[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":19},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog:servers-not-plants":3},{"title":4,"description":5,"date":6,"author":7,"url":8,"markdownPath":9,"html":10,"toc":11},"A Server is like a houseplant, except the houseplant doesn't have a database","Independent workspaces need care. A practical guide for people who have already killed one succulent.","2026-10-24","Inchi","\u002Fblog\u002Fservers-not-plants","\u002Fblog\u002Fservers-not-plants.md","\u003Cp>Congratulations on your new Server! It is yours. It has a name, a purpose and a small collection of people who will soon ask why they can't upload a file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike a houseplant, a Server does not need sunlight. It does need updates, storage, credentials and a backup that actually works. Also unlike a houseplant, putting it in a bigger pot will not solve a permissions problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"watering-schedule\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#watering-schedule\">Watering schedule\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>An L4 Server owns the Accounts, content and settings of its community. An operator can use a supported Cloudflare or self-hosting path, but each path comes with infrastructure to maintain. Providers may charge for resources; running your own software does not make their bills disappear through the power of optimism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there are backups. A backup is a recovery copy, not a second Server secretly working the night shift, and it only counts once you have restored it somewhere safe (\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fbackups\">here's how to think about it\u003C\u002Fa>). “I clicked Backup once” is not a recovery plan, just as “I bought a watering can” is not gardening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"ask-for-help-before-the-leaves-turn-brown\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#ask-for-help-before-the-leaves-turn-brown\">Ask for help before the leaves turn brown\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>You don't have to configure every optional capability on the first day. Start with the community journey: owner setup, invitation, conversation and a shared file. Add things like Mail or model providers when you need them and can verify their setup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Treat ownership as a routine, not an emergency. And if the Server is doing well, please resist the urge to put it near a window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[12,16],{"id":13,"text":14,"depth":15},"watering-schedule","Watering schedule",2,{"id":17,"text":18,"depth":15},"ask-for-help-before-the-leaves-turn-brown","Ask for help before the leaves turn brown",1793335826744]