Kiwix Serve
HTTP server for browsing ZIM offline content libraries
Kiwix Serve is an HTTP daemon from the Kiwix tools suite that lets you browse offline content packaged as ZIM files through a web browser. It is commonly used to publish offline Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Project Gutenberg, and other ZIM archives on a local machine, intranet, or low-resource device.
Key Features
- Serves one or more ZIM files over HTTP for browser-based reading
- Works with Kiwix libraries (XML) managed via companion tools such as kiwix-manage
- Full-text search capabilities available via the kiwix-search tool in the same suite
- Suitable for offline-first deployments (classrooms, ships, remote sites) and LAN sharing
- Available as prebuilt binaries and container images for simplified deployment
Use Cases
- Host an offline Wikipedia mirror on a home server or Raspberry Pi for LAN access
- Provide offline documentation and knowledge bases for restricted or air-gapped networks
- Distribute curated offline libraries (ZIM collections) in schools or community networks
Limitations and Considerations
- Functionality is focused on serving static ZIM content and does not provide editing or collaborative features
- Search and library management are handled by separate companion tools rather than being a single integrated web application
Kiwix Serve is a practical choice when you need a small, reliable web server to share offline knowledge archives in environments with limited or no internet connectivity. It fits well into Kiwix-based workflows where ZIM library management and search are provided by the broader kiwix-tools suite.
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Meson
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