BENJAMIN.S.POWELL.
// PORTFOLIO_V2.0 // ESTABLISHED 1978 — ONLINE

Benjamin S Powell is a homelab creator, self-hosting educator, and technical product manager based in Thailand. He makes practical videos and guides about home servers, self-hosted apps, open-source software, local AI, LLMs, Docker, Unraid, automation, and replacing subscription services with tools you can run yourself.

Through YouTube, TikTok, Our Local Host, and his self-hosted projects, Benjamin helps people build private, capable home labs without depending on big-tech subscriptions. His work covers local AI models, self-hosted ChatGPT alternatives, NAS and home-server setups, home automation, document management, media servers, networking, and AI-powered workflows.

View Projects → About →
RoleFull Stack Technical Product Manager
FocusAI · Product · Homelab
Index7 Active · 10 Inactive
Status● Taking select collaborations
// 02

Selected Work

[07]

Apps, Chrome extensions and self-hosted systems I actively build and support.

01 active
Directory / Web app

Our Local Host

A searchable directory of self-hosted apps and open-source alternatives — find what's supported on your home OS and get away from big tech while staying high-tech.

Open → Live ↗
02 active
Web App

Datatruck

AI-routed form submissions with auto CC, summaries and tagging. Forward forms to one endpoint and let AI deliver them to the right inboxes.

Open → Live ↗
03 active
Chrome Extension

SendHub

Build unlimited custom forms in the browser and POST JSON to any webhook or endpoint — instantly. Built for power-users of Make, Zapier and no-code tools.

Open → Chrome ↗
04 active
Web App

VdoPage

Create branded video landing pages with YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia or direct MP4/M3U8. No code, custom URL, share in minutes.

Open → Live ↗
05 active
Self-hosted AI platform

Chatbarry

My self-hosted replacement for ChatGPT / Claude desktop — multimodal agent chats, projects, agents and scheduled tasks, on usage-based cost instead of a subscription.

Open →
06 active
Chrome Extension

Stagehand

Draw arrows, highlights and spotlights on any page while you screen-record — simple on-screen annotation for instructional videos, demos and walkthroughs.

Open → Chrome ↗
07 active
Chrome Extension

QuickMap

Local, private flowcharts in your browser. Drag, drop, connect and export — no sign-ups, no cloud, no fuss.

Open → Live ↗
// 03

Case Studies

[09]
2025.08.22

How I used ChatGPT to code and deploy BongoCat.

Read → After BetterCast, I wanted to experiment with AI as my 'virtual CTO'. BongoCat was my first major project—an attempt to build a self-writing, self-optimising website—and along the way I learned how to direct ChatGPT to code, deploy, and stitch systems together.
2024.05.08

Implementing a Comprehensive Video Management System for Squash Courts

Read → A practical, cost-effective video system for six squash courts: always-on streaming, coach controls, internal hosting on Unraid, and clear paths to scale and secure.
2024.05.03

Upviral - Transforming the Campaign Creation Workflow at Upviral

Read → Upviral's campaign creation workflow by simplifying the user journey, implementing agile methodologies, and enhancing customer satisfaction, leading to significant business results.
2024.05.02

AdSoup - Revolutionising Multi-Channel CRM for Small Businesses in Asia

Read → Discover how AdSoup transformed multi-channel communication for small businesses in Asia by integrating WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Line, and more into a seamless CRM, enabling faster lead conversion and efficient sales pipeline management.

All writing →