Self-Hosted AI Software Development
Complete control over the code
An AI coding assistant like Copilot, but for AI software development using code on your own infrastructure: we integrate tools like OpenCode with a self-hosted model and connect GitLab and your IDEs. Autocomplete, refactoring, tests, and documentation—all in compliance with data protection regulations.
Code stays in-house
Your source code isn’t sent to GitHub or Microsoft. The AI runs on your infrastructure or through NETWAYS Managed Services in the EU.
In your editor
VS Code, JetBrains, and others are integrated via OpenAI-compatible plugins, so the team doesn’t have to switch tools.
GitLab Integration
AI directly in repositories, merge requests, and CI/CD. Right where your growth is happening anyway.
Model of your choice
Open-weight code models hosted in-house or a Frontier model like Claude via API, depending on the task.
Predictable costs
No “Pro-Seat” trap: Open-Weight models offer great value; you pay per user for operation rather than per-license fees.
GDPR & Compliance
Processing in our own data center or in the NETWAYS Web Services Cloud (EU, ISO 27001). All set for IP protection and audits.
The Problem with Common AI Coding Assistants
AI Software Development with coding assistants such as Copilot significantly speeds up the work enormously, but the popular cloud services process your source code on third-party servers.
Code Flows into Third-Party Clouds
Copilot & Co. send source code to U.S. providers. For industries with protected intellectual property and those subject to regulation, this is often a no-go.
Per-Seat Costs & Lock-in
License per developer; does not affect the model or operations. In addition, costs rise as the team grows.
No reference to one’s own code
Generic wizards aren’t familiar with your internal libraries, conventions, and repositories. That’s why their suggestions are only half as good.
Here’s How to Build Your Own Self-Hosted AI Software
Four steps, identical for every NETWAYS solution: from the right tools to productive, privacy-compliant AI software development.
Analysis & Concept
→ A setup that fits your stack—not an off-the-shelf solution.
Setup & Integration
→ Developers continue to work in their usual editor.
Implementation & Team Enablement
→ Realistic expectations and a professional approach instead of hype.
Support & Operations
→ A reliable assistant without its own MLOps team.
Building Blocks of Your Solution
For each module, you decide how much you manage yourself and where you rely on NETWAYS services.
Coding Assistant
A self-hosted assistant like OpenCode is your alternative to Copilot: it provides autocomplete, refactoring, explanations, and tests—all without requiring a cloud connection.
Result: familiar convenience, without having to enter a code.
Model Backend
Effect: Code is processed locally or within the EU.
IDE Integration
Integration with VS Code, JetBrains, and other editors via OpenAI-compatible plugins without disrupting your daily workflow.
Result: Get up and running right away with the tools you’re used to.
GitLab & CI
AI directly in repositories, merge requests, and pipelines. For reviews, commit messages, and routine tasks in CI/CD.
Impact: AI where your development takes place.
What You’ll Achieve
Develop More Productively · IP Protected · Full Control
Develop More Productively
Autocomplete, refactoring, testing, and documentation are all faster to complete. The team avoids falling into a rut and stays in the flow.
IP remains protected
Your source code never leaves your infrastructure. This is important for protected processes and regulated industries.
Full Control
You decide on the model, operation, and costs yourself. No vendor lock-in, no dependence on a single provider.
What is your solution built with?
Proven open-source components, operated in-house or through NETWAYS Managed Services. You decide what you’ll do yourself and what NETWAYS will handle.
vLLM
Runs the code model efficiently on your hardware and provides an OpenAI-compatible API, either self-hosted or as a Managed AI Model via NMS.
OpenWebUI
Chat interface for developers: Ask questions about coding knowledge, search your repos and documentation using RAG—all internally.
n8n
Connects the wizard to CI/CD and other systems and triggers routines, such as automatic review comments or changelogs.
GitLab
We’ll integrate what you’re already using with
Thanks to its OpenAI-compatible interface, the assistant integrates seamlessly into your existing development environment without requiring any special adjustments.
Coding Assistants
- OpenCode
- Continue
- Tabby
- Cline / Roo Code
Repos & CI/CD
- GitLab
- GitHub (self-managed)
- CI/CD pipelines
- Merge Requests
Operations & Privacy Policy
- In-house data center
- NWS Cloud (EU)
- ISO 27001
- 24/7 MyEngineer
IDEs & Editors
- VS Code
- JetBrains
- Neovim
- Claude Code
Model & Backend
- vLLM
- NWS AI
- Open-Weight Code Models
- Claude (API)
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions About This Solution
What is AI software development with a self-hosted assistant?
AI software development with a self-hosted assistant means that a tool like Copilot does not run in a third-party cloud, but on your own infrastructure or with NETWAYS Managed Services in the EU. Your source code remains in-house.
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Copilot?
Yes, there is a self-hosted Copilot alternative. Tools like OpenCode offer Copilot-like features—such as autocomplete, refactoring, and explanations—but can be used with a custom model. When used in combination with vLLM or NWS's Managed AI Models, you retain full control over your code.
What is OpenCode?
OpenCode is an open-source AI coding assistant that can be self-hosted and connected to a language model of your choice. Here's how to get AI support in the IDE without sending source code to an external cloud service.
