate the logout to all configured services.
But there's another layer here. Some applications don't support SLO properly. For those, you might need to get creative. One approach I've used: maintain a list of application-specific logout URLs and have your logout button open them in hidden iframes. It's not elegant, but it works. Another approach: use a browser extension or script that automates the process. Not perfect, but sometimes you work with what you have.
The key insight? Test your logout thoroughly. Log into three or four different services through Authentik, hit your dashboard's logout button, then try accessing those services again. They should all require re-authentication. If they don't, your logout isn't working as well as you think.
Beyond the Basics: Custom Features Worth Adding
Once you have Docker controls and Authentik integration working, you'll start seeing opportunities everywhere. Your dashboard shouldn't be static—it should evolve with your needs.
Consider adding resource monitoring. Not just "is the service up," but actual metrics. A small widget showing CPU and memory usage for key containers can help you spot issues before they become problems. You can pull this data from Portainer's API or directly from Docker stats.
What about backup status? If you're automating backups (and you should be), add a widget that shows when the last successful backup ran. Green for "within the last 24 hours," yellow for "24-48 hours," red for "older than 48 hours." At a glance, you know if your backup system is healthy.
Or how about service-specific controls? For a media server like Jellyfin or Plex, add a button to scan libraries. For a download client, add quick access to pause/resume. For a database, add a connection count display. The principle is the same as the Docker controls: identify actions you perform regularly, then bring them to the dashboard.
Here's a specific example from my setup: I have a photo management service that sometimes gets stuck processing uploads. Instead of SSHing in and restarting a specific process, I added a "restart processor" button to my dashboard. It calls a custom endpoint that runs exactly the command I would have typed manually. Saves me a few minutes every time it happens.
Layout and Design Considerations for 2026
Functionality is crucial, but let's not ignore presentation. A dashboard that works well but looks like a 1990s geocities page isn't enjoyable to use. The good news? gethomepage is quite flexible here.
Start with grouping. Don't just list all your services alphabetically. Group them by function: media services together, utilities together, development tools together. This makes the dashboard scannable. You can implement this in gethomepage with section headers in your YAML configuration.
Color coding is your friend. Use different background colors or icons to indicate service status or category. I use blue for internal tools, green for media services, orange for monitoring/alerting systems. It creates visual landmarks—I know where to look for what I need.
Responsive design matters even for a dashboard. You might check it on your phone sometimes. Make sure your layout works on different screen sizes. gethomepage uses CSS grid, which helps, but you might need to add some custom CSS for optimal mobile viewing.
And here's a controversial opinion: consider removing services you rarely use. Your dashboard should be for daily drivers, not every single thing you've ever installed. If you only use a service once a month, maybe it doesn't need prime dashboard real estate. Keep it focused on what you actually interact with regularly.
Security Implications You Can't Ignore
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Adding all this functionality to your dashboard increases its attack surface. Your dashboard becomes a powerful control panel—which means if someone unauthorized accesses it, they can control your entire infrastructure.
First, never expose your dashboard directly to the internet without authentication. This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this step. Use Authentik (or another SSO solution) to gate access. Require strong passwords and consider adding 2FA.
Second, limit what your dashboard can do. Those Docker controls? They should only be able to restart/stop containers, not delete them or modify their configurations. Implement the principle of least privilege at the API level. When you create your Portainer API key, give it only the permissions it needs.
Third, consider network segmentation. Your dashboard doesn't need to be on the same network as all your services. Put it in a management VLAN that can talk to your Docker API but isn't directly accessible from your regular devices. Add an extra hop for security.
Fourth, logging. Make sure all actions taken through the dashboard are logged. Who clicked what button when. This isn't just for security—it's helpful for troubleshooting too. "Why is this container stopped?" "Oh, I see I restarted it yesterday from the dashboard."
Finally, keep everything updated. Your dashboard software, any custom scripts you've written, your authentication system. Security is a process, not a one-time setup.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
I've seen people make the same mistakes over and over. Let me save you some frustration.
Pitfall #1: Overcomplicating too soon. Start simple. Get basic service links working. Then add one feature at a time. Don't try to implement Docker controls, Authentik integration, custom widgets, and resource monitoring all in one weekend. You'll get overwhelmed and give up.
