FAQ
Frequently asked questions
General
What kind of comments does AIGCS generate?
AI-generated comments are contextual reactions to your page content. They can be insightful questions, observations, or analysis depending on the prompt template.
Is AIGCS free?
AIGCS is open-source (MIT license) and free to self-host. You pay only for:
- AI provider API usage (e.g., OpenAI tokens)
- Server hosting (VPS, Docker host, etc.)
Can I use AIGCS without AI providers?
Yes. With the Native Comments plugin enabled, AIGCS functions as a traditional visitor comment system. You can also use it solely for Fediverse comment aggregation.
Technical
What database should I use?
SQLite is recommended for small to medium sites (< 100K monthly visitors).
Can I use multiple AI providers at once?
Yes. All enabled providers generate comments in parallel for each page.
Does AIGCS support SSO / OAuth login?
Not currently. Admin panel uses JWT-based authentication with optional TOTP 2FA.
Can I customize the widget appearance?
Yes. Choose from 20+ built-in themes or create custom CSS (Shadow DOM isolates styles).
Deployment
What are the minimum requirements?
- 512MB RAM (1GB+ recommended)
- Node.js 24+ (Docker image includes it)
- 100MB disk for the app + database storage
Can I deploy on a shared hosting plan?
No. AIGCS requires Node.js runtime and persistent storage. Use a VPS or Docker host.
Does AIGCS work with static site generators?
Yes. The widget is client-side JavaScript. It works with any static site (Hugo, Jekyll, Astro, 11ty, etc.) and dynamic frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt, WordPress, etc.).