Run it on a home server
The calibre-zen Docker image shares your library with every browser in the house, with a login and a folder that adds books.
The image runs on any server with Docker, on Intel or ARM. It needs two folders, one for your books and one for its settings.
New to self-hosting? Run your own ebook library goes step by step, from an empty folder to reading on your phone. Share your library over the internet takes it further, to friends and family anywhere.
Start it with Compose
Section titled “Start it with Compose”The Compose file comes down with one line, best run in a new folder:
curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/purplecandy/calibre-zen/zen/packaging/docker/compose.yamlYour password goes next to it, in a file named .env with one line, CALIBRE_ZEN_PASSWORD= and then the password. Then docker compose up -d in that folder starts it.
Your books are at http://your-server:8080. Sign in as reader with your password.
Start it with one command
Section titled “Start it with one command”docker run -d --name calibre-zen -p 8080:8080 \ -e PUID=1000 -e PGID=1000 \ -e CALIBRE_ZEN_USERNAME=reader -e CALIBRE_ZEN_PASSWORD=PICK-A-PASSWORD \ -v /path/to/library:/library -v /path/to/config:/config \ --restart unless-stopped ghcr.io/purplecandy/calibre-zen:latestYour own password goes in place of PICK-A-PASSWORD. The image will not start with that placeholder.
Your books
Section titled “Your books”- A library you already have is served as it is.
/libraryis the folder that holds itsmetadata.db. - A folder of libraries is served too, and the web app switches between them.
- An empty folder becomes a new, empty library.
- New books can come from a folder mounted at
/auto-add. Each book that lands there is added within a few seconds, and the file moves into the library.
latestis the newest release, and the steady choice.edgehas the newest changes as soon as they are made, so it can have rough edges.
An update is the new image pulled and the container started again. With Compose, docker compose pull && docker compose up -d does both. Your books and settings stay where they are.
Every setting
Section titled “Every setting”The Docker guide on GitHub lists every setting, from the user and group the image runs as to HTTPS behind a reverse proxy.