Espial

Espial is an open-source, self-hosted bookmarking server designed for organizing and storing web links. It operates as a web application that allows multiple users to maintain their own separate collections of bookmarks in a centralized location. The software is primarily intended for users who want a private way to archive URLs without relying on external services.

Users deploy the software on their own server, with Docker and Docker Compose being the recommended methods for installation. The application provides a web interface for managing links and supports the use of a bookmarklet, found in the settings page, to capture URLs directly from a browser. It is designed for users who prefer to maintain full control over their data through a self-managed deployment on their own hardware or virtual private server.

Key features

• Support for multiple user accounts
• SQLite database for simplified setup and maintenance
• Bookmarklet for quick link addition from the browser
• Import options for Firefox and pinboard bookmark files
• Internationalization support with selectable UI languages per account
• Configurable environment variables for runtime parameters
• Support for in-process TLS or reverse proxy integration
• Request IP logging with header support

The backend is written in Haskell and the frontend utilizes TypeScript. The system is architected to be flexible regarding deployment, allowing it to run as a standalone service or behind a reverse proxy like Caddy, nginx, or Cloudflare Tunnel. It can also be configured to run on a subpath of a shared domain using the APPROOT setting. For mobile users, an associated Android application exists to add bookmarks via the Android Share intent, extending the functionality beyond the web browser.

Espial is a utility for individuals or small groups seeking a private, multilingual server for web link management. It focuses on straightforward maintenance and flexible network configuration for the self-hosting community.