# Kaneo README for Developers: Complete Guide to Setup, Deployment, and Contribution

> Explore the Kaneo README for developers. Get essential setup, deployment, and contribution info for the usekaneo kaneo repository. Start building today!

- Repository: [kaneo.app/kaneo](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-04

---

**Yes, the Kaneo repository includes a comprehensive top‑level [`README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/README.md) that provides all essential information developers need to understand, build, and contribute to the project, from quick‑start deployment to detailed development setup.**

The Kaneo codebase is an open‑source project management platform built as a monorepo with a Hono backend and React frontend. Whether you want to deploy a production instance or hack on the source, the README and its companion documents form a complete developer onboarding path according to the usekaneo/kaneo source code.

## What the Kaneo README.md Contains

The [`README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/README.md) file at the repository root serves as the primary entry point. It organizes information into five key areas that address the full developer lifecycle.

### Project Overview and Philosophy

The README opens with a concise description of Kaneo's purpose: a lightweight, self‑hosted project management tool emphasizing speed, privacy, and developer ergonomics. This section establishes the core values that guide architectural decisions and contribution standards.

### Quick‑Start Deployment Options

Kaneo offers three deployment paths, each documented with copy‑paste ready commands:

- **`drim` CLI** – One‑click automated setup that provisions TLS, database, and services
- **Docker Compose** – Standard containerized stack with PostgreSQL
- **Helm chart** – Kubernetes deployment via the `charts/kaneo/` directory

These options let developers evaluate Kaneo in minutes before diving into source modifications.

## Development Setup in the Kaneo README

The README provides explicit step‑by‑step instructions for local development that align with the monorepo structure defined in [`CLAUDE.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CLAUDE.md).

### Clone and Install Dependencies

```bash

# Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo.git
cd kaneo

# Install all monorepo dependencies

pnpm install

```

The project uses **pnpm workspaces** to manage the `apps/api/` and `apps/web/` packages.

### Configure Environment Variables

```bash

# Copy the sample environment file and edit required values

cp .env.sample .env

```

The README directs developers to set critical secrets including `AUTH_SECRET` and `POSTGRES_PASSWORD`, with a pointer to [`ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md) for exhaustive variable documentation.

### Launch Development Servers

```bash

# Start both API and web servers in watch mode

pnpm dev

```

This command concurrently runs the Hono backend and React frontend with hot‑reload enabled.

## Docker‑Compose Deployment from the README

For containerized local development or production deployment, the README includes a complete [`compose.yml`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/compose.yml) specification (lines 74‑104 of [`README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/README.md)):

```yaml
services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    env_file: [.env]
    ports: ["5432:5432"]
    volumes: [postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data]

  kaneo:
    image: ghcr.io/usekaneo/kaneo:latest
    ports: ["5173:5173"]
    env_file: [.env]
    depends_on:
      postgres:
        condition: service_healthy

volumes:
  postgres_data:

```

Deploy with:

```bash
docker compose up -d

```

## Companion Documentation Beyond the README

The README strategically delegates detailed topics to specialized files, creating a documentation hierarchy that scales with developer needs.

### CONTRIBUTING.md

Located at the repository root, this document specifies:

- Pull request workflow and branch naming conventions
- Code style requirements (enforced via the monorepo's linting setup)
- Testing procedures and CI expectations

### ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md

This file contains the exhaustive reference for all environment variables:

- Required variables for core functionality
- Optional variables for feature toggles
- Troubleshooting guidance for common configuration errors

### CLAUDE.md

An internal conventions document that defines:

- Monorepo package structure (`apps/`, `packages/`, `charts/`)
- Build commands and tooling versions
- Linting and formatting standards

### Kubernetes Helm Chart Documentation

For Kubernetes deployments, [`charts/kaneo/README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/charts/kaneo/README.md) provides values reference and installation instructions.

## Automated Deployment with drim CLI

The README documents the fastest path to production:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://assets.kaneo.app/install.sh | sh
drim setup

```

The `drim` tool automates TLS certificate provisioning, database initialization, and service orchestration—ideal for developers who want to run Kaneo without manual infrastructure configuration.

## Key File Reference for Kaneo Developers

| File | Path | Purpose |
|------|------|---------|
| Primary developer guide | [`README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/README.md) | Overview, deployment, dev setup |
| Contribution workflow | [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) | PR guidelines, testing, style |
| Environment reference | [`ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md) | Variable specifications |
| Internal conventions | [`CLAUDE.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CLAUDE.md) | Monorepo structure, tooling |
| Backend source | `apps/api/` | Hono + PostgreSQL implementation |
| Frontend source | `apps/web/` | React + TanStack implementation |
| Helm documentation | [`charts/kaneo/README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/charts/kaneo/README.md) | Kubernetes deployment guide |

## Summary

- **The Kaneo [`README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/README.md)** provides comprehensive developer onboarding with project overview, three deployment methods, and step‑by‑step local development instructions.
- **Quick deployment options** include the `drim` CLI for automated setup, Docker Compose for containerized stacks, and Helm charts for Kubernetes.
- **Local development** requires `pnpm install`, `.env` configuration with secrets like `AUTH_SECRET`, and `pnpm dev` to start both servers.
- **Companion documents** extend the README: [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) for contribution standards, [`ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md) for environment variables, and [`CLAUDE.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CLAUDE.md) for internal conventions.
- **Source code organization** follows a clear monorepo structure with `apps/api/` for the backend and `apps/web/` for the frontend.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the Kaneo README include production deployment instructions?

Yes, the README documents production‑ready deployment via the `drim` CLI for automated infrastructure, Docker Compose for standard container orchestration, and a Helm chart in `charts/kaneo/` for Kubernetes environments. Each method includes copy‑paste configuration and verification steps.

### What environment variables are required to run Kaneo locally?

The README requires `AUTH_SECRET` for session encryption and `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` for database access at minimum. For the complete variable specification—including optional features and troubleshooting—developers should consult [`ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md) as linked from the README.

### How do I contribute code to the Kaneo project?

Follow the workflow in [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md), which the README references for pull request procedures, branch naming, code style enforcement, and testing requirements. The monorepo uses pnpm workspaces, so all commands run from the repository root.

### Is there documentation for the Kubernetes Helm chart?

Yes, the [`charts/kaneo/README.md`](https://github.com/usekaneo/kaneo/blob/main/charts/kaneo/README.md) file provides dedicated documentation for Kubernetes deployments, including values reference, configuration examples, and upgrade procedures. The main README links to this resource for operators deploying to clusters.