Self-host Pad
v0.18.1Project management for developers and AI agents
- Stars
- 198
- Port
- 7777 (HTTP API and embedded web UI)
ghcr.io/perpetualsoftware/pad
What is Pad?
This tool helps developers and AI coding agents manage projects together. It packages a SvelteKit web interface, a command-line interface, and a natural-language skill named /pad into one Go binary. The skill works with popular AI assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Codex, and others. Work gets organized into groups — Tasks, Ideas, Plans, Docs, Conventions, Playbooks — each supporting custom fields. Conventions set trigger-based rules for agents, while playbooks define multi-step workflows they can run. By default, data stays in a local SQLite file for fully offline use with zero telemetry; PostgreSQL and Redis can be added for clustered deployments. The self-hosted edition is free under Apache 2.0, and a managed cloud version adds sync, backups, and team features. You can install it via Homebrew, Docker, Docker Compose, direct binary download, Nix, or by compiling from source.
Should you self-host Pad?
Pad scores 49/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #33 of 45 in Project Management. It has 198 GitHub stars.
It shipped 9 stable releases in the past year. The latest, v0.18.1, came out on 18 October 2026. New versions land roughly every 7 days.
Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. An official Docker image is available. It is Apache-2.0-licensed and written mostly in Go.
Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is Plane (86/100, 61 608 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See Pad vs Plane side by side.
Features
- Agent onboarding (/pad onboard)
- AI agent skill (/pad)
- API tokens
- CLI-first project management
- Conventions and playbooks
- Custom collections and fields
- Decision provider (optional)Off by default, requires Typesafe API key
- Embedded Web UI
- Local-first with SQLite
- MCP Server
- Real-Time Collaboration
- Role-based Access Control
- Webhooks
- Workspace templates
Pad README
FAQ
Where can I get help?
GitHub Discussions for questions and ideas, GitHub Issues for bugs and feature requests, and email for Pad Cloud account questions.
Does Pad work in a multi-user team?
On Pad Cloud, yes — that's its primary use case. Self-hosted supports multi-user via accounts, workspace invitations, and roles, but operating it for a team is the operator's responsibility.
How do AI agents work with Pad?
Pad ships a /pad skill that major AI coding agents can install via 'pad agent install'. Agents then manage projects through natural language commands like '/pad what should I work on next?'.
What's the license?
Apache 2.0 — you can use, modify, and distribute Pad freely including for commercial use.
Is Pad Cloud the same product as self-hosted Pad?
Same engine and features, but Pad Cloud adds managed PostgreSQL, encrypted backups, OAuth sign-in, team billing, and no operator burden. Self-hosted is supported for solo use; teams are directed to Pad Cloud.
Can I migrate from Linear / Notion / Jira?
Pad accepts JSON workspace imports but has no first-party importers. Users typically export to CSV and script POST requests to the REST API.
How do I update Pad?
Update via Homebrew with 'brew upgrade PerpetualSoftware/tap/pad', download latest binary from GitHub Releases, or rebuild from source with 'git pull && make install'. Migrations run automatically on startup.
Does Pad collect telemetry or analytics?
Self-hosted Pad collects no telemetry, usage tracking, or crash reports. Pad Cloud only has standard server access logs for rate limiting and abuse detection.
Does it work offline?
Self-hosted Pad works fully offline with no network dependency. Pad Cloud requires an internet connection by definition.
Where does my data go?
Self-hosted Pad stores everything in a single SQLite database at ~/.pad/pad.db with no cloud, sync, telemetry, or analytics. Pad Cloud uses managed PostgreSQL with encrypted backups.
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