---
created: 2026-03-15
updated: 2026-03-15
status: planned
---
# Migration: TrueNAS to Ubuntu + Coolify

## Motivation

- TrueNAS is storage-first OS; not ideal for general-purpose app hosting and experimentation
- Server idles 99% of the time — underutilized capacity
- Coolify provides one-click app installs and git-push deploys (useful as a Laravel developer)
- Current setup makes experimenting with new apps slow (e.g., OpenClaw took 3-4 hours)

## Current Setup

- **OS:** TrueNAS Scale (Debian-based) on NVMe SSD (`nvme0n1`)
- **Storage:** ZFS stripe pool `tank` on two separate disks (~29T total, ~14.8T used)
- **Services:** Traefik, Gitea, Servarr stack (Gluetun/ProtonVPN, qBittorrent, Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Prowlarr, Bazarr, Recyclarr), CrowdSec, Dozzle, Watchtower
- **Paths:** Stacks at `/mnt/tank/stacks/`, configs at `/mnt/tank/configs/`, media at `/mnt/tank/media/`

## Target Setup

- **OS:** Ubuntu Server on NVMe SSD
- **Storage:** Same ZFS stripe pool `tank`, imported as-is
- **Management:** Coolify for app deployment and management
- **Services:** Same as before, plus easy deployment of new apps and Laravel projects

## Migration Plan

### Before Wiping TrueNAS

1. **Document network config** — static IP, DNS settings, hostname, router port forwards
2. **Back up compose files and configs** — copy `/mnt/tank/stacks/` and `/mnt/tank/configs/` to USB stick or laptop (they're on the ZFS pool and will survive, but be safe)
3. **Export the ZFS pool cleanly:**
   ```bash
   zpool export tank
   ```
4. **Note disk identifiers** for the pool (already known from `zpool status`)

### Install Ubuntu

5. **Install Ubuntu Server** on the NVMe SSD (wipes TrueNAS)
6. **Set up networking** — replicate static IP, hostname, DNS

### Restore Storage

7. **Install ZFS support:**
   ```bash
   sudo apt install zfsutils-linux
   ```
8. **Import the pool** at the same mount point:
   ```bash
   sudo zpool import -d /dev/disk/by-id tank
   ```
   Pool should appear at `/tank` — if paths need to match old config, set the mountpoint:
   ```bash
   sudo zfs set mountpoint=/mnt/tank tank
   ```
9. **Verify data integrity:**
   ```bash
   zpool status tank
   zpool scrub tank
   ```

### Install Coolify

10. **Install Coolify** (one-liner from their docs)
11. **Decide on reverse proxy strategy:**
    - Option A: Use Coolify's built-in Traefik — simplest, let Coolify manage SSL and routing
    - Option B: Keep existing Traefik + CrowdSec config — more control, but manage it outside Coolify
    - Do NOT run both on port 443 simultaneously
12. **Re-deploy services** via Coolify using existing Docker Compose files from `/mnt/tank/stacks/`

### Post-Migration

13. **Verify Servarr stack** — confirm VPN routing through Gluetun works
14. **Verify Gitea** — confirm repos are accessible
15. **Set up disk monitoring:**
    ```bash
    sudo apt install smartmontools
    ```
16. **Set up ZFS scrub cron** (Ubuntu may set this up automatically, verify)
17. **Test deploying a Laravel project** via git push to confirm Coolify workflow

## Gotchas

- **Mount point must match** — Docker Compose files reference `/mnt/tank/...` paths
- **Coolify has its own Traefik** — conflicts with existing Traefik if both claim port 443
- **ZFS pool must be exported cleanly** before wiping TrueNAS, otherwise force-import is needed
- **Servarr stack VPN routing** through Gluetun may need network config adjustments in Coolify's Docker environment