New installation
Check the hardware, verify the installer (amd64 ISO, or the arm64 image from 1.1.1), install, and complete the first-boot setup. Install FreeSense →
FreeSense 1.1 is Stable
The supported FreeSense release line. A REST API, custom package repositories, a rebuilt Package Manager, VXLAN, encrypted remote backups, and a reworked WebUI, all on a pinned FreeBSD 16 base.
Stable 1.1 is the supported production documentation. FreeSense 1.1.0 replaces the 1.0.x line, which no longer receives routine fixes. Use the version menu for the experimental 1.2 Development line or the frozen 1.0 documentation.
What’s new in 1.1
Section titled “What’s new in 1.1”REST API and API ExplorerA versioned JSON API under /api/v1 with per-user keys, the same privileges as the WebUI, and a built-in endpoint explorer.
Custom package repositoriesAdd your own signed pkg repositories or FreeBSD's, always ranked below the official FreeSense repositories.
Rebuilt Package ManagerSearchable package lists with category, status and source filters, a review step before every change, and a live output console.
Reworked WebUI navigationGrouped System, Services, Status and Diagnostics menus, Ctrl+K menu search, and rebuilt list and editor pages.
VXLAN interfacesLayer 2 overlays over unicast or multicast, assignable and bridgeable like any other interface.
Encrypted remote backupsUpload encrypted configuration backups to S3-compatible storage, WebDAV or SFTP on a schedule or after each change.
Rebuilt Boot Environments pageOne list with create, edit and clone dialogs for ZFS boot environments, which upgrades on ZFS clone before they change the system.
Threat Shield and DNS ProtectionDNS filtering with AdGuard Home, IP threat lists, country blocking and a live threat map. pfBlockerNG is no longer offered.
Secure Web GatewayForward proxy and web access policies, with working local antivirus scanning in 1.1.
Security fixesFixes for the WebUI issues covered by advisories SA-26_05 to SA-26_21, plus related hardening.
Security advisoriesWhich FreeBSD security advisories are open, fixed or not relevant for FreeSense 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2, and FreeSense's own bugs and issues.
1.1.11: current Stable releaseSupersedes 1.1.10 with the same PHP 8.5.12 security fix; the ZFS and UFS cloud images are back, with the VMware tools. Nothing to do first.
Previous 1.1 releasesRelease notes for 1.1.0 to 1.1.10: the PHP 8.5.12 security patch, RADIUS and PHP 8 fixes, Stable arm64, Threat Shield 1.1.0, and working updates.
The tour of FreeSense 1.1 explains each change and where to find it in the WebUI.
Start here
Section titled “Start here”Upgrading from 1.0
Back up the configuration, check your packages, then upgrade in place. The upgrade is one-way. Upgrade from 1.0 →
Cloud deployment
Choose a UFS or ZFS disk image, import QCOW2 or raw GPT, and provision from metadata. Deploy a cloud image →
Optional packages
Browse the curated catalog, install packages, and add custom repositories. Explore packages →
Automate with the API
Enable the REST API, create a key for a user, and make your first request. Start with the API →
Developers
Build optional packages, integrate a package with the WebUI, and add menu entries. Build a package →
Navigate the platform
Section titled “Navigate the platform”Base OSFirewalling, routing, interfaces, integrated services, built-in VPN, and system administration.Explore Base OS →
Optional packagesPackages grouped by job, with installation, lifecycle, operating notes, and package-specific guides.Explore packages →
Operate with confidenceUpdates, monitoring, diagnostics, boot environments, and recovery for an installed system.Operate FreeSense →
Documentation editions
Section titled “Documentation editions”Stable 1.1You are here. Supported production releases: 1.1.0 and later 1.1.x patch releases.
Development 1.2Experimental, unsupported, rebuilt nightly. For contributors and disposable lab systems.
FreeSense 1.0 (frozen)The 1.0.x documentation as it was at 1.0.7. No longer maintained.
One edition, fully open
Section titled “One edition, fully open”FreeSense has a single edition. Every feature described here is in the same free build, and the base system, optional packages, and build pipeline are public and Apache-2.0 licensed. FreeSense sends no telemetry and needs no account. Read the introduction for the project’s origins and how releases are built and signed.