Pi-hole

DNS and Ad-filtering for your network.

Not yet tested networking Based on TrueNAS app v1.4.14 (Pi-hole 2026.09.0)
  1. 1
    Copy the script below
  2. 2
    In HexOS, open Apps, find Pi-hole and choose Custom Install
  3. 3
    Paste, then press Install — full guide with screenshots
pihole.json
Download
1{
12  "version": 5,
23  "script": {
4    "version": "0.1.0",
5    "changeLog": "Auto-generated draft from TrueNAS pihole 1.4.14"
6  },
7  "requirements": {
38    "locations": ["ApplicationsPerformance"],
49    "specifications": ["2CORE"],
510    "permissions": ["READ_WRITE_LOCATIONS"],
611    "ports": [20720, 53]
12  },
713  "ensure_directories_exists": [
14    {"path": "$LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)"},
15    {"path": "$LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)/pihole"},
16    {
17      "path": "$LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)/pihole/config",
18      "snapshot": {"id": "config"}
19    },
20    {
21      "path": "$LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)/pihole/dnsmasq",
22      "snapshot": {"id": "dnsmasq"}
23    }
24  ],
25  "app_values": {
26    "storage": {
827      "config": "$HOST_PATH($LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)/pihole/config)",
928      "dnsmasq": "$HOST_PATH($LOCATION(ApplicationsPerformance)/pihole/dnsmasq)"
29    },
30    "network": {
1031      "web_port": {"bind_mode": "published", "port_number": 20720},
1132      "dns_port": {"bind_mode": "published", "port_number": 53}
33    },
1234    "resources": {"limits": {"cpus": 2, "memory": "$MEMORY(10%, 4096)"}}
35  }
36}

What this script does

Hover or tap a box to see the lines it explains.

  1. Script format

    Tells HexOS this is a version 5 install script, so it knows how to read the rest.

    Line 2

  2. Script revision

    This copy of the script is revision 0.1.0. Latest change: “Auto-generated draft from TrueNAS pihole 1.4.14”.

    Lines 3–6

  3. Storage locations it needs

    The app uses these HexOS storage locations: App storage (fast). If one isn't set up yet, HexOS will ask you to pick a place for it.

    Line 8

  4. Minimum hardware

    Recommended minimum: 2 CPU cores.

    Line 9

  5. Permission to use your folders

    Allows the app to read and write files inside the storage locations listed above — and nowhere else.

    Line 10

  6. Network ports

    The app needs ports 20720 and 53 to be free on your server. A port is like an apartment number for your server's address.

    Line 11

  7. Folders created on install

    Creates the folders the app needs before it starts: App storage (fast) › pihole, App storage (fast) › pihole › config and App storage (fast) › pihole › dnsmasq. Folders marked “snapshot” are included in HexOS snapshots, so you can roll them back.

    Lines 13–24

  8. Where the app's settings is saved

    Where the app's settings is saved on your server: App storage (fast) › pihole › config.

    Line 27

  9. Where the app's “dnsmasq” files is saved

    Where the app's “dnsmasq” files is saved on your server: App storage (fast) › pihole › dnsmasq.

    Line 28

  10. Web port: 20720

    The app's web page is published on port 20720. You don't need to remember it — clicking the app's card in HexOS takes you there.

    Line 31

  11. Dns port: 53

    Publishes the app's dns port as 53.

    Line 32

  12. Resource limits

    Caps how much of your server the app can use: 2 CPU cores and 10% of your server's memory, but never more than 4 GB. This keeps one busy app from slowing everything else down.

    Line 34