Celebrating 5 Million Downloads | Winners Are Here

See the selected ZimaOS setups from our community challenge.

May 22 – June 22 Reddit Only Winners on June 26
 
Announced on June 24

Winners Announced

Thank you to everyone who shared their ZimaOS setup. Here are the selected entries from our 5M Downloads Community Challenge.
#1
My first Home Server
Top 1 Community Favorite
u/dede279
men***843@gmail.com
My first Home Server
A first-time home server built from an old laptop, showing how ZimaOS makes it easy to start self-hosting, install apps, store personal data, and explore tools like Hermes Agent out of the box.
View Reddit Post
#2
My FIRSTTT homelab
Top 2 Community Favorite
u/Emotional_Pumpkin_77
cho***an8@gmail.com
My FIRSTTT homelab
A practical budget-built home server using ZimaOS to organize daily files and projects, with Tailscale for remote access, Nextcloud for self-hosted cloud storage, Hermes for document sorting, and n8n for background automations.
View Reddit Post
#3
College Student ZimaOS Build (Bananas for scale)
Top 3 Community Favorite
u/_-__-__-__-__-__-__1
shi***423@gmail.com
College Student ZimaOS Build (Bananas for scale)
A college student’s budget homelab built on a Dell OptiPlex 7040, using ZimaOS to explore self-hosted music, cloud storage, Minecraft, media streaming, smart home tools, ad blocking, AI experiments, and future photo backup, all while reducing reliance on monthly subscriptions.
View Reddit Post
Prize Awarded
Bonus

All Valid Participants

Valid participants can choose a ZimaOS Plus activation code or $30 Zima Gift Card as a thank-you reward.
ZimaOS Plus
Zima Merch

Your NAS OS, Your Way

A simpler way to build your personal cloud, home server, and self-hosted workflow.

ZimaOS helps you turn your device into a personal space for files, media, apps, backups, remote access, and everyday self-hosting. Whether you use it for a homelab, family storage, Docker apps, or your own private cloud, every setup can look different and that's exactly what this campaign is about.

Introducing ZimaOS 1.6 & Zima Client 1.5: The NAS That Adapts to You

Introducing ZimaOS 1.6 & Zima Client 1.5: The NAS That Adapts to You

ZimaOS 1.6 brings more personalization and flexibility to your NAS, while Zima Client 1.5 makes remote access and management easier from your iPhone.

Customize

Personalized UI

Custom wallpaper, login screen, workspace layout, and device labels.

USB RAID

Flexible Storage Expansion

Manage USB storage devices and build RAID 0/1/5/6 your way.

Zima Client App

All-New Mobile Experience

Redesigned UI, upgraded Files management, and a smoother photo backup experience.

Remote access

Connect Your Way

Access your server using local IP, custom domain, public IP, or Magic DNS on Zima Client iOS.

Community Entries

See what ZimaOS users are sharing on Reddit, real dashboards, app stacks, workflows, and setup stories from the community.

Entries shown here are for inspiration only. Winners are selected based on campaign rules and eligible Reddit posts.

Self-Hosted Media Stack with ZimaOS
Media Server

Self-Hosted Media Stack with ZimaOS

A real ZimaOS setup for photos, Pi-hole, Jellyfin, *arr apps, ROMs, VPN-isolated downloads, and 8TB drive storage.

Device: Mini PC + 6-bay TerraMaster DAS running ZimaOS
By: u/ArinijusYT_89
View on Reddit →
First Homelab with ZimaOS
Beginner Homelab

First Homelab with ZimaOS

A beginner-friendly ZimaOS setup for media hosting, ad blocking, Minecraft, backups, YouTube files, and learning new homelab projects.

Device: Dell Optiplex 3010 running ZimaOS
By: u/mrcosti
View on Reddit →
College Student Homelab with ZimaOS
Budget Homelab

College Student Homelab with ZimaOS

Docker containers for all my projects. Fast, reliable, and easy to manage.

Device: Dell OptiPlex 7040 running ZimaOS
By: u/_-__-__-__-__-__-__1
View on Reddit →
ZimaOS to ZimaBoard 2 Build
NAS & Docker

ZimaOS to ZimaBoard 2 Build

Started with ZimaOS, then built a ZimaBoard 2 setup for NAS storage, Docker apps, AdGuard, Immich, Jellyfin, Tailscale, and future router experiments.

Device: ZimaBoard 2 1664 Starter Pack
By: u/Ok-Nectarine6833
View on Reddit →
Family Apps & Minecraft with ZimaOS
Family Server

Family Apps & Minecraft with ZimaOS

A ZimaBlade setup for Minecraft servers, ebooks, audiobooks, Plex, OwnCloud, Mealie, and easy ZimaOS backups.

Device: ZimaBlade 7700 running ZimaOS Plus
By: u/Nice_Day7655
View on Reddit →
Private Local AI on ZimaBoard
Local AI

Private Local AI on ZimaBoard

A ZimaBoard setup running a local AI assistant trained on personal data, keeping private context, self-hosted services, and workflows under the user’s control.

Device: ZimaBoard
By: u/Funny_Crazy_5630
View on Reddit →
Private Git & File Server on ZimaOS
Dev Server

Private Git & File Server on ZimaOS

A Dell PowerEdge R710 setup using ZimaOS as a private Git server, file server, ZVM/QEMU environment, and AI stress-testing machine.

Device: Dell PowerEdge R710 running ZimaOS
By: u/officerdown_dev
View on Reddit →
Family Media & Homelab with ZimaOS
Family Media

Family Media & Homelab with ZimaOS

Started as a simple way to access media across devices, then grew into a family-friendly homelab with SMB sharing, Tailnet access, productivity services, and self-hosted media.

