# Snipe-IT — Open Source IT Asset Management > Snipe-IT is a free, open-source IT asset management system built on Laravel. It tracks laptops, desktops, licenses, accessories, and consumables throughout their lifecycle with full audit logging. ## Install Save in your project root: # Snipe-IT — Open Source IT Asset Management ## Quick Use ```bash docker run -d --name snipeit -p 8080:80 -e APP_URL=http://localhost:8080 -e MYSQL_HOST=db snipe/snipe-it # Visit http://localhost:8080 and run the setup wizard ``` ## Introduction Snipe-IT is a web-based IT asset management tool that helps organizations track who has which laptop, when it was purchased, which licenses are available, and when assets are due for replacement. Built on Laravel, it provides a polished interface for managing the full hardware and software lifecycle. ## What Snipe-IT Does - Tracks hardware assets with serial numbers, purchase dates, warranty info, and custom fields - Manages software licenses including seats, expiration dates, and assignment to users or machines - Handles check-in and check-out workflows with full audit trails and email notifications - Generates barcode and QR code labels for physical asset tagging - Provides a REST API for integration with LDAP, SCIM, and third-party ITSM tools ## Architecture Overview Snipe-IT is a PHP application built on the Laravel framework with a MySQL or MariaDB backend. It uses Laravel's Eloquent ORM for data access, queue workers for background jobs like imports and notifications, and Blade templates for server-side rendering. File uploads (images, import CSVs) can be stored locally or on S3-compatible storage. Authentication supports local accounts, LDAP, SAML, and Google OAuth. ## Self-Hosting & Configuration - Deploy via Docker using the official image or install on a LAMP/LEMP stack with PHP 8.1+ and MySQL - Configure environment variables in .env for database connection, mail, and application URL - Connect to LDAP/Active Directory for automatic user synchronization and authentication - Set up queue workers for background processing of large CSV imports and notification delivery - Enable SAML or OAuth for single sign-on integration with enterprise identity providers ## Key Features - Complete asset lifecycle management from procurement to depreciation and disposal - Customizable status labels, categories, manufacturers, and user-defined fields - Bulk import and export via CSV with field mapping and validation - Comprehensive reporting including asset audits, depreciation schedules, and activity logs - Multi-company support for MSPs managing assets across multiple client organizations ## Comparison with Similar Tools - **GLPI** — broader ITSM scope with helpdesk and inventory, steeper learning curve - **Ralph** — Allegro's data center asset manager, focused on rack-level infrastructure - **Lansweeper** — commercial network discovery and inventory, not open source - **Asset Panda** — cloud-only commercial tool with mobile scanning, no self-hosting - **OCS Inventory** — agent-based hardware discovery, complements rather than replaces Snipe-IT ## FAQ **Q: Can Snipe-IT scan barcodes for check-in/check-out?** A: Yes. The web interface supports barcode scanning via a connected USB scanner or webcam, and asset labels can be printed with barcodes or QR codes. **Q: Does Snipe-IT support LDAP/Active Directory sync?** A: Yes. It can sync users from LDAP or AD on a schedule, automatically creating accounts and mapping group memberships. **Q: How does licensing management work?** A: You create license records with a seat count and assign seats to users or devices. Snipe-IT tracks available vs. assigned seats and alerts on expiration dates. **Q: Is there a mobile app?** A: There is no official mobile app, but the web interface is responsive and works on mobile browsers. The REST API also enables third-party mobile clients. ## Sources - https://github.com/snipe/snipe-it - https://snipeitapp.com/docs --- Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/4f5d5796-3b87-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79 Author: AI Open Source