Ah, Docker. Looks like you have to run a minimum of TWO servers (or containers). You need a Java 11 server, and at least one golang proxy. Looks like "self-hosting" means, in practice, cloud hosting.

I mean, two docker containers isn’t zero overhead but it’s a long way from “needs multiple boxes and you have to pay someone to manage it”.

A systemd unit file to run a docker container isn’t a hard thing to write.

I don't use Docker or systemd. I don't need to rehearse my objections to systemd; I object to Docker because it's a proprietary skin wrapped around open-source container mechanisms.

I run Xen VMs, and I don't want to dedicate two VMs to something like this (my VM host has 16GB of RAM).

I'm not saying this solution is no good; it's just not a match for me.

Why would you have to dedicate two vm ? You can use containers (LXC) and that's it.

I could use LXC; I looked into it about 5 years ago, and it looked reasonable. But I can only administer a limited number of technology bundles, and I went with Xen for virtual hosting. If I deployed Piped as LXC, I'd have to figure out how to do it (LXC is not The Docker Way, and the installation instructions are for Docker).

I don't mind admin work - I quite like it - but for me, it's pure overhead, since I run nothing else under LXC.

Try Podman, I think you'll like it.