Choose Your Deployment Model

Before you install, select the deployment model that matches your organization's requirements:

Cloud SaaS — NudgeBee hosts and manages the server control plane for you. You only install the NudgeBee Agent on each Kubernetes cluster you want monitored (or connect a cloud account for instant discovery). Generate your auth key in the UI and go straight to Agent Installation.
Self-Hosted — You run the NudgeBee Server inside your own Kubernetes cluster, giving you full data ownership and air-gapped support. Deploy the Server first, then install the Agent on each monitored cluster.

Scope & Infrastructure Prerequisites

Kubernetes-Specialized: NudgeBee monitors Kubernetes workloads.

Have Kubernetes clusters to monitor? Choose either Cloud SaaS or Self-Hosted.
No Kubernetes clusters at all? The self-hosted server requires a Kubernetes cluster (v1.27+) to run on. If you do not have Kubernetes infrastructure, self-hosting is not an option — use Cloud SaaS, and add clusters when you are ready to monitor them.

Decision Matrix

Use the table below to determine the exact path for your setup:

Your Situation	Recommended Model	Where to Go
Want fastest start & zero infra management	Cloud SaaS	Agent Installation (or Cloud Account Discovery)
Strict data residency / air-gapped environment	Self-Hosted	Server Installation → then Agent Installation
Evaluating free open-source edition	Self-Hosted (Community)	Server Installation (select Community edition)
No Kubernetes clusters yet	Cloud SaaS	Sign up at app.nudgebee.com — add clusters when ready

Server Installation — (Self-hosted only) Deploy the central control plane, Semantic Knowledge Graph, and workflow engine to your Kubernetes cluster.
K8s Agent Installation — (Everyone) Install the lightweight collector DaemonSet and runner into each Kubernetes cluster you want to monitor.
Proxy Agent — (Optional) Deploy secure proxy connectivity to private datasources, isolated databases, or internal endpoints.