# FreeScout — Free Self-Hosted Help Desk and Shared Mailbox

> A self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox system built with Laravel, offering a clean interface for managing customer support conversations without SaaS fees.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# FreeScout — Free Self-Hosted Help Desk and Shared Mailbox

## Quick Use
```bash
docker run -d --name freescout 
  -p 8080:80 
  -e DB_HOST=db -e DB_DATABASE=freescout 
  -e DB_USERNAME=root -e DB_PASSWORD=secret 
  -e SITE_URL=http://localhost:8080 
  tiredofit/freescout
# Open http://localhost:8080 and run the setup wizard
```

## Introduction
FreeScout is an open-source, self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox application. Built with PHP and Laravel, it provides a clean, familiar interface for teams to manage customer support email conversations. It serves as a free alternative to Help Scout and Zendesk, giving organizations full control over their support data.

## What FreeScout Does
- Manages shared mailboxes where multiple team members collaborate on customer emails
- Routes incoming emails to the correct mailbox and assigns conversations to agents
- Tracks conversation status (active, pending, closed) with internal notes and tagging
- Supports multiple mailboxes for different departments or products
- Extends through a module system with community and official add-ons

## Architecture Overview
FreeScout is a standard Laravel application running on PHP with a MySQL or MariaDB database. It fetches emails from configured IMAP mailboxes via a scheduled cron job, creates conversation threads, and sends replies through SMTP. The web UI is server-rendered with real-time updates via polling. Modules are Laravel packages that hook into the core event system to add features like Slack notifications, satisfaction surveys, and custom fields.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Deploy via Docker or install manually on a LAMP/LEMP stack (PHP 7.3+, MySQL 5.6+)
- Configure mailboxes in the admin panel with IMAP fetch and SMTP send credentials
- Set up a cron job (`php artisan schedule:run`) for email fetching and background tasks
- Use a reverse proxy with SSL for production; FreeScout supports the `SITE_URL` variable
- Install modules from the admin panel to extend functionality (knowledge base, LDAP, etc.)

## Key Features
- Shared mailbox with conversation threading, assignment, and status tracking
- Internal notes for team collaboration that are hidden from customers
- Saved replies and auto-responses for common questions
- Customer profiles with conversation history across all interactions
- Module marketplace with extensions for Slack, Telegram, satisfaction ratings, and more

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Help Scout** — commercial SaaS with similar UX; FreeScout is self-hosted and free
- **osTicket** — open-source ticket system; FreeScout provides a more modern email-centric interface
- **Zammad** — feature-rich helpdesk; heavier to deploy, FreeScout is lighter for small teams
- **Chatwoot** — multi-channel with live chat focus; FreeScout specializes in email-based support

## FAQ
**Q: Can I use FreeScout with Gmail or Office 365?**
A: Yes. Configure your Gmail or Office 365 account as an IMAP/SMTP mailbox in the FreeScout admin panel. App passwords or OAuth may be required.

**Q: How many mailboxes can I set up?**
A: There is no built-in limit. Each mailbox connects to a separate email account and can be managed by different teams.

**Q: Is FreeScout suitable for large support teams?**
A: FreeScout works well for small to mid-size teams. For very large teams, evaluate whether the module ecosystem covers your workflow needs.

**Q: Can customers view and reply via a web portal?**
A: The core product is email-based. A customer portal module is available that adds web-based ticket viewing and reply functionality.

## Sources
- https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout
- https://freescout.net/docs/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/7d5e5a8f-431d-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot