Welcome to HomeLab. A YSWS where you ship projects related to having a self hosted server at home, and we ship things to help you create your own setup (or update a setup you already have!)
HomeLab is a Hack Club YSWS program where you ship projects related to having a self hosted server at home, and we ship things to help you create your own setup (or update a setup you already have!)
HomeLab has started already if you are reading this! Start tracking time. The deadline for projects to be submitted is the 31st of January 2026 11:59PM (EST).
We are fairly open to this, however creating a random project that is "hosted on a home server" doesn't count. This means you can't build an unrelated website and just claim you can host it on a home server. Instead, ideas include a website that lets you automate tasks and processes on your network, a file explorer based on storage on a NAS, etc. You could also do a hardware project such as a 3d printed server rack.
You can make as many project as you would like, as well as contribute them all to your hour total to spend on rewards. Rewards pretty much work like a shop balance where your hours are you balance, and you can buy any amount of things.
You must be YSWS eligible (18 years or under) and a participant of Hack Club.
Yes! HomeLab is a Hack Club program and completely free to participate. Find out more at hackclub.com.
No, you cannot double dip with other YSWS programs.
Each project submitted must have at least 3 hours tracked towards it using hackatime.hackclub.com. Projects must also be in a working and shippable state.
AI coding can be used for at most 20% of the code written. All readmes must also be human written.
- Project on a GitHub repo with frequent commits (at least 1 every 4
hours, if not your hours may be reduced!)
- Project has tracked at least 3 hours.
- Project is written with not more than 20% of AI
- You have a working and live demo. (for hardware this can be a
picture or video, they must be physically made)
Earn hours by building projects and spend them on hardware for your homelab!
1 hour = 10 
ethernet cables
No Limits!
you can never have enough!
10
perfect for booting and installing OS!
20
Keep your setup organized and clean
30
8-port Gigabit switch for your network
40
Upgrade your server to 2.5Gb networking
60
perfect for monitoring your servers!
70
Fast storage for your projects
100
Basic battery backup and surge protection
120
More storage for your homelab
160
High-speed 10Gb networking for serious homelabs
200
NAS-grade storage built for 24/7 workloads
300
The latest and most powerful Pi
300
Compact and powerful mini PC
360
Efficient mini computer for your lab
400
Reliable UPS for servers and NAS systems
400
High-capacity NAS storage for growing labs
500
Professional NAS solution
600
Massive storage capacity
750
High-performance mini workstation
760
Advanced 4-bay NAS system
850
Premium 4-bay NAS solution
1300