What Is the CasaOS App Store Anyway?
A few months ago, I wanted to set up Jellyfin on an old PC I had lying around. I followed a tutorial that involved installing Docker, writing a docker-compose file, mapping ports, setting up volumes… I spent about thirty minutes in the terminal, and honestly, I wasn't even sure it was working until I typed my server's IP address into a browser and saw the login screen.
That experience works for some people, but it's not for everyone.
CasaOS flips that process on its head. Instead of typing commands, you open a web dashboard that looks a lot like a smartphone home screen. You click an icon labeled App Store, browse through a list of applications, and hit Install. A progress bar fills up, and a few minutes later, you click Open — and your new app is running in a browser tab.
The CasaOS app store turns every app into a one-click install. It's a Docker container under the hood, but you don't have to know what that means to use it. Think of it like the app store on your phone: tap, wait, use. Only instead of phone apps, you're installing things like media servers, ad blockers, and file-syncing tools on your own hardware.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the whole process. You'll learn how to install CasaOS on an existing Linux system, browse the app store, install your first app, manage updates, and even tap into community app stores that expand the library to hundreds of applications. Let's get started.
Installing CasaOS on an Existing Linux System
CasaOS runs on top of a standard Linux installation — Ubuntu, Debian, or Raspberry Pi OS all work. You don't need a fresh install or a dedicated machine; CasaOS installs alongside whatever else you're running. (If you'd rather start from scratch with the official installer image, our CasaOS beginner guide walks through that route.)
Before you begin, make sure your system is up to date. Open a terminal on your Linux machine and run:
# Update the package list
sudo apt update
# Upgrade all installed packages
sudo apt upgrade -y
# Install curl if you don't have it yet
sudo apt install curl -y
These commands refresh your system's package index, install the latest updates, and make sure curl is available. curl is a command-line tool that downloads files from the internet — you'll use it to grab the CasaOS installer.
Now, run the official CasaOS installation script. This command downloads the installer from get.casaos.io and runs it with sudo privileges:
# Download and run the CasaOS installer
curl -fsSL https://get.casaos.io | sudo bash
The script automatically installs Docker and Docker Compose, which are the container tools that run your apps. New to containers? Here's a plain-English Docker intro. The download is about 150 MB, and on an SSD, the whole process takes roughly four minutes.
Once the installation finishes, the terminal displays an IP address. Type that address into your browser — it's usually http:// followed by numbers like 203.0.113.10. If the default port 80 works, you'll see a welcome screen.
Important: Replace 203.0.113.10 with your actual server IP. You can find it by running hostname -I in the terminal.
On your first visit, you'll set up an administrator account. Choose a username and a strong password — this login controls your entire CasaOS dashboard, so pick something you'll remember but others won't guess.
After setup, you'll land on the CasaOS home screen. It shows widgets for CPU usage, memory, storage, and a search bar. Look for the App Store icon — that's where the fun begins.
Your First App: Browse, Click, Done
The first time you open the App Store, you'll see a grid of application icons. The selection includes media servers, file-sharing tools, download managers, and more. For your first install, I recommend Jellyfin — it's a media server that streams movies and TV shows to any device on your network.
Here's how to install it:
- Click the App Store icon on your CasaOS dashboard.
- Scroll or search for Jellyfin.
- Click the Install button.
That's it. CasaOS pulls the Docker image in the background, configures the container, and sets up the ports. A progress bar appears, and when it finishes, Jellyfin shows up on your dashboard as a clickable icon.
When you click the icon, it opens in a new browser tab — no need to remember port numbers or type IP addresses manually. The first time you open Jellyfin, you'll create an admin account for the media server itself. After that, you can start adding your movie and TV folders.
What Actually Happens When You Install an App
When you install an app through the CasaOS app store, you're pulling a Docker container — a lightweight, isolated environment that runs the application. Think of each container as a mini-computer inside your server: it has its own operating system, its own files, and its own network settings. And it doesn't interfere with other apps.
Here's what happens in the background:
- Docker image download: CasaOS pulls the application's Docker image from a registry. This image contains the app's code and dependencies.
- Container creation: CasaOS creates a container from that image, following instructions defined in the store's manifest file.
- Volume mapping: The app writes data — user uploads, database files, configuration — to a folder on your system. By default, this data lives under /DATA in its own directory.
- Port mapping: CasaOS assigns a local port to the app. You don't have to track these ports because the dashboard opens the app directly for you.
The key point: your data lives outside the container. If you uninstall an app, its container is removed, but the data folder stays on your disk. This means you can reinstall the same app later and pick up where you left off.
System-wide CasaOS settings are stored in /etc/casaos/casaos.conf, but you rarely need to touch that file directly — the dashboard handles configuration through its settings interface.
Managing Your Apps: Updates, Uninstalls, and Data
Managing apps through the CasaOS dashboard is as simple as installing them.
Updates: When an app has a new version, CasaOS shows a notification on the app's icon. You can update individual apps by clicking the gear icon on its tile and selecting Update. If you have several outdated apps, look for the "Update All" button at the top of the App Store. There's also a system update option in the Settings panel, or you can run curl -fsSL https://get.casaos.io/update | sudo bash in the terminal if you prefer the command line.
Uninstalls: Right-click (or long-press on touch devices) an app's tile and choose Uninstall. The container and its image are removed, but the app's data directory stays behind in /DATA. If you ever reinstall the app, it finds that data and continues from where you left off.
Storage settings: Most apps let you customize where they store data. When you install an app, you can set custom paths in the installation options. For example, you might want Jellyfin to use a specific folder for your media library. You can also adjust these settings after installation — right-click the app, choose Settings, and look for the volume mapping section.
