Benmore hosting or your own server?
Both options run Benmore app source. Managed hosting adds the cloud CLI, hosted agent tools, development environments, and platform operations. Self-hosting gives you the public framework runtime and responsibility for the infrastructure.
Choose managed hosting when you want to build through Codex, Claude Code, or MCP with an existing hosted development workflow. Choose the standalone framework when you want to operate the server yourself and can own deployment, security configuration, backups, and recovery.
Features and responsibilities
| Capability | Benmore hosting | Standalone framework |
|---|---|---|
| App runtime | Prisma schemas, HTML/TSX, YAML, auth, generated APIs, and workflows. | The public runtime supports the same core app formats and features. Platform-managed integrations need replacement configuration. |
| Deployment | Cloud CLI or hosted MCP tools, hosted dev URLs, and source promotion to production. | A framework binary serving an app directory. You install it, run the service, and ship updates. |
| Agent integration | The shared Codex/Claude skill and hosted API/tool discovery. | Your agent edits source and uses the framework's files and documentation. Hosted MCP and cloud deployment tools are not included. |
| Domain and HTTPS | Platform URLs and supported custom-domain configuration. | Your DNS and TLS reverse proxy, such as Caddy. |
| Database and persistence | App database and hosted storage managed within the platform. | SQLite and writable app state on your persistent local disk. You manage disk capacity and permissions. |
| Secrets and integrations | Platform environment management and available hosted integrations. | Your signing/encryption keys and provider credentials for email, OAuth, storage, or other integrations. |
| Backups and recovery | Platform backup and restore operations. Verify backup status and test the recovery path for your app. | You schedule consistent backups, copy them off the machine, protect keys, and rehearse restores. |
| Monitoring and upgrades | Platform operations plus your app-level checks. | Your service monitoring, host patching, framework upgrades, and app-level checks. |
| Platform dashboard and fleet engine | Included as part of the hosted product, subject to the selected plan. | Not part of the public framework. |
Check current hosting plans and limits before choosing a tier. The public framework repository is the source for the standalone edition; it is distinct from the commercial hosting engine.
What does each option cost?
Managed hosting uses Benmore's published plans. Your AI subscription or model usage is supplied separately. External services used by your app may have their own charges.
Self-hosting needs no Benmore hosting subscription, but the server, domain, backups, monitoring, and any external providers still cost money or operator time. A single runtime does not remove the need to maintain the machine or verify that you can restore its data.
Can I use Codex or Claude Code with either option?
Yes, but the workflow differs. On the hosted platform, benmore bootstrap installs the shared skill and establishes the workspace. The agent can inspect live app contracts, push to a hosted dev app, run supported checks, and promote reviewed source. Follow the complete hosted agent workflow.
For a standalone app, the agent edits your app source and follows your server deployment procedure. The framework edition does not provide benmore deploy, push, promote, or the hosted MCP service. Keep the cloud CLI and framework binary paths distinct if you install both; benmore version --json identifies the edition.
Can I move an existing hosted app to my own server?
Yes, with a planned migration. App source alone is insufficient: you also need a consistent database copy, uploads and any external objects, the matching encryption key, stable signing configuration, and replacement service credentials. Verify the app on the destination before switching traffic.
The hosted-app migration procedure covers the transfer order and verification. Do not copy a live SQLite main file while ignoring its WAL, rotate an encryption key during the move, or assume that exporting source exports stored records.
Which option should I start with?
- Use managed hosting if a hosted dev environment, shared agent workflow, and platform operations are the main benefit. Start with the CLI installation.
- Self-host if server control is a requirement and you can operate persistent storage, HTTPS, secrets, and recovery. Follow the standalone setup.
- Check compatibility first if you already have an app. Benmore is not a general-purpose host for arbitrary Node or Python servers; read the generated-code compatibility guide.
Benmore is experimental software. Review the service terms and validate the permissions, integrations, and recovery requirements of your particular app before relying on either deployment.