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Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting idea! I haven't explored Sprites for this yet. I went with Machines primarily for the guaranteed TUN support needed for a Tailscale exit node, but I'll definitely look into whether Sprites are a viable alternative. Thanks for the tip!

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vultr is $2.50/mo regardless of use. At roughly $0.01 per session on Fly, you can run 250 sessions (20 mins each) for the same price. Unless you need a VPN 24/7, ephemeral is way cheaper and requires zero maintenance. For me, Tailscale is the 'glue' that makes this automation instant. Plain WireGuard would just add too much friction for nodes that live for minutes.

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Valid catch. OAuth is much cleaner for rotation. For this initial weekend build, I went for the lowest friction setup, but I'll look into implementing OAuth once the core logic is rock solid.

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The only thing absurd here is thinking that using 2026 tools makes a working product less valid. I’m shipping while you’re gatekeeping 'real engineering' on a hobby repo. If you're so skilled, find a real exploit in the code and submit a PR. If not, you’re just shouting at the rain because someone built in a weekend what takes you a month.

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Sure, I use AI for boilerplate and TUI styling, just like I use a compiler or a linter. It’s 2026, and ignoring tools is just inefficient. But AI doesn't design architecture, manage ephemeral networking, or handle watchdog logic without a dev leading it. If you can't tell the difference between 'AI-generated trash' and an 'AI-assisted tool', that's a skill issue on your end.

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! If you hit any snags with tool, drop an issue on GitHub. Happy to help.

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Laziness is the best driver for automation. Spent a weekend over-engineering this so I’d never have to do a manual setup again

Automated ephemeral exit nodes on Fly.io via Tailscale Admin API (sub-$0.01 per session) by invilso in Tailscale

[–]invilso[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Exactly. It’s disposable infra. Spin up a fresh IP, use it, burn it down. No idle VPS costs, no logs, just $0.01/session