I put these guides together to help you get comfortable with ZimaOS — whether you just opened the box or have been using it for a while.
Setup and Storage
Start here after your first boot. Three things to get right.
- Get Started — language, network, and account setup
- Features Overview — a walkthrough of Data Station, app management, and settings
- Storage Setup — choose the right drives for your use case
- RAID Options — detailed RAID configuration reference
- App Storage Paths — set where your app data is stored
Sync and Backup
Once the basics are set, bring your content in and decide where everything lives.
- Phone Backup — automatic photo and file backup from your phone
- Computer Backup — Finder, Explorer, and scheduled backup for laptops
- Photos — the library for everything you shoot
- Photos Supported Formats — what Photos reads and plays
- Connect Cloud Drives — pull data out of Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive
- Connect Another NAS — move files over or add it to your backup plan
- Data Migration — the built-in tool when a drive fills up
- 3-2-1 Backup — the backup plan that protects it all
Access and Share
Once your data is in place, make it accessible.
- Remote Access — reach your ZimaOS when you are away from home
- Tailscale & WireGuard — the standard protocol path
- Download ZimaClient — install the desktop app to browse files
- Thunderbolt Direct Connect — the fastest cable between your computer and the NAS
- SMB File Sharing — share files across your local network
- Share via Link — generate a link to share files without an account
- Samba Multi-User — per-user access control for Samba shares
Install Methods
Different ways to get ZimaOS running, depending on your setup.
- Install ZimaOS — write the image to a USB drive and boot your device
- Install on Proxmox — run ZimaOS as a virtual machine
- Migrate from CasaOS — move your setup from CasaOS to ZimaOS
- Reset Password — recover or change your ZimaOS password
System
Keep your device running smoothly.
- UPS Setup — protect against power outages
- System Recovery — restore ZimaOS after a failure
- Reset Network Settings — fix network problems by resetting
- Offline Installation — install ZimaOS without an internet connection
- Search Function — find files across your NAS
- Time Machine Backup — back up your Mac to ZimaOS over the network
Next
You do not need to learn everything at once. Take whichever path matches what you are working on.
- Compare devices: Hardware Overview — ZimaCube, ZimaBoard, and ZimaBlade side by side
- Run apps: App Store Overview — media servers, self-hosted apps, and AI agents
- Go deeper: Dev Overview — ZFS, RAID, networking, and the ZimaOS API