How to Keep Running or Shut Down

Option 1: Keep Everything Running (Easiest Short-Term)

The servers and services will keep running on their own for weeks or months with no intervention. As long as the power stays on and the internet bill is paid, everything will just work. This buys you time to figure out what you want to do long-term.

Option 2: Keep Only the Essentials

If you want to simplify but keep some things:

1. Keep running: The password manager (if self-hosted), this Bookstack wiki, home automation, and DNS/ad-blocking
2. Can shut down: Media server, any hobby/project services
3. To stop a service: [e.g., "SSH into the server and run 'docker stop [container-name]'"]

Option 3: Shut Everything Down

If you want to turn it all off:

1. First: Export/backup anything you want to keep:
   • This Bookstack wiki — [how to export, e.g., "Settings > Maintenance > Export" or backup files]
   • Any files on the NAS/server — [copy to an external drive or cloud]
   • Photos/media — [where they are and how to copy them]
2. Then: You can simply power off the server. Nothing bad will happen. The smart home devices will still work locally (lights, locks) but automations will stop.
3. WiFi and internet will keep working — those run on separate equipment (router/access points), not the server.

Getting Help

If you need someone technical to help with the servers, reach out to:

• [Trusted tech-savvy friend/family member name and contact]
• [Local IT professional or MSP if applicable]

The detailed technical docs are in the "2 - Network Info" and "3 - Computers / Servers" books — a knowledgeable person can follow those.