Pitfall #2: Not testing changes in isolation. When you add a new feature, test it thoroughly before moving on. Does the Docker restart button actually restart the container? Does it handle errors gracefully? What happens if the container is already stopped?
Pitfall #3: Hardcoding everything. Use environment variables for configuration. Your Portainer URL, API keys, service addresses—these should all be configurable, not hardcoded in your YAML or scripts. It makes maintenance easier and your setup more portable.
Pitfall #4: Ignoring performance. Your dashboard should load quickly. If you're adding dozens of widgets that each make API calls on page load, you're going to have a slow dashboard. Consider lazy loading for non-critical information. Or cache results where appropriate.
Pitfall #5: Not documenting your setup. You will forget how you implemented something. I guarantee it. Write it down. Keep a README with your configuration. Note any quirks or special considerations. Future you will thank present you.
Taking It Further: Automation and Advanced Integrations
Once you have a solid dashboard foundation, you can start thinking about automation. What if your dashboard could not just show information but take action based on that information?
For example, you could set up automated responses to common issues. If a service goes down, your dashboard could automatically try to restart it once before alerting you. Or if disk usage crosses a threshold, it could trigger a cleanup script.
You could integrate with notification systems. Get a push notification when a backup completes or when a service you care about restarts. The dashboard becomes not just a control panel but a monitoring and alerting hub.
Consider integrating with web scraping tools for external data. Want to see your self-hosted analytics alongside Google Search Console data? Or pull in weather information for your server location? APIs and scraping can bring external context into your dashboard.
And don't forget about physical controls. With a little hardware tinkering, you could add dashboard controls for physical aspects of your homelab—reboot a physical server, control cooling fans, toggle network ports. The dashboard becomes the true nerve center of your entire setup.
Getting Help When You're Stuck
Even with this guide, you might hit snags. The self-hosting community is your best resource. r/selfhosted on Reddit, the Homepage Discord, various forums—these are filled with people who've solved the problems you're facing.
When asking for help, be specific. "My Docker controls don't work" isn't helpful. "I'm getting a 403 error when my proxy tries to call the Portainer API with this curl command" is much better. Include relevant configuration (with sensitive information redacted), error messages, and what you've already tried.
If you're really stuck on a specific integration, consider hiring a developer for a few hours to help you over the hump. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes spots the issue immediately.
And remember: it's okay to step back. If you're getting frustrated with a particular feature, work on something else for a while. The dashboard should be a fun project, not a source of stress.
Essential Hardware for Your Dashboard Setup
While the software is crucial, your hardware matters too. A dashboard is only useful if it's available when you need it. For a reliable setup, consider investing in proper infrastructure.
First, think about where you'll host it. Your dashboard should be on stable hardware—not your daily driver laptop that gets shut down at night. A dedicated mini PC like an Intel NUC or one of the many Mini PC for Home Server options works well. These are power-efficient and can run 24/7 without breaking the bank on electricity.
Backup power is critical too. A simple UPS Battery Backup can keep your dashboard (and the services it controls) running through brief power outages and, more importantly, provide clean shutdowns during longer outages. This protects your data and hardware.
And don't forget about networking. A good Network Switch with VLAN support can help you implement the network segmentation we discussed earlier. It's an investment in both performance and security.
The hardware doesn't need to be expensive or fancy, but it should be reliable. Your dashboard is only as available as the hardware it runs on.
Wrapping Up: Your Dashboard Journey
Building the ultimate homepage dashboard isn't a weekend project—it's a journey. You'll start with basic service links, add Docker controls, integrate authentication, then keep finding new ways to make it more useful. That's the beauty of it: your dashboard evolves as your self-hosting setup evolves.
The original Reddit poster had the right idea. They saw their dashboard not as a finished product but as a platform for customization. Those Docker controls and Authentik integration weren't just features—they were a mindset. A mindset that says "this tool should work for me, not the other way around."
So start simple. Get something working. Then, when you find yourself thinking "I wish I could do X from my dashboard," add it. That's how you build something truly useful. That's how you transform a collection of icons into a genuine control center for your digital life.
Your dashboard won't look exactly like mine, and that's good. It should reflect your needs, your services, your workflow. Take these principles, adapt them, make them yours. And when you've built something you're proud of? Share it. The community thrives when we learn from each other. Who knows—maybe your setup will inspire the next great dashboard innovation.