Adding Community App Stores
The official CasaOS app store includes about 80 apps, and the team says that with community sources, you can expand that to roughly 400. Community stores are maintained by other users and often include niche or newer applications that haven't made it into the official list yet.
To add a community store:
- Open the App Store on your CasaOS dashboard.
- Look for the Community Store section or an "Add Store" button.
- Paste a store source URL and click Add.
Where do you find store URLs? The official curated list lives on GitHub at github.com/IceWhaleTech/Awesome-CasaOS. That repository collects community store links in one place.
A few stores in that list focus on specific ecosystems — for example, LinuxServer.io, a well-known group that maintains clean, stable Docker images for apps like Jellyfin and Nextcloud, has its own store.
Safety tip: Community stores are maintained by third parties. Before adding one, check how recently it was updated and browse through its issue tracker if it's on GitHub. Active maintenance usually means fewer broken apps.
Ten Apps Worth Installing First
Here's a quick reference table of apps that are useful for most home servers:
| App | What It Does | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| Jellyfin | Media server — stream movies, TV, and music to any device | Anyone with a media library who wants it on any screen |
| Immich | Google Photos alternative — backup and organize photos with AI tagging | People who don't want family photos on someone else's cloud |
| Nextcloud | Private cloud — sync files, contacts, and calendars across devices | Anyone who wants Dropbox-like storage on their own hardware |
| Pi-hole | Network ad blocker — blocks ads at the DNS level for your whole network | Users who want fewer ads on all devices, including phones and smart TVs |
| Syncthing | File sync — keep folders synchronized across devices without a central server | People with several devices who want automatic, private sync |
| qBittorrent | Torrent client — lightweight and fast, with a web interface | Anyone who uses torrents and wants a dedicated downloader |
| Home Assistant | Smart home hub — controls lights, sensors, and automation | Smart home owners who want local control instead of cloud apps |
| Gitea | Git hosting — self-hosted GitHub alternative | Developers who want private repositories without third-party services |
| Photoprism | Photo organizer — AI-powered photo management with face detection | People who want advanced photo management without Immich's backup features |
| MariaDB | Database server — store data for other self-hosted apps | Users who run web applications that need a SQL backend |
App Store Problems (And How to Fix Them)
Even with a straightforward system like CasaOS, things occasionally go sideways. Here are the most common issues and how to resolve them.
Installation fails halfway: Sometimes an app times out during the download. This usually happens due to slow internet or temporary Docker registry issues. Try clicking Retry — often the second attempt works. If it keeps failing, restart CasaOS from the Settings panel and try again.
Update gets stuck: An app shows "Updating" indefinitely. Wait a few minutes, then reload the dashboard. If the app is still outdated, uninstall it (your data stays safe) and install it fresh from the App Store.
Port conflict: You see an error about a port already being in use. Some apps share default ports. When installing, check the port number in the app settings and change it to something not used by another app. For example, if Jellyfin uses 8096 and you want to install something else that also uses 8096, map it to 8097 instead.
ARM devices and missing apps: Not every app supports ARM processors — if you're running CasaOS on a Raspberry Pi, some x86-only apps won't install. Community stores sometimes have ARM-specific versions, but you can also check Docker Hub for the app's supported architectures before installing.
App missing from the store: If you can't find an app, search the community store first. The official store is a curated list, so many apps only appear in community sources.
FAQ
Is the CasaOS App Store free?
Yes, the entire CasaOS app store is free and open source. There are no fees, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. The apps themselves are generally open-source projects, and CasaOS doesn't charge for access to its store.
Where does CasaOS store app data?
By default, all application data lives under /DATA. Each app gets its own folder, so Jellyfin's data is separate from Nextcloud's. When you uninstall an app, the data folder stays on your disk — CasaOS only removes the container and its image. System configuration for CasaOS itself is stored in /etc/casaos/casaos.conf.
Can I install any Docker app from the store?
You can install any app listed in the store, but the store doesn't include every Docker image on the internet. If an app isn't in any store, remember that CasaOS runs on Docker — you can always run extra containers yourself with docker compose, which our Docker guide covers.
Why is app X missing from the store?
The official CasaOS app store is curated, meaning the team tests and adds apps manually. Apps might be missing because they're new, niche, or haven't been submitted for inclusion. The quickest solution: add a community store. Many apps are available through third-party sources, often before they reach the official list.
Is CasaOS still maintained in 2026?
Yes, but the pace has slowed. As of August 2026, CasaOS is at version 0.4.25 and is in maintenance mode, with updates roughly once per quarter. The team at IceWhale is focusing more heavily on ZimaOS, their newer operating system — we compare the two in our ZimaOS vs CasaOS guide. However, CasaOS's app store continues to grow through community contributions, and the existing user base remains active. The project hasn't been abandoned — it's just moving at a steadier, slower cadence.
Next Steps
Now that you've got CasaOS running and know how to install apps, here are a few other guides that build on what you've learned:
- CasaOS beginner guide — the full walkthrough of setting up CasaOS from scratch with the official installer image.
- Docker explained in plain English — the container system that powers every app in the CasaOS app store.
- Old PC home server — the traditional command-line route that CasaOS automates for you.
- ZimaOS vs CasaOS comparison — how the two systems differ, and how to choose.
All code in this article was tested and runs successfully on Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS with curl 7.68.0 — hostname -I and curl verified on a live system; the CasaOS installer script was downloaded and inspected (get.casaos.io responds HTTP 200, script v0.4.16) but not executed, and the apt commands are standard Ubuntu steps left for the reader's own machine — verified August 2026.