Open-Source DevOps · usekaneo

kaneo

Kaneo is an open-source, self-hosted project management platform built with TypeScript and React that positions itself as a lightweight alternative to Jira and Linear. It emphasizes a clean, minimal interface and fast performance, with deployment options via Docker Compose, Helm, or a CLI tool called drim.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/usekaneo/kaneo

3.8k

GitHub stars

366

Forks

TypeScript

Primary language

MIT

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	usekaneo/kaneo
Owner	usekaneo
Primary language	TypeScript
License	MIT — OSI-approved
Stars	3.8k
Forks	366
Open issues	51
Latest release	v2.9.0 (2026-06-30)
Last updated	2026-07-07
Source	https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo

What kaneo is

A full-stack TypeScript application (frontend: React, backend: Hono) that uses PostgreSQL for persistence and supports containerized deployment via Docker and Kubernetes. The codebase is actively maintained with recent releases and a modular architecture supporting both monolithic and distributed deployments.

Quickstart

Get the kaneo source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo.git2cd kaneo3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Small to mid-size teams seeking lightweight project management

Kaneo's philosophy of minimal, focused features makes it suitable for teams that find traditional tools bloated. Self-hosting keeps data on-premise and avoids vendor lock-in.

Organizations with strict data residency or privacy requirements

Self-hosted deployment with PostgreSQL backend allows full control over data location and compliance posture. Useful for regulated industries or teams uncomfortable with SaaS.

Development teams already invested in modern cloud-native infrastructure

Native Docker and Kubernetes support (Helm charts provided) integrates well with existing DevOps pipelines and container orchestration stacks.

Implementation considerations

PostgreSQL database setup is mandatory; plan for persistence, backups, and disaster recovery before deployment.
Environment variable configuration is required (AUTH_SECRET, DATABASE_URL, KANEO_CLIENT_URL); follow ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md to avoid CORS and configuration pitfalls.
Docker Compose is fastest for evaluation; production deployments should use Helm charts or drim CLI for better lifecycle management.
Initial data migration from incumbent tools (Jira, Linear, etc.) is not documented in the README; contact community or review docs for export/import tooling.
Team onboarding may be quick given minimal UI, but process alignment discussions are needed to ensure simplified workflow matches your team's practices.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Your team requires extensive integrations with enterprise tools — README does not document native integrations with Slack, GitHub, GitLab, or other services. Custom integrations would require development effort.
You need advanced reporting, analytics, or customizable workflows — Kaneo's design philosophy deliberately minimizes features. If your process demands complex automation or deep reporting, this tool may feel limiting.
You require commercial SaaS support with guaranteed uptime SLAs — While a cloud option exists (cloud.kaneo.app), the README does not detail SLA terms, support tiers, or commercial guarantees. Self-hosting shifts operational burden to you.
You cannot operate or maintain database infrastructure — Self-hosted deployment requires managing PostgreSQL and at least basic container orchestration. Teams without DevOps capacity may struggle with long-term operation.

License & commercial use

MIT License (permissive, OSI-approved). Allows commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions. Full license text should be reviewed, but MIT is a standard, clear permissive license with no copyleft obligations.

MIT license permits commercial use, including closed-source derivatives and proprietary deployments. However, the README does not document paid support, commercial guarantees, or vendor backing. If you plan to commercialize a fork or resell hosted instances, verify with the maintainer (andrejsshell) whether there are undocumented expectations or dual-licensing terms.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Moderate
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Self-hosted deployment shifts security posture management to you: database encryption, network isolation, TLS termination, and secret management (AUTH_SECRET) are your responsibility. README does not discuss authentication mechanisms, role-based access control, or vulnerability disclosure process. No security audit or third-party assessment is mentioned. Evaluate code for secrets in logs, SQL injection risks, and access control before production deployment.

Alternatives to consider

Jira Server/Data Center

Enterprise-grade, feature-rich, self-hosted option with mature ecosystem. Requires license cost and higher operational overhead; best for large teams.

Linear

Modern, SaaS-first with clean UX and strong integrations. No self-hosting option; vendor lock-in; higher cost per seat but lower operational burden.

Plane

Another open-source, self-hosted project management alternative with similar philosophy. Compare feature set and community maturity directly.

Software development agency

Build on kaneo with DEV.co software developers

Deploy Kaneo in minutes using Docker Compose, or contact our team to evaluate a managed cloud instance. Join the Discord community for support and to connect with other users.

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kaneo FAQ

Can I migrate my data from Jira or Linear to Kaneo?

Not documented in the README. Check kaneo.app/docs or contact the Discord community for export/import tools or scripts.

What are the minimum system requirements for self-hosting?

Requires Docker, PostgreSQL 16+, and enough compute for your team size. Exact specs not stated in README; refer to documentation or test with Docker Compose first.

Is there a managed cloud option if I don't want to self-host?

Yes, cloud.kaneo.app is mentioned. Details on pricing, SLA, and support are not in the README; visit the website or contact sales.

How do I integrate Kaneo with my CI/CD or Slack workflow?

Not documented in README. Likely requires custom API development against the Hono backend or community-contributed integrations. Check Discord or GitHub issues for examples.

Work with a software development agency

Adopting kaneo is usually one piece of a larger software development effort. As a software development agency, DEV.co provides software development services and web development expertise — pairing senior software developers and web developers with your team to design, build, and operate open-source devops software in production.

Ready to simplify your project management?

Deploy Kaneo in minutes using Docker Compose, or contact our team to evaluate a managed cloud instance. Join the Discord community for support and to connect with other users.

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