Posthumous: A Federated Dead Man's Switch

📰 Dev.to · Alex Towell

Learn how to set up Posthumous, a self-hosted dead man's switch for automated alerts and actions, and why it matters for personal and professional security

intermediate Published 10 Apr 2026
Action Steps
  1. Install Posthumous on a self-hosted server using Docker or a similar containerization platform
  2. Configure TOTP for periodic check-ins and set up alert stages
  3. Set up automated actions using webhooks or API calls
  4. Test the setup to ensure correct functioning and alert triggering
  5. Configure escalation policies for repeated unavailability or failed check-ins
Who Needs to Know This

DevOps and security teams can benefit from Posthumous to ensure timely alerts and actions in case of unavailability or emergencies, while individual developers can use it for personal security and peace of mind

Key Insight

💡 Posthumous provides a reliable and automated way to trigger alerts and actions in case of unavailability, ensuring timely response and minimizing downtime

Share This
🚨 Set up Posthumous, a self-hosted dead man's switch, to automate alerts and actions in case of emergencies or unavailability 🚨

Key Takeaways

Learn how to set up Posthumous, a self-hosted dead man's switch for automated alerts and actions, and why it matters for personal and professional security

Full Article

A walkthrough of Posthumous, a self-hosted dead man's switch that monitors periodic check-ins via TOTP, progresses through escalating alert stages, and triggers automated actions if you stop responding.
Read full article → ← Back to Reads

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