Getting started

You need a DigitalOcean account and, for the best setup, a domain whose DNS is on DigitalOcean. The scripts can also use Vultr, Linode or AWS, or set up any Ubuntu 24.04 machine you already have.

1. Get the code

git clone https://github.com/askrobots/network-computer
cd network-computer

2. Create your desk

NC_DOMAIN=nc.example.com infra/create-droplet.sh

One command builds the computer, points the name at it, gets a Let's Encrypt certificate and sets up the desktop, voice, the object server and the apps. Automated checks run at the end.

3. Connect

infra/droplet.sh creds

prints the address, the login and the PIN. Open the address in a browser, log in, pick your desk and type the PIN once: that device is remembered. On an iPhone, iPad or Mac, use the Network Computer app.

Every day

infra/droplet.sh up       # sit down: a computer of any size, your desk attached
infra/droplet.sh down     # get up: the computer and its DNS record go, the desk stays
infra/droplet.sh status   # the computer, its services, the desk

The computer is disposable, your desk is not: a small volume keeps your settings, documents, keys and pairings, so the next computer is the same desk. `infra/people.sh` builds desks for other people.