> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.learnpack.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Intro to Self-Hosted for Creators

> Compare self-hosted LearnPack with paid cloud plans: manual local setup and limited features versus AI generation, Rigobot tutoring, SCORM export, and real-time insights.

### Using LearnPack for Free vs Paid Plans

LearnPack can run **locally for free** or as **paid cloud plans**. The free, self-hosted mode gives full control with manual setup. Paid plans add **AI course creation**, **Rigobot** (AI assistent), **SCORM export**, and **real-time insights**, all optimized for humans and **LLM-powered** workflows. ⚙️

<Columns cols={2}>
  <div>
    <Card title="Self-Hosted (Free, Local)" icon="wrench">
      <b>What you get:</b>

      <ul style={{ listStyle: 'disc', paddingLeft: '1.2rem', margin: '0.5rem 0' }}>
        <li>Install: <code>npm install -g @learnpack/learnpack</code></li>
        <li>Init with <code>learnpack init</code>, edit <b>learn.json</b></li>
        <li>Write Markdown quizzes, publish via CLI</li>
        <li>Audit with <code>learnpack audit</code></li>
      </ul>

      <b>Limitations:</b>

      <ul style={{ listStyle: 'disc', paddingLeft: '1.2rem', margin: '0.5rem 0' }}>
        <li>No <b>LearnPack's AI assistent</b></li>
        <li>No one-click generation</li>
        <li>No cloud hosting</li>
      </ul>
    </Card>
  </div>

  <div>
    <Card title="Paid Creator Plans (Cloud)" icon="sparkles">
      <b>What you unlock:</b>

      <ul style={{ listStyle: 'disc', paddingLeft: '1.2rem', margin: '0.5rem 0' }}>
        <li>Fast setup with AI-assisted editing</li>
        <li><a href="/rigobot/how-learnpacks-ai-mentor-tutor-works"><b>Rigobot</b></a> guidance (context + memory + Socratic)</li>
        <li>Interactive checks in one click (<a href="/creating-courses/adding-quizzes-projects-and-open-ended-tasks"><b>quizzes & projects</b></a>)</li>
        <li>Share a link or <a href="/publishing-and-exports/exporting-to-scorm-and-embedding-in-lms"><b>export SCORM</b></a></li>
        <li>Insight into engagement and progress</li>
      </ul>

      <b>Pricing:</b>

      <ul style={{ listStyle: 'disc', paddingLeft: '1.2rem', margin: '0.5rem 0' }}>
        <li>\${50}/month per teacher <b>+ package cost</b></li>
      </ul>
    </Card>
  </div>
</Columns>

## Self-Hosted (Free, Local Mode)

**What you can do:**

* Install globally with `npm install -g @learnpack/learnpack`.
* Initialize tutorials with `learnpack init`.
* Configure options in **learn.json** (grading, delivery, telemetry).
* Write quizzes in Markdown.
* Publish via CLI.
* Audit with `learnpack audit`.

**Limitations:**

* No **Rigobot** tutor.
* No one-click course generation.
* No cloud hosting.
* Updates and maintenance are manual.

<Callout type="tip">
  <b><span style={{color:"#4F46E5"}}>Tip for builders:</span></b> If you prefer full local control, start with the free mode, then move content to the cloud when you need AI editing, tutoring, or <b>SCORM</b> portability.
</Callout>

## Paid Creator Plans (Cloud)

What you unlock:

* **Fast setup:** answer a few questions, get a full course.
* **Rigobot integration:** context-aware, memory-based, Socratic prompts (<a href="/rigobot/contextual-guidance-and-socratic-learning"><b>learn more</b></a>).
* **Interactive elements:** quizzes, projects, assignments in one click (<a href="/creating-courses/adding-quizzes-projects-and-open-ended-tasks"><b>how to add</b></a>).
* **AI editing:** rewrite, expand, simplify any section.
* **Cloud publishing:** share a link or <a href="/publishing-and-exports/exporting-to-scorm-and-embedding-in-lms"><b>export SCORM</b></a>.
* **Insights:** engagement, progress, and frustration tracking (<a href="/self-hosted/creators/telemetry-configuration"><b>telemetry options</b></a>).

<Callout type="success">
  <b><span style={{color:"#4F46E5"}}>Why teams choose Paid:</span></b> faster iteration, embedded <b>Rigobot</b> support in-lesson, and LMS-ready output. See <a href="/rigobot/how-rigobot-improves-completion-rates"><b>how Rigobot improves completion rates</b></a>.
</Callout>

## Comparison Rubric

| **Feature**         | **Free (Self-Hosted)**                | **Paid (Cloud, \${50}/month + packages)** |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Installation**    | Local via `npm`                       | Cloud, minimal setup                      |
| **Course creation** | Manual init, config, Markdown quizzes | **AI one-click generation**               |
| **Tutor**           | None                                  | **Rigobot** (context-aware, Socratic)     |
| **Publishing**      | Manual CLI                            | **Share link** or **SCORM export**        |
| **Editing**         | Code/Markdown                         | **AI editing** (refine, expand, simplify) |
| **Quizzes**         | Markdown checklists                   | **Auto-generated, interactive, tracked**  |
| **Updates**         | Manual edits                          | **AI-assisted, in seconds**               |
| **Insights**        | None                                  | **Real-time analytics**                   |

## Next up

<Columns cols={2}>
  <div>
    <Card title="LearnPack Quick Start" href="/self-hosted/creators/learnpack-quick-start" icon="rocket">
      Install globally, initialize a project, and scaffold exercises.
    </Card>

    <Card title="LearnPack Configuration" href="/self-hosted/creators/learnpack-configuration" icon="sliders">
      Editor, grading, and delivery settings in <b>learn.json</b>.
    </Card>
  </div>

  <div>
    <Card title="Export to SCORM / Embed in LMS" href="/publishing-and-exports/exporting-to-scorm-and-embedding-in-lms" icon="box-open">
      Publish to your LMS with SCORM or embed directly.
    </Card>

    <Card title="How LearnPack’s AI Mentor Works" href="/rigobot/how-learnpacks-ai-mentor-tutor-works" icon="robot">
      See how <b>Rigobot</b> delivers hyper-personalized guidance.
    </Card>
  </div>
</Columns>

## See also

* [self-hosted/creators/grading-learnpack-tutorials](/self-hosted/creators/grading-learnpack-tutorials)
* [self-hosted/creators/telemetry-configuration](/self-hosted/creators/telemetry-configuration)
* [self-hosted/students/telemetry-in-learnpack](/self-hosted/students/telemetry-in-learnpack)