How I Save $1,483 per Month Using Claude Code as My Server Admin
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A developer migrated multiple Node.js/TypeScript apps from Heroku to a Hetzner dedicated server running Dokku, saving ~$1,483/month. The entire migration — server setup, Dokku installation, SSL, GitHub webhook auto-deploy, and Postgres database migration — was performed by Claude Code via SSH without the author typing a single command. The post covers the full setup: why Dokku was chosen over Coolify/CapRover, DNS configuration with Cloudflare, Let's Encrypt SSL, GitHub webhook-based auto-deploy using adnanh/webhook, and step-by-step Postgres migration from Heroku. Cost comparison shows Hetzner at $52.24/mo vs $1,536/mo equivalent on Heroku, with honest caveats about the lack of auto-scaling and load balancing on a single-server setup.
Table of contents
ContentsThe Plot Twist: I Didn't Write a Single CommandWhy DokkuSetting Up the ServerChoosing a DomainSSL CertificatesDeploying Your First AppGitHub Auto-Deploy with WebhooksMigrating a Postgres Database from HerokuManaging Repo Settings with the GitHub CLIWhat It CostsThe Tools That Made It WorkCopy My SetupSort: