Nest Wiki - User contributions [en]

Main Page

2026-11-13T15:49:09Z

U0APWD8KNPP: Linked the nest-help channel

Nest is a free Linux hosting service provided by [https://hackclub.app Hack Club] for teenagers to host their apps and projects for free.

=== Getting Started ===
To get started, check out the [[Quickstart]] guide, which walks you through creating an account, verifying that you are a student, logging in, and basic usage of Nest. '''Please read the [[Acceptable Use Policy]] and [[Limitations]] page before using Nest.''' You can also review our [[Nest Wiki:Privacy policy|privacy policy]] and [[Your data on nest|what happens to your data on Nest]]. There's also a list of [[Frequently Asked Questions]] that you really should read.

Please note that these guides only provide information on how to use and navigate Nest-specific services, so it may not cover every Linux question you might have. We recommend using external docs (like [https://documentation.ubuntu.com/desktop/en/latest/tutorial/the-linux-command-line-for-beginners/ this one]!) if you have Linux-related questions, but you can always get help from us in our [https://hackclub.enterprise.slack.com/archives/C097AL5AUH0 help channel]!

=== How to Use Nest Services: ===
* [[Dashboard]]
* [[Forgejo]]

=== Tool Guides: ===
* [[Using PM2|PM2]]
* [[Systemd]]
* [[Docker]]
* more coming soon...

=== Important Concepts: ===
* [[IPv6 vs IPv4]]

If you need further help, external resources are listed in each of the guides mentioned above, and you can always get help from fellow birds in [https://app.slack.com/client/E09V59WQY1E/C097AL5AUH0 #nest-help] on the [https://hackclub.com/slack Hack Club Slack].

=== Quick links ===
Dashboard: https://dashboard.hackclub.app

Forgejo: https://git.hackclub.app

Nest Status: https://status.hackclub.app/

Main Page

2026-11-13T15:45:54Z

U0APWD8KNPP: Updated Ubuntu titorial link

Nest is a free Linux hosting service provided by [https://hackclub.app Hack Club] for teenagers to host their apps and projects for free.

=== Getting Started ===
To get started, check out the [[Quickstart]] guide, which walks you through creating an account, verifying that you are a student, logging in, and basic usage of Nest. '''Please read the [[Acceptable Use Policy]] and [[Limitations]] page before using Nest.''' You can also review our [[Nest Wiki:Privacy policy|privacy policy]] and [[Your data on nest|what happens to your data on Nest]]. There's also a list of [[Frequently Asked Questions]] that you really should read.

Please note that these guides only provide information on how to use and navigate Nest-specific services, so it may not cover every Linux question you might have. We recommend using external docs (like [https://documentation.ubuntu.com/desktop/en/latest/tutorial/the-linux-command-line-for-beginners/ this one]!) if you have Linux-related questions, but you can always get help from us in our help channel!

=== How to Use Nest Services: ===
* [[Dashboard]]
* [[Forgejo]]

=== Tool Guides: ===
* [[Using PM2|PM2]]
* [[Systemd]]
* [[Docker]]
* more coming soon...

=== Important Concepts: ===
* [[IPv6 vs IPv4]]

If you need further help, external resources are listed in each of the guides mentioned above, and you can always get help from fellow birds in [https://app.slack.com/client/E09V59WQY1E/C097AL5AUH0 #nest-help] on the [https://hackclub.com/slack Hack Club Slack].

=== Quick links ===
Dashboard: https://dashboard.hackclub.app

Forgejo: https://git.hackclub.app

Nest Status: https://status.hackclub.app/

Quickstart

2026-11-10T08:48:32Z

U0APWD8KNPP: Update command line guide link

Before you can access your Nest container, you'll need to apply for one at https://dashboard.hackclub.app. If you haven't already, you'll be asked to verify your age/identity through [https://auth.hackclub.com/ Hack Club Auth]. Age verification is handled by Hack Club Auth, not by Nest itself.

----''Nest operates differently than services you might have used before. There are 2 places you'll manage your Nest container:''

- The [https://dashboard.hackclub.app '''Dashboard'''] for starting/stopping, adding domains, creating backups, etc.

- Your '''terminal''' for pretty much everything. If you're on Windows, you can technically use Command Prompt or Powershell, but the Terminal app works best. It comes preinstalled on Win11 but on Win10, we would recommend installing it.

Your Nest container has no GUI, it is fully command line. This means you'll only be able to type and execute commands and will have no traditional desktop. There are a ton of external guides that can help you [https://ubuntu.com/desktop/docs/en/latest/tutorial/the-linux-command-line-for-beginners/ navigate this].

----You'll be asked to pick a username, paste your '''public''' SSH key, and tell us what you'll use Nest for. Nest uses SSH keys instead of passwords: they're more secure, and once set up you never type a password again.

'''Important:''' only ever paste your '''public''' key (the file ending in <code>.pub</code>). Never paste your private key (the matching file with no extension). Your public key is safe to share; your private key is not and should never leave your machine.

----
If you're not sure how to find your public SSH key, here's how:

'''1. Check whether you already have a key.'''

Linux/macOS:<syntaxhighlight>cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>Windows (PowerShell):<syntaxhighlight>type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>Windows (Command Prompt):<syntaxhighlight>type %USERPROFILE%\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>
If it prints a long string starting with <code>ssh-ed25519</code>, you already have a key. Copy that entire line and skip to submitting it.

If you get "No such file or directory," you might have no key, or you might have an older RSA key. Run the same command again with <code>id_rsa.pub</code> instead of <code>id_ed25519.pub</code>. If that prints a string starting with <code>ssh-rsa</code>, use it instead.

'''<br />
If you have a SSH key already, copy it and skip step 2 and 3.\'''

'''2. Generate a key (only if you don't have one).'''

If neither command returned a key, create one:<syntaxhighlight>ssh-keygen -t ed25519</syntaxhighlight>
You can press Enter at each prompt to accept the defaults (this creates the key with no passphrase). Adding a passphrase when prompted is optional but more secure, since it protects the key if your machine is ever compromised.

'''3. Display your public key so you can copy it.'''

Linux/macOS:<syntaxhighlight>cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>Windows (PowerShell):<syntaxhighlight>type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>Windows (Command Prompt):<syntaxhighlight>type %USERPROFILE%\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub</syntaxhighlight>
Copy the entire line starting with <code>ssh-ed25519</code> and paste it into the application.

----
Once submitted, your application may take up to 72 hours for an admin to review. You'll be notified whether it's approved or rejected. If it's rejected, you can should ask an admin in #nest-help on Slack.

Once approved, SSH into your container with (replace <code>username</code>):<syntaxhighlight>ssh username@hackclub.app</syntaxhighlight>
'''The first time you connect, you'll see a message about the host's authenticity and a prompt asking whether to continue. Type <code>yes</code> and press Enter. You'll only be asked this once.'''

If you instead get <code>Permission denied (publickey)</code>, the key you submitted probably doesn't match the one on your machine, or your SSH agent isn't using it. Check that the public key in the dashboard matches the output of the <code>cat</code>/<code>type</code> command above.

Congratulations, you're now inside your Nest container and can start hosting your projects.

You can also manage your container at https://dashboard.hackclub.app. If you're unsure about the dashboard, read the [[Dashboard]] guide.