Can AI replace Cabin?

KINDA · weekend project
price variesbuild time weekend to multi-daycategory 📊 analyticsreplaced by 0 peoplebuild unverified

The visible privacy web analytics loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Cabin earns its keep through ingestion, storage, reliability, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.

the prompt
Build a deliberately narrow personal substitute for Cabin, not a full clone.
Use exactly this stack: Next.js 15 + TypeScript + ClickHouse + PostgreSQL.
Primary job: Build a narrow privacy web analytics collector for one site or app, ingest first-party events, and show a small set of decision-ready reports.
Start from an empty folder and create the complete working project.
Make the default mode single-user and private.
Store user data locally unless the core job requires the declared self-hosted database.
Do not add analytics, telemetry, ads, or third-party accounts.
Put every secret and external credential in .env and provide .env.example.
Use realistic sample data that is clearly labelled and easy to delete.
Implement the smallest polished interface that completes the core loop end to end.
Include clear empty, loading, validation, success, and failure states.
Add import and export so the user is not trapped in the app.
Use accessible keyboard navigation, labels, focus states, and sensible contrast.
Validate untrusted input and never log secrets or private file contents.
Deliberately exclude these paid-product advantages: bot and identity resolution; session replay privacy tooling; enterprise governance and integrations.
Do not fake integrations, network effects, proprietary data, model quality, compliance, or security claims.
Where an external API is optional, keep the app useful without it and explain the degraded mode.
Write focused unit tests for the data model and the most important workflow.
Add one end-to-end smoke test that proves the core loop works.
Create a README with setup, permissions, architecture, data location, backup, and limitations.
Add scripts for install, development, test, build, and a production-style local run.
Run the tests and build before finishing, then fix errors rather than merely describing them.

$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter) or copy it raw · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR

why people still pay

Cabin: Customers pay for trusted numbers, retention, privacy controls, and a pipeline that remains accurate while traffic and schemas change.

what you lose

xbot and identity resolution

xsession replay privacy tooling

xenterprise governance and integrations

xhigh-volume ingestion and retention

prior art · use these instead of building, if you'd ratherPlausible AnalyticsOpen-source privacy-focused web analytics.UmamiLightweight self-hosted web analytics.
share on X ↗"I just replaced Cabin with one prompt"
questions
Can AI replace Cabin?

Kinda. The core of Cabin is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: bot and identity resolution, session replay privacy tooling. Read the honest list above before committing.

How much does Cabin cost?

Cabin's pricing is usage-based or varies by plan — The official pricing URL is recorded, but a stable current amount was not safely recoverable in this pass. Do not publish a number until rechecked..

What do I lose by replacing Cabin?

Honestly: bot and identity resolution; session replay privacy tooling; enterprise governance and integrations; high-volume ingestion and retention. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Cabin?

Yes — Plausible Analytics (Open-source privacy-focused web analytics.), Umami (Lightweight self-hosted web analytics.). Using prior art is also a valid exit; the prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.