# Calibre-Web — Self-Hosted eBook Library & Reader

> Calibre-Web provides a polished web interface for browsing, reading, and managing your Calibre eBook library from any device with a browser.

## Install

Save in your project root:

# Calibre-Web — Self-Hosted eBook Library & Reader

## Quick Use
```bash
docker run -d --name calibre-web 
  -p 8083:8083 
  -v /path/to/books:/books 
  -v /path/to/config:/config 
  lscr.io/linuxserver/calibre-web:latest
# Default login: admin / admin123
```

## Introduction
Calibre-Web is a Python web application that provides a clean browser-based interface for your existing Calibre eBook library. It turns a local Calibre database into a full-featured online library with reading, downloading, user management, and OPDS catalog support, all without modifying your original library.

## What Calibre-Web Does
- Serves your Calibre library over the web with search, filtering, and sorting
- Provides an in-browser eBook reader for EPUB, PDF, and CBR/CBZ formats
- Supports multi-user accounts with per-user download and upload permissions
- Exposes an OPDS feed for mobile eBook reader apps like KOReader and Moon+ Reader
- Allows editing metadata, uploading new books, and sending books to Kindle via email

## Architecture Overview
Calibre-Web is a Flask-based Python application that reads from a standard Calibre metadata.db SQLite database. It uses SQLAlchemy for data access and Jinja2 for templating. The built-in reader leverages epub.js for EPUBs and pdf.js for PDFs. Authentication is handled internally or via LDAP and OAuth providers.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Mount your existing Calibre library directory as a Docker volume at /books
- Point the app to your metadata.db file through the initial setup wizard
- Enable Goodreads integration and Google Books metadata fetching in admin settings
- Configure SMTP for Kindle email delivery and password reset functionality
- Use Nginx or Caddy as a reverse proxy for HTTPS and subdomain access

## Key Features
- In-browser reading for EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ without downloading
- Kobo sync integration for automatic library synchronization with Kobo devices
- OPDS catalog support for connecting mobile reader apps directly
- Shelf system for organizing personal reading lists and collections
- Built-in eBook format conversion when Calibre binaries are available

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Calibre Desktop** — Full-featured but requires a desktop GUI; Calibre-Web is browser-first
- **Kavita** — Focuses on manga and comics; Calibre-Web excels at eBooks and OPDS
- **Komga** — Designed for comics and manga libraries; Calibre-Web targets general eBook collections
- **Audiobookshelf** — Focused on audiobooks and podcasts; Calibre-Web handles text-based eBooks
- **Readarr** — Automates eBook acquisition; Calibre-Web manages and serves an existing library

## FAQ
**Q: Do I need Calibre desktop installed?**
A: No. Calibre-Web only requires the metadata.db file from a Calibre library. Calibre desktop is optional for format conversion.

**Q: Can multiple users share one library?**
A: Yes. Calibre-Web supports multiple user accounts with configurable permissions for downloading, uploading, and editing.

**Q: Does it support Kindle send-to-device?**
A: Yes. Configure your SMTP settings and Kindle email addresses, and Calibre-Web can send books directly to Kindle devices.

**Q: What formats can I read in the browser?**
A: EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ are supported for in-browser reading. Other formats require downloading.

## Sources
- https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-web
- https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-web/wiki

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/ee491b17-39f1-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source