Series: Building a Development Environment with Only an iPhone
- Part 1: Choosing a VPS — Why Hetzner CX43 is the Best Option
- Part 2: How to Use Claush by Connecting to Your Home Server via VPN (this article)
- Part 3: VPS vs Home Server Comparison (coming soon)
Introduction
Instead of using a VPS, you can leverage a PC or Mac you already have at home as a server. With a home server + VPN setup, there are no monthly fees, and you can use your existing machine directly as a development environment.
The hardware requirements are the same as described in the VPS article — Claude Code itself uses almost no resources. Since a home server is your own dedicated machine, required specs depend on what you run on it, but an old PC is more than sufficient for managing websites or editing files.
Hardware You Can Use as a Home Server
| Hardware | Features |
|---|---|
| Spare PC or Mac | Easy to get started |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | Low power, quiet. Sufficient for light tasks |
| Old laptop | Low power consumption. Good for always-on operation |
| NAS (Synology, etc.) | Docker-compatible models can run Claude Code |
Why Do You Need a VPN?
A home server is typically inside your home’s local network. To access it from your iPhone while out and about, you need a way to connect over the internet.
There are two main approaches:
| Method | Overview | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Port forwarding (direct SSH exposure) | Open a router port for SSH | △ Dangerous. Not recommended |
| VPN | Connect to the local network via a VPN tunnel | ◎ Secure |
Exposing a port directly to the internet carries significant security risks. Using a VPN is the right choice.
Three VPN Options
There are three main ways to set up a VPN connection. Choose based on your environment and preferences.
Option 1: Router Built-in VPN (Easiest)
Many home routers (Buffalo, NEC, ASUS, etc.) have a built-in VPN server. With a compatible router, you can create a VPN environment without installing anything on the home server itself.
- Enable the VPN server (L2TP/IPSec or IKEv2) in your router’s admin panel
- Enter the connection details in iPhone’s “Settings → General → VPN”
- No app required — the simplest method available
Option 2: Tailscale (Easiest App to Configure)
Tailscale is a VPN service that enables P2P connections with just an account registration.
# Install on home server
curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh
sudo tailscale up
Just install the Tailscale app on your iPhone and log in. No router configuration needed — connect from anywhere.
Option 3: WireGuard (Most Flexible)
WireGuard is a fast, lightweight VPN protocol. Best for those who want fine-grained control.
# Install on home server (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install wireguard -y
There’s an official WireGuard app for iPhone that lets you import settings via QR code. You need to open UDP port 51820 on your router.
Connecting with Claush via SSH
After connecting via VPN, open Claush’s server settings and enter your home server’s local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10) or the IP address assigned by Tailscale as the hostname. From there, it works just like any regular VPS.
Things to Watch Out For
Static IP Required (Router VPN and WireGuard)
Your home internet connection’s IP address may change (dynamic IP). Using a DDNS service (such as the free Duck DNS) lets you access via a domain name. This issue does not apply when using Tailscale.
Cost of Always-On Operation
A home server can’t be turned off. Keep in mind you’ll be paying for electricity. A Raspberry Pi costs only a few hundred yen per month.
Home Internet Speed
Claush’s SSH is mainly text-based, so a typical fiber connection is more than adequate.
Summary
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Those with a spare PC / those wanting to minimize monthly costs |
| Not ideal for | Those who dislike configuration / those who prefer the convenience of a VPS |
| Easiest method | Router built-in VPN + iPhone VPN settings |
| Easiest app method | Tailscale |
| Cost | Electricity only (a few hundred yen/month for Raspberry Pi) |
In Part 3, we’ll do a thorough comparison of VPS vs home server across cost, convenience, and specs.
This is Part 2 of the series. See also Part 1: Choosing a VPS.