Device: Old Mac mini + external drive running ZimaOS
By: u/sonicgundam
View on Reddit →
CasaOS to ZimaOS Home Server
Personal Cloud

CasaOS to ZimaOS Home Server

Migrated from CasaOS to ZimaOS on an OptiPlex 5070 SFF, using it for Jellyfin, fast downloads, remote access, mobile photo backup, and family file sharing.

Device: Dell OptiPlex 5070 SFF running ZimaOS
By: u/basha1996
View on Reddit →
Two Weeks with ZimaOS
Linux Migration

Two Weeks with ZimaOS

Moved from a Windows-based setup to ZimaOS for Jellyfin, Linkwarden, Nextcloud, Tailscale, Kubuntu VM, SMB shares, and always-on home server testing.

Device: i3 4th Gen PC running ZimaOS
By: u/Far-Information-8683
View on Reddit →
From Plex Server to ZimaOS Homelab
Homelab Journey

From Plex Server to ZimaOS Homelab

Started with an old Plex server, then moved from Ubuntu and CasaOS to ZimaOS for easier self-hosting, remote access, mobile app, DAS storage, Plex, Immich, Pi-hole, Tailscale, and ARR apps.

Device: GMKtec NUC + external DAS running ZimaOS
By: u/AppropriateYellow675
View on Reddit →
ZimaBoard 2 as a Quiet Home Server
Compact Home Server

ZimaBoard 2 as a Quiet Home Server

A low-power ZimaBoard 2 setup for Jellyfin, Immich, Pi-hole, Uptime Kuma, SMB file storage, UPS backup, and future HDD expansion.

Device: ZimaBoard 2
By: u/Connect_7224
View on Reddit →

Need Ideas? Start Here.

Your ZimaOS post doesn't need to be perfect. Share your real setup, workflow, apps, ideas, or favorite features - the community wants to see how you use it.

Show Your ZimaOS Desktop
UI CUSTOMIZATION

Show Your ZimaOS Desktop

Share your wallpaper, login screen, workspace layout, or drive labels.

My ZimaOS dashboard after customizing my workspace.

Tell Your Workflow Story
WORKFLOW

Tell Your Workflow Story

Show how ZimaOS helps with media, backups, remote access, local AI, or home server tasks.

How I use ZimaOS for family backups and remote access.

Share Your Daily Apps
APP STACK

Share Your Daily Apps

Show the apps you run every day, like Plex, Jellyfin, Immich, Docker, Time Machine, or ZVM.

My ZimaOS app stack for media, backup, and self-hosting.

Share What You Want Next
IDEAS & FEEDBACK

Share What You Want Next

Tell us your favorite feature, what should improve, or what you hope to see in future updates.

My favorite ZimaOS feature and what I'd love to see next.

Tip: Your post can be simple. A screenshot, a short setup story, or one useful idea is enough to join.

Rewards & Winner Selection

Share your ZimaOS setup on Reddit. The most upvoted eligible posts will win Zima gear and every valid participant can receive a thank-you reward.

Winners Announced: June 26

How We Pick Winners

Winners are mainly selected by Reddit upvotes. To keep the challenge fair, all winning entries must pass Zima's eligibility review.

Reddit upvotes Originality Real ZimaOS usage Setup clarity Community value

Important: Low-effort, duplicated, stolen, spammy, or suspiciously voted entries may be excluded.

A Few Simple Rules

Keep it original, public, and easy for us to review.

Original Posts Only

Your Reddit post must be created by you.

Keep It Public

Your post must stay public during the campaign period.

Submit Before June 22

Submit your Reddit post link on this page before the deadline.

Keep It Relevant

Your post should be about your ZimaOS setup, workflow, favorite feature, or feedback.

Fair Play & Reward Notes

  • Reposted, copied, or stolen content will be disqualified.
  • Duplicate, low-effort, spam, or suspiciously voted entries may be excluded.
  • Prizes may be subject to local import duties, taxes, or shipping restrictions.
  • If selected or featured, we may ask for permission to share your post on Zima's official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All ZimaOS users worldwide are welcome! Whether you use ZimaBoard, ZimaBlade, ZimaCube, a mini PC, or any other x86 device, you're welcome to participate.

  • Absolutely. We'd love to see both advanced setups from experienced users and honest experiences from new users.

  • Yes. Each entry should be posted as a separate Reddit post. However, each participant can only win once.

  • Your post should include at least one screenshot or photo of your ZimaOS setup, along with a short description of how you use it. The more details you share, the better.

  • We recommend communities such as r/homelab, r/selfhosted, r/HomeServer, r/ZimaBoard, r/degoogle, or any other relevant community you like.

  • Yes. Video demos, screen recordings, and real hardware footage are all welcome.

  • We recommend blurring or cropping out sensitive information such as IP addresses, domain names, API keys, or private credentials. We want to see your ZimaOS story, not your private data.

  • Please submit your Reddit post link and your commonly used email address.

  • We encourage you to publish a new post during the campaign period, from May 22 to June 21. If you have a suitable post from the past month, you may also submit it, but please note this in the submission form.

  • The winners will be announced on June 26 and contacted via the email address submitted in the form.

  • Your email address will only be used for this campaign, including winner notifications and necessary follow-up. It will not be used for marketing without your consent.

  • Selected entries may be featured on Zima's official social media, website, or forum. We will credit your Reddit username when sharing your content.

  • For any other questions, please contact us at community@icewhale.org.