CCAI : Cloudron Custom App Installer

[timconsidine]

@humptydumpty oh, about zoneminder ….

Yes it is safe to install in a production server.
The app installs and loads and some essential configuration can be done, like adding a camera.
But it’s not currently loading a stream from the camera.

The reason it is ALPHA with warnings is that Zoneminder has some complex runtime internal links for streaming feed which does not fall easily into Cloudron’s separation of /app/code and /app/data. I have been trying to find a solution to this but paused to consider how.

I might need to do some code tweaks during deployment to handle the runtime link generation.
It’s not ideal but might be possible to do in a way which can produce a stable maintainable app.

I want Zoneminder for my own use, so not giving up yet.
You can install to take a peek, just don’t expect the camera feed to show … or let me know if it does !!

[timconsidine]

I have no doubt that Cloudron team would do a much better job of implementing a custom app installer. Technically not difficult and they have the benefit of working it into and inside the platform.

But I acknowledge that a decision to do so is not technically driven, but strategic. Making it easier to install custom apps to Cloudron will, in my opinion, support strong Cloudron growth.

But it comes with the risk of low-quality custom apps harming Cloudron reputation and increasing support loads.
If it’s an official platform-based installer, it could be difficult to push back against support tickets, even if the app is marked UNSTABLE or CUSTOM.

Maybe some community based app ranking or scoring could help, but I acknowledge these are not robust answers to the issue.

[girish]

Yes, I want to able to support this natively in Cloudron itself. I think we will put this in 9.1 roadmap. But before we implement, we will make a proposal here just to make sure it is what everyone is expecting . Probably only after new years though since most of the team is off and on given holidays.

[timconsidine]

Announcing ...

CCAI-P : Cloudron CustomApp Installer Personal Edition

Recognising that many users are reluctant to enter their cloudron credentials on an open url, I have adapted the current "open" CCAI custom app installer, into a "closed" app using cloudron ProxyAuth for authentication, and a token for installations.

While a one-time install of the Personal CustomApp Installer is needed, manually or using the hosted CCAI, after that, the user is secure with their own app deployment, and credentials do not need to be entered on a 3rd party site.

The Personal Edition has a button to import the master app catalogue when needed.

The Personal Edition feels a lot faster as no login code / 2FA is needed.

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My Git Repo : https://git.cloudron.io/timconsidine/cloudron-customapp-installer-personal

Built Docker Image : tcmbp132021/cloudron-customapp-installer-personal:v1.0.0

Available on the open CCAI site https://ccai.appx.uk

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[timconsidine]

Update 20/01/2026 :

• I am deprecating installation of the open version of CCAI, as I don't really see that anyone would want to host their own open version.
  It's still available, but you will have to hunt for it or ask me.
  Basically I've removed it from the catalogue.

• I've updated CCAI-P which is the preferred self-host app.
  Runs on your own instance, credentials are stored in the app on your server

• timeouts removed from CCAI-P : you're logged in or you're not : logout button for security, but you can leave it running if it's only you have access to it

• added 3 new descriptors :

  • packageAuthor : previously implied, now explicit
  • appNote : extended explanation of the catalogue entry
  • appHomepage : clickable link to the app's Homepage so you can read about it

• it will take a little while for me to populate the new fields for all apps, but will get on with it.

@staff : can I modify the AppWishlist to the effect :

• please DO NOT add CCAI to the AppStore
• please DO add CCAI-P to the AppStore
• or please make your own version (which I am sure will be more lovely)

There are clear pain points in installing custom apps.
This is eminently resolvable.
The problem is without an official way to get CCAI-P, users still have to go through those pain points. Maybe only once, but that's enough to deter them.

The growing catalogue of custom apps (and there are many more that I am not aware of) shows that relying on the App Store only, and relying on approval of items into the App Store, is a clear bottle neck to maximum use and efficiency of a user's Cloudron instance.

