How do I set up Local Content Share with Docker Compose?

Use the provided Docker Compose YAML in the README, mount a persistent volume like /home/user/lcshare to /app/data, and expose port 8080. This ensures data survives container restarts and is accessible on your network.

Local Content Share vs Nextcloud for local file sharing: which is better?

Local Content Share is lighter and faster for simple sharing without user management, while Nextcloud offers more features like calendars and contacts but requires more resources. Choose based on whether you need simplicity or extensibility.

Does Local Content Share work offline or without internet?

Yes, it operates entirely on your local network with all assets hosted locally, so no internet is needed once deployed. This makes it ideal for isolated environments or homelabs.

How to configure custom file expiration times in Local Content Share?

Set the expiration cycling button to 'Custom' before uploading, then enter a value like '3d' for 3 days using the format NT (e.g., m for minutes, w for weeks). You can also use the DEFAULT_EXPIRY environment variable for a global default.

Can I use Local Content Share on my phone as a native app?

It's a Progressive Web App (PWA), so you can add it to your home screen via browser for app-like access, but it's not a downloadable native app from stores like iOS or Android.

What happens if my Docker container crashes in Local Content Share?

As long as you've mounted a persistent volume to /app/data as recommended, your snippets, files, and notes will be preserved. Without this, data is lost since it's stored in the container's ephemeral storage.

Open-Awesome

Local Content Share

MITHTMLv37Self-Hosted

A self-hosted app for sharing text snippets, files, and links within a local network, featuring a markdown notepad.

GitHub

461 stars13 forks0 contributors

What is Local Content Share?

Local Content Share is a self-hosted application that enables users to share text snippets, files, and links within a local network. It solves the problem of quick, device-agnostic content sharing without relying on external services or complex setup. The app includes a built-in markdown notepad for drafting and previewing notes.

Target Audience

Homelab enthusiasts, developers, and teams needing a simple, private way to share content locally without internet dependency.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Local Content Share for its zero-client setup, real-time updates via SSE, and all-in-one functionality combining snippet sharing, file storage, and a markdown notepad in a single, self-hosted package.

Overview

Self-hosted app with browser frontend that enables sharing and storing text snippets and files. Also includes a markdown and rich text scratchpad.

Use Cases

Best For

Sharing code snippets or configuration files across devices in a local development environment
Quickly transferring files between computers without USB drives or cloud services
Maintaining a private, network-accessible scratchpad with markdown support
Distributing links or resources during local presentations or workshops
Storing temporary files with automatic expiration in a homelab setup
Creating a lightweight internal pastebin for team collaboration

Not Ideal For

Environments requiring user authentication or multi-user access control
Projects needing to share content over the internet or with external users
Use cases demanding advanced file management like versioning or detailed metadata tagging

Pros & Cons

Pros

Zero-Client Setup

Clients access via any browser without installation, enabling instant sharing across devices on the local network, as emphasized in the README's value proposition.

Real-Time Updates

Uses Server-Sent Events (SSE) to automatically notify all connected clients of new, edited, or deleted content, ensuring seamless collaboration.

All-in-One Functionality

Combines text snippets, file uploads, link storage, and a Markdown notepad with live preview in a single interface, reducing the need for multiple tools.

Easy Self-Hosting

Provides Docker images for multiple architectures and simple binary downloads, with clear setup instructions for homelab deployments.

Cons

No Built-In Authentication

Lacks any user authentication mechanism, requiring external proxies for access control, which the README explicitly warns about for public exposure.

Reverse Proxy Hassles

File upload progress and size handling can break with common reverse proxies like Nginx, necessitating manual configuration tweaks as detailed in the Tips section.

Basic Data Management

Offers limited features beyond storage and sharing—no versioning, advanced search, or API integrations—making it less suitable for complex workflows.

Open Source Alternative To

Local Content Share is an open-source alternative to the following products:

AirDrop

AirDrop is a wireless file-sharing feature built into Apple devices that allows users to quickly transfer files between nearby iOS and macOS devices.

local pastebin

local pastebin is a simple, self-hosted pastebin application that allows users to share text and code snippets locally or within a private network.

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