Kaneo: A Modern, Self-Hosted Project Management Platform for Efficiency

Kaneo: A Modern, Self-Hosted Project Management Platform for Efficiency

Summary

Kaneo is an open-source, self-hosted project management platform designed for simplicity and efficiency. It offers a clean interface and fast performance, providing a powerful yet user-friendly alternative to bloated tools. Users can customize and host it themselves, ensuring data ownership and flexibility for their projects.

Repository Info

Updated on October 12, 2025
View on GitHub

Introduction

Kaneo is a modern, open-source project management platform that prioritizes simplicity and efficiency. Designed to be self-hosted, it empowers users to take full control of their project data and customize the experience to their needs. With a focus on a clean interface and fast performance, Kaneo aims to be the sweet spot between overly complex and overly simplistic project management solutions. It's built with TypeScript, React, and Hono, offering a robust and modern tech stack.

Installation

Getting started with Kaneo is straightforward, especially using Docker Compose for a quick setup. This method deploys the API, web interface, and a PostgreSQL database with minimal effort. For those managing Kubernetes environments, Kaneo also provides a Helm chart for seamless deployment. Detailed instructions for development setup and configuration options are available in the official documentation.

Examples

The quickest way to run Kaneo is with Docker Compose. Save the following content as compose.yml and run docker compose up -d.

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: kaneo
      POSTGRES_USER: kaneo_user
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: kaneo_password
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    restart: unless-stopped

  backend:
    image: ghcr.io/usekaneo/api:latest
    environment:
      JWT_ACCESS: "your-secret-key-here"
      DATABASE_URL: "postgresql://kaneo_user:kaneo_password@postgres:5432/kaneo"
    ports:
      - 1337:1337
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    restart: unless-stopped

  frontend:
    image: ghcr.io/usekaneo/web:latest
    environment:
      KANEO_API_URL: "http://localhost:1337"
    ports:
      - 5173:5173
    depends_on:
      - backend
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  postgres_data:

After running, access Kaneo at http://localhost:5173. Remember to change JWT_ACCESS to a secure key for production environments.

Why Use Kaneo?

Kaneo stands out by offering a compelling alternative to traditional project management tools. Its core advantages include:

  • Clean Interface: Focuses on your work, minimizing distractions.
  • Self-Hosted: Gives you complete control and ownership over your data.
  • Actually Fast: Engineered for performance, ensuring a smooth user experience.
  • Open Source: Free to use, modify, and contribute to, fostering a vibrant community.

It's designed for teams who need powerful features without the bloat, providing a balanced solution for managing complex projects efficiently.

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