pyShelf
Lightweight terminal-based ebook server with a web interface
526 stars 35 forks last commit first released GPL-3.0
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pyShelf is a lightweight ebook server designed to run without a desktop environment. It scans your library on disk and exposes a simple web interface for browsing, searching, and downloading ebooks.
Key Features
- Recursive scanning of folders to build a library index
- Automatic cover image aggregation
- Fuzzy search with optional query specifiers (for example tag, author, or title)
- Automated collections based on folder structure
- Download system for supported ebook files
Use Cases
- Self-host a personal ebook library on a headless server or homelab
- Create a simple shared library for a household or small group
- Quickly search and download ebooks from a large folder-based archive
Limitations and Considerations
- Supported formats are limited (notably epub and mobi)
- Several features are explicitly not yet implemented, such as access restrictions and OPDS support
pyShelf is a practical option if you want a minimal, Calibre-like ebook server experience without needing an X server. It focuses on fast library scanning, straightforward browsing, and lightweight operation.
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