automation - ITNotes

Stop the Power-Loss Panic: Mastering Network UPS Tools (NUT) for Your HomeLab

April 1, 2026

Protect your HomeLab from data loss. Learn how to configure Network UPS Tools (NUT) to automate graceful shutdowns for all your servers during a power outage.

HomeLab

Stop Manual Downloading: Automate Your Home Media with the Docker ‘Arr’ Stack

April 1, 2026

Ditch the manual downloads. Learn how to configure Sonarr, Radarr, and Prowlarr on Docker for a professional, automated media library with instant file moves.

DevOps

Stop Breaking the Build: A Hands-On Guide to Git Hooks

March 31, 2026

Waiting for CI/CD servers to tell you about a typo is a waste of time. Learn how to use Git Hooks to automate linting and testing on your local machine.

HomeLab

Automate Docker Container Updates on Your HomeLab with Watchtower and Docker Compose

March 31, 2026

Manually updating Docker containers across a HomeLab quickly becomes a chore. This guide walks through setting up Watchtower with Docker Compose to automate image updates — with smart exclusions for databases, notification alerts, and a one-command manual trigger when you need it now.

DevOps

Platform Engineering — The Future Beyond Traditional DevOps?

March 26, 2026

Platform Engineering is emerging as the next evolution beyond traditional DevOps, focusing on creating internal developer platforms for enhanced productivity. This guide explores the differences, benefits, and challenges of Platform Engineering, offering a practical approach to implementation. Learn how a dedicated platform team can abstract infrastructure complexity, empowering developers to focus on core application logic and accelerate software delivery.

HomeLab

Automate Your HomeLab with Ansible: Configuration & Rapid Service Deployment

March 25, 2026

Streamline your HomeLab with Ansible automation. This tutorial covers quick setup, deep dives into core concepts, advanced usage with roles and vaults, and essential best practices for efficient service configuration and deployment.

AI Agents: What They Are & How to Build Your First Automated Workflow

March 24, 2026

AI agents are changing how we automate complex IT tasks, using large language models (LLMs) with specialized tools and advanced reasoning. This tutorial shows you how to build your first agent with Python and LangChain, covering environment setup, configuration, and key monitoring techniques.

HomeLab

Home Assistant: Build Your Own Smart Home on Raspberry Pi or Old Hardware

March 22, 2026

After months of stable production use, I'm sharing my practical guide to building an efficient smart home with Home Assistant. Learn to leverage Raspberry Pi or old hardware for seamless automation and regain control over your home's intelligence.

Database

Flyway and Liquibase: Automated Database Migration in Real-World Projects

March 21, 2026

Automate your database schema changes effectively with Flyway or Liquibase. This comprehensive guide explains the core concepts, compares these two popular tools in detail, and provides practical setup examples for real-world projects. Learn how to manage migrations for consistent and reliable database deployments, minimizing errors and streamlining team collaboration.