Audiobookshelf

Audiobookshelf is an open-source, self-hosted server for managing and streaming audiobooks and podcasts. It functions as a central media hub that allows users to organize their audio libraries and access content via a web browser or dedicated mobile applications. The software is deployed as a server and requires a websocket connection for reverse proxy setups to maintain stable communication between the client and the host.

The application handles the ingestion of audio files and podcasts, providing tools for metadata management and playback tracking. It supports multi-user environments where administrators can set custom permissions for different accounts, ensuring that each user has a personalized experience. Users can stream content on the fly or download episodes for offline listening through the Android and iOS apps, which are currently in beta.

Key features

• Progress syncing across multiple devices per user
• Auto-detection of library updates without manual scanning
• Metadata and cover art retrieval from multiple sources
• Support for epub, pdf, cbr, and cbz ebook formats
• Chapter editing and lookup via the Audnexus API
• Bulk upload of books and podcasts via drag and drop folders
• Ability to merge audio files into single m4b files
• Open RSS feeds for podcasts and audiobooks
• Chromecast support for web and Android clients

Built with NodeJs and FFmpeg, the server provides a Progressive Web App (PWA) for browser access. It includes a built-in ereader for supported document formats and allows users to send ebooks directly to devices such as Kindles. The system relies on specific directory structures and folder naming conventions to organize media effectively, and it includes automated daily backups to protect metadata. For developers, the project supports deployment via Docker and provides a dev container setup for those contributing to the source code.

Audiobookshelf is designed for individuals who want full control over their audiobook and podcast collections through a self-hosted infrastructure.