> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nolongerevil.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hosted Service Overview

> Get started with No Longer Evil in under 30 minutes

## What is the Hosted Service?

The No Longer Evil hosted service is a **plug-and-play solution** that allows you to liberate your Nest Thermostat from Google's cloud without setting up your own server infrastructure.

<Info>
  **Perfect for beginners!** If you can follow step-by-step instructions and plug in a USB cable, you can successfully set up No Longer Evil.
</Info>

## How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Flash Firmware">
    Download the firmware installer and flash custom firmware to your Nest Gen 1 or Gen 2 thermostat via USB.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Firmware Redirects Traffic">
    The firmware modifies the network layer to redirect all traffic from Google servers to `backdoor.nolongerevil.com`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Account">
    Register a free account at [nolongerevil.com](https://nolongerevil.com) to manage your devices.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Claim Device">
    Use a 7-character entry code from your thermostat to link it to your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Controlling">
    Access your thermostat through the web dashboard from anywhere in the world!
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What You'll Need

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Nest Gen 1 or Gen 2" icon="temperature-half">
    Confirmed compatible device

    [Check compatibility →](/compatibility)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Computer" icon="laptop">
    Linux or macOS (Windows/WSL not supported)
  </Card>

  <Card title="USB Cable" icon="usb">
    Mini USB (Gen 1) or Micro USB (Gen 2)
  </Card>

  <Card title="15-30 Minutes" icon="clock">
    Gen 2: 15-30 min | Gen 1: 30-45 min (requires teardown)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## After Installation

Once setup is complete, your thermostat will:

* ✅ Connect to No Longer Evil servers instead of Google
* ✅ Function normally for heating and cooling
* ✅ Be accessible via the web dashboard at nolongerevil.com
* ✅ Retain all its features (scheduling, auto-away, etc.)
* ❌ No longer appear in the Google Nest app
* ❌ No longer send data to Google servers

## Ready to Get Started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation Guide" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="/hosted/installation">
    **Step-by-step instructions** to flash firmware and set up your thermostat
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="life-ring" href="/hosted/troubleshooting">
    Solutions to common issues during setup
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Prefer Complete Control?

If you're comfortable with server administration and want complete data ownership:

<Card title="Self-Hosted Setup Guide" icon="server" href="/self-hosted/overview">
  Host your own No Longer Evil infrastructure
</Card>