When I started working on static build projects, I noticed a repeating pattern: repos kept filling up with images, PDFs, and other binaries. Deploys slowed down, git history bloated, and version control became a mess.
The obvious answer was “just use S3 or Cloudflare R2.” But I wanted more: simple programmatic access, my own API keys, real-time usage metrics, and an interface that didn’t require knowing AWS inside-out.
The real problem
Static builds are lightweight by nature, but that advantage disappears as projects grow. A site with 50 product images, documentation PDFs, and marketing assets can easily reach hundreds of megabytes.
Every time you push a small code change, the CI/CD pipeline has to handle all those binaries. The result: slow deploys, heavy repos, and unnecessary friction.
The solution: decouple the assets
The idea behind Arenal Cloud is simple: remove assets from the repo and the build entirely. Instead of referencing /images/product.jpg, you reference https://cdn.arenalcloud.com/your-project/product.jpg.
The workflow becomes:
- Upload the asset once via the API or dashboard
- Get a permanent CDN URL
- Reference that URL in your code
- Your build includes zero binary assets
Tech stack
I decided to build it on a self-managed VPS with S3-compatible object storage (MinIO). The backend is Node.js with a REST API, API key authentication, and a lightweight metrics system.
The frontend is Vue.js for the dashboard. Simple, no heavy frameworks.
Why not just use S3 directly: I wanted full product control, the ability to add features specific to the use cases I was seeing, and something I could eventually offer as a SaaS.
Lessons learned
Scope creep is real. I started just wanting to upload and serve files. I ended up building an API key system, analytics, multiple projects per user, and custom domain management.
Building in public helps. Sharing the process on LinkedIn generated early feedback that prevented me from building features nobody needed.
Own infrastructure has its costs. Running a VPS means handling updates, backups, and monitoring. It’s not free in terms of time.
The project is still in development. If you’re interested in trying it, check the demo at arenalcloud.com.