DOCS
Install & activate
PlantStacks runs on one machine in your building and is reached from any PC on your LAN. No cloud account, no agents to manage, no internet required at runtime. You can be up and running in minutes.
Self-hosted · Offline-capable · Your data never leaves the building
Quick start
Five steps from a fresh machine to a working install. Run the commands in the folder where you unpacked PlantStacks.
1. Get PlantStacks
Download the PlantStacks package from your account and unpack it onto the machine that will host it. Everything ships in one bundle.
2. Install
From the PlantStacks folder, run node platformctl.js install. This sets up the database, generates TLS certificates, and prepares the dashboard.
3. Start the server
Run npm start. PlantStacks comes online and begins listening on the LAN. Leave it running, or set it up as a service so it starts with the machine.
4. Open the dashboard
From any PC on the network, open https://your-host:8443 in a modern browser. Replace your-host with the host machine's name or IP.
5. Create the owner account
The first visit walks you through creating the owner account. Sign in, turn on the features you need, and you are operational.
Tip: bookmark https://your-host:8443 on each PC that will use PlantStacks so staff can reach it in one click.
System requirements
PlantStacks is deliberately light. If it runs Node, it runs PlantStacks.
One machine
A mini-PC, NUC, small server, or virtual machine is plenty for most teams. PlantStacks lives on a single host in your building.
Node 18 or newer
The only software prerequisite. Install Node 18+ on the host, unpack PlantStacks, and you are ready to install.
Any modern browser on the LAN
Staff reach the dashboard from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari on any PC connected to your network. Nothing to install on their machines.
No internet required at runtime. PlantStacks runs fully offline and supports air-gapped networks. Licenses are verified offline, and there is no phone-home.
Activate a license
Your license key arrives by email after purchase. There are two ways to activate, both take seconds.
From the dashboard
Go to Subscription → Activate, paste your key, and confirm. The plan's features unlock immediately, no restart needed.
From the command line
Drop your license file on the host and run:
node platformctl.js license install --file plantstacks.lic
Expiry never destroys data or blocks login. If a license lapses, your records stay intact and you can always sign in. Renew the key and everything picks up where it left off.
Hands-off auto-renew optional
Prefer not to paste a new key each cycle? Point the install at a renewal URL and it refreshes itself.
In platform.yaml, set:
licensing.update_check: true
licensing.update_url: https://your-renewal-endpoint
PlantStacks will check the URL and apply renewals automatically.
Off by default. With it disabled, PlantStacks makes no outbound calls of any kind, which keeps air-gapped installs fully offline. Turn it on only if your host has reach to your renewal endpoint.
FAQ
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. PlantStacks is self-hosted. Your data lives on your machine, in your building, and never leaves it. There is no phone-home and no vendor cloud.
Does it work offline or air-gapped?
Yes. PlantStacks runs fully offline and is designed for air-gapped networks. No internet is required at runtime, and licenses are verified offline.
What happens when a subscription lapses?
You get a grace period first. After that, paid features pause, but your data and your ability to log in always stay. Renew your key and the features switch back on.
Can I switch features off?
Yes. Every feature is a toggle in the dashboard and off by default. Turn one off whenever you like, and its data is kept so you can turn it back on later.
How many users can I have?
Seats are set by plan: 10 on Starter, 50 on Pro, and unlimited on Enterprise. See pricing for the full breakdown.
Do I need an IT department?
No. Install with two commands, open a browser, and create the owner account. PlantStacks is built for manufacturers and SMBs without dedicated IT staff.
Ready to install it yourself?
Spin up PlantStacks on your own machine and turn on only the features you need. No credit card, no cloud account.
Frequently asked questions
Does PlantStacks really run offline / on-prem?
Yes. PlantStacks installs on one machine in your building and runs fully offline — no cloud, no phone-home. Your operational data never leaves your network.
What operating systems does it run on?
Windows and Linux. It ships as a self-contained installer (and a portable build) — no separate database or runtime to set up.
Do I own my data?
Yes. All your records live on your own hardware. Disabling a feature or ending a subscription never deletes your data or blocks login.
How is it licensed?
By seats and sites — every tier includes all features. Licenses are verified offline against an embedded key, so the product keeps working without internet.