> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heygaia.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Learn how to self-host GAIA on your own infrastructure

Run GAIA on your own machine with the GAIA CLI. It scaffolds your environment, starts every service with Docker, and gets you to a working instance in a few commands.

## What runs

* **Web**: Next.js
* **Backend**: FastAPI
* **Databases/Infra**: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, ChromaDB, RabbitMQ (via Docker)
* **Workspace storage**: JuiceFS (per-user file uploads, agent artifacts, skills)

## Prerequisites

* Node.js 20+ and one package manager (npm, pnpm, or bun)
* Docker Engine 20.10+ and Compose v2+
* 2+ CPU cores, 4GB+ RAM, 10GB+ disk (8GB+ RAM recommended)
* An API key for at least one supported LLM provider (OpenAI or Google Gemini), see [Environment variables](/configuration/environment-variables)

## Quick start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the GAIA CLI">
    <Snippet file="cli-install.mdx" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize self-host mode">
    ```bash theme={null}
    gaia init
    ```

    In the setup wizard, choose **Self-Host (Docker)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start services">
    ```bash theme={null}
    gaia start
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor and open GAIA">
    ```bash theme={null}
    gaia status
    gaia logs
    ```

    * Web: [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)
    * Backend API: [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Advanced: workspace storage on macOS and Windows

You only need this if you plan to run the backend outside the default Docker setup.

<Note>
  Run the backend in a container on every platform. Its workspace storage (file uploads, artifacts, skills) uses JuiceFS, which mounts through Linux FUSE, a native backend on macOS or Windows can't provide it. Docker Desktop covers this on all platforms. See [Docker setup](/self-hosting/docker-setup#persistent-workspace-storage-juicefs-and-fuse) for the FUSE requirements and configuration.
</Note>

## Next steps

* [CLI setup](/self-hosting/cli-setup), full CLI installation and service management
* [Docker setup](/self-hosting/docker-setup), advanced Docker operations and storage configuration
* [Environment variables](/configuration/environment-variables), configure LLM providers, integrations, and optional features