# Bambuddy

> Self-hosted, local-first command center for Bambu Lab 3D printers. Replaces the Bambu Lab cloud (Bambu Handy app, Bambu Studio cloud sync) for users who want LAN-only operation, no vendor account, and full control of their print history.

Bambuddy runs in Docker (recommended) or natively in Python on any LAN-reachable host. It supports the full current Bambu Lab lineup — A1, A1 Mini, P1P, P1S, P2S, X1C, X1E, H2D, H2S, H2C — and scales from a single printer to a 40+ printer farm. License: AGPL-3.0 (relicensed from MIT on 2026-03-10).

## Try it

- [Live demo](https://demo.bambuddy.cool): Browser-based, ephemeral per-visitor container — about 10 seconds to spin up your own private Bambuddy instance with a 30-minute session. No install, no signup. Use this to evaluate before installing.

## Install and docs

- [Installation guide](https://bambuddy.cool/installation.html): Docker one-liner; native Python is also supported.
- [Full documentation wiki](https://wiki.bambuddy.cool): Setup, features, troubleshooting, community add-ons.
- [GitHub repository](https://github.com/maziggy/bambuddy): Source, issues, releases.

## Key features

- **Print fleet dashboard** — real-time monitoring of every printer over local MQTT, no cloud round-trip.
- **Print queue and scheduling** — auto-start, AMS slot mapping, multi-printer dispatch, build-plate detection, queue auto-drying when humidity is high.
- **Print archive** — thumbnails, time and material stats, cost tracking, failure analysis, energy cost via smart-plug integration.
- **Spool inventory** — local inventory or [Spoolman](https://github.com/Donkie/Spoolman) integration; RFID matching for Bambu spools.
- **Server-side slicing** — bundled sidecar runs OrcaSlicer or Bambu Studio headlessly. Slice STL or 3MF to printable G-code from any browser with one click; no desktop slicer required.
- **MakerWorld integration** — browse and import models from MakerWorld.com directly into your library.
- **Virtual Printer (Proxy Mode)** — Bambu Studio and OrcaSlicer connect to Bambuddy as if it were the printer; Bambuddy forwards to the real printer. Works over Tailscale or any VPN for remote printing without exposing the printer to the internet.
- **AI failure detection** — optional [Obico](https://github.com/TheSpaghettiDetective/obico-server) integration for ML-based failed-print detection.
- **Authentication** — optional multi-user with permissions, 2FA (TOTP and email OTP), OIDC/SSO, LDAP.
- **Notifications** — email, Discord, ntfy, Home Assistant, Telegram, generic webhook.
- **Database** — SQLite (default, single host) or PostgreSQL (recommended for multi-printer farms under load).
- **Localization** — English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).

## What Bambuddy replaces

- **Bambu Handy app** — phone-based print monitoring and starting. Bambuddy provides the same in a web UI you self-host, plus features the Handy app doesn't have (queue, archive, multi-printer, multi-user).
- **Bambu Studio cloud sync** — Bambuddy stores prints locally; the optional Proxy Mode lets Bambu Studio connect to your printers remotely without going through Bambu's cloud at all.
- **Bambu Cloud account** — not required. Bambu Lab printers can run in LAN-only mode with Developer Mode enabled; Bambuddy connects directly over MQTT and FTP.

## Press coverage

- [Tailscale Engineering Blog](https://tailscale.com/blog/bambuddy-bambu-lab-3d-printer-access) (May 2026) — "Bambuddy: self-hosted 3D printing beyond the vendor cloud", by Kevin Purdy.
- [XDA-Developers](https://www.xda-developers.com/finally-have-full-control-bambu-lab-printer-ditched-bambu-cloud/) (March 2026) — Adam Conway: "the companion app that Bambu Lab should have built from day one."
- [How-To Geek](https://www.howtogeek.com/free-your-bambu-lab-3d-printer-from-the-cloud/) — Tim Brookes.
- [Fabbaloo](https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/bambuddy-launches-as-open-source-alternative-to-bambu-labs-cloud) — "features seem to exceed those provided by Bambu Lab's own cloud."
- [Igor's Lab (DE)](https://www.igorslab.de/en/bambuddy-the-silent-alternative-to-the-bamboo-cloud/).
- [3Druck (DE)](https://3druck.com/en/programs/bambuddy-open-source-tool-replaces-bambu-cloud-for-management-and-automation-of-3d-print-jobs-38153226/) — "list of functions seems so extensive that it even goes beyond what Bambu Lab offers in its own cloud."
- [Full press list with pull-quotes](https://bambuddy.cool/press.html).

## Community

- [Discord](https://discord.gg/aFS3ZfScHM) — community chat, Q&A, fastest response.
- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/maziggy/bambuddy/issues) — bug reports and feature requests.
- [Sponsor on GitHub](https://github.com/sponsors/maziggy) — Bambuddy is funded by direct community sponsorship. No VC, no acquisition target.

## Optional

- [SpoolBuddy](https://wiki.bambuddy.cool/spoolbuddy/) — companion NFC hardware for spool identification, DIY (Raspberry Pi based).
- [BamButton](https://wiki.bambuddy.cool/community/bambutton/) — third-party physical print-start button, integrates with Bambuddy via API.
- [bambuddy-mcp](https://wiki.bambuddy.cool/community/bambuddy-mcp/) — third-party MCP server letting LLM agents query Bambuddy printer state.
- [Comparison to alternatives](https://bambuddy.cool/comparison.html) — Bambuddy vs Bambu Handy vs OctoPrint vs Klipper.
- [Features page](https://bambuddy.cool/features.html) — visual marketing-side overview with screenshots.
- [User reviews](https://bambuddy.cool/reviews.html) — first-party testimonials.