EDIT : at the risk of over-selling the point, can Cloudron staff imagine this ? A daily workload where they never ever have to think about adding apps to the Cloudron AppStore, unless they really want to. No more user pressure.

[humptydumpty]

@timconsidine said in CCAI : Cloudron Custom App Installer:

The problem is without an official way to get CCAI-P, users still have to go through those pain points. Maybe only once, but that's enough to deter them.

Not in a million years would I have been able to install a custom app on my own. CCAI-P makes it stupidly easy. Thank you Tim!

[timconsidine]

@humptydumpty and I am working on another non-Cloudron way to get over the blockage of getting CCAI-P into the AppStore. One simple download.

But ssssh, don’t tell anyone yet

[timconsidine]

The Problem :

The Solution :

NEW : CustomAppGateway

• no more technical or knowledge blocks

• no more excuses

• a whole new world of opportunity opened up

• available in your preferred approach

  • hosted service : zero setup
  • self-hosted deployment : private setup
  • binary tool : tiny run-once local setup

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• security : single-use token (optionally also IP address limited to only you )

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Release : 21st January 2026

Standby ....

[robi]

Nothing like a new interposer to solve all your problems.

Long live CAG!

[timconsidine]

[Announce] CustomAppGateway (CAG) – Solving the "Chicken & Egg" for Custom Apps

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to share a new project that I hope will be a valuable addition to our ecosystem: CustomAppGateway (CAG).

Available now at CAG Website

The "Chicken & Egg" Problem

For a while now, I've been working on CCAI and then CCAI-P (Cloudron Custom App Installer - Personal), a tool designed to be the primary "Install UI" for custom apps. It empowers you to easily install packaged custom apps that aren't yet in the official store.

However, there is a catch-22: How do you install the installer (CCAI-P) without using the CLI ?

Enter CustomAppGateway (CAG)

CustomAppGateway is the solution to that problem. It is a specialized, lightweight run-once tool designed solely to deploy CCAI-P to your Cloudron instance securely and easily.

It provides three simple methods:

1. CAG Online (Hosted): A web-based installer that runs securely in your browser (using a proxy to handle CORS, with tokens processed in memory only).
2. CAG Web (self-hosted) : same as above but made easy to deploy to your own server.
3. CAG App (Downloaded): A standalone terminal executable for Mac, Windows, and Linux for those who prefer a local utility.

AppStore Independence

CAG and CCAI-P are about AppStore Independence. You are not reliant on waiting for an app to be officially adopted or packaged by the Cloudron team to use it, if you need it NOW.

That said, the Cloudron App Store remains vital. It provides the seamless, tested update mechanism we all rely on. While custom apps give us freedom and immediacy, the App Store is still the gold standard for long-term maintenance and stability.

Updates & Housekeeping

• CCAI-P is now the primary interface for installing custom apps and will receive further updates and improvements.
• The old CCAI open hosted version is effectively deprecated and will be archived/deleted. I encourage everyone to switch to using CCAI-P.

Security

A hot topic which I’ve taken seriously.
CAG leverages the excellent security baked into the Cloudron platform.
We focus on :

• using a dedicated one-time token which you create and subsequently delete
• restricting the token to use only on your IP address
  The footprint for attack is tiny.

A Note to the Cloudron Team

I want to extend a huge and ongoing thank you to the Cloudron team for their continued, tireless efforts. Cloudron remains the #1 self-hosting platform because of your hard work.

We know you face time and effort constraints with a small team. My hope is that CustomAppGateway and CCAI-P can ease your burden a little by empowering the community to self-service their custom app needs, allowing you to focus on the core platform and official apps.

Where to get it

CAG Website

Status

• hosted installer : zero setup : tested
• web installer : private setup : tested
• desktop installer : minimal setup : tested on MacOS
• TODO :
  • test desktop installer on Windows
  • test desktop installer on Linux

Feedback is always welcome!
And in doing so, please cut me some slack - it's a ground-breaking project, and as such may have some gremlins for a short (hopefully) while.