How do I set up OAuth authentication in Wishlist?

Go to the admin settings, enter your Identity Provider's Issuer URL, Client ID, and Client Secret. Set the redirect URL in your IdP to https:// /login. Remember, the first user must be created with credentials via the setup wizard before OAuth works.

Wishlist or OpenWish: which is better for a family wishlist app?

Wishlist offers Docker-based self-hosting with OAuth and PWA support, while OpenWish might differ in features or UI. Choose Wishlist for modern integrations and privacy, but compare based on specific needs like ease of setup or customization options.

Does Wishlist support running on a subpath like /wishlist?

No, the README clearly states that Wishlist does not support running on a different subpath. You must host it on a dedicated domain or subdomain, which can be a limitation for shared hosting environments.

How to use the bookmarklet to add items from product pages in Wishlist?

Paste the provided JavaScript code into a bookmarklet generator, customize the wishlist host and list ID variables, then save it as a bookmark. Click it on any product page to open Wishlist with pre-filled item details from the URL.

What database does Wishlist use and can I switch to PostgreSQL?

Wishlist uses SQLite by default, with data stored in a volume. The README doesn't mention support for other databases, so switching to PostgreSQL isn't natively supported and would require significant code modifications.

Is proxy authentication in Wishlist secure?

Proxy auth relies on headers from your reverse proxy; the README warns that improper configuration could allow unauthorized access by forging headers. It's only secure if your proxy correctly validates users and prevents header manipulation.

How to invite users without setting up SMTP in Wishlist?

In the admin panel, you can manually generate an invite link and share it with users via other means. Without SMTP, email-based invites aren't available, but this manual method works for account creation and password resets.

Wishlist — Self-Hosted Gift List App

What is Wishlist?

Wishlist is a self-hosted web application that enables users to create, share, and manage wishlists with friends and family. It solves the problem of gift coordination by allowing users to claim items, track purchases, and avoid duplicates through an intuitive interface. The app supports multiple groups, registry modes for events, and integrations like OAuth and SMTP for enhanced functionality.

Target Audience

Individuals, families, or communities looking for a private, customizable way to organize gift exchanges without relying on commercial platforms. It's ideal for tech-savvy users who prefer self-hosting and control over their data.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Wishlist for its full self-hosting capability, open-source transparency, and feature-rich design including OAuth, PWA support, and flexible suggestion modes. It offers a privacy-focused alternative to cloud-based wishlist services with deployment simplicity via Docker.

Wishlist is a self-hosted wishlist application that you can share with your friends and family. You no longer have to wonder what to get your family for the holidays, simply check their wishlist and claim any available item!

Use Cases

Best For

Families coordinating holiday or birthday gift lists privately
Self-hosting enthusiasts wanting a customizable gift-planning tool
Communities or groups managing shared wishlists for events
Users seeking a Progressive Web App (PWA) for mobile wishlist access
Integrating wishlist functionality with existing OAuth/OpenID Connect systems
Creating public registries for weddings or events without requiring guest accounts

Not Ideal For

Projects that must be deployed on a subpath of an existing domain (e.g., example.com/wishlist)
Large-scale deployments requiring a client-server database like PostgreSQL for high concurrency
Teams needing real-time collaborative features such as live updates when items are claimed
Organizations that require built-in analytics or e-commerce integrations for gift tracking

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy Docker Deployment

With a minimal docker-compose.yaml file, users can spin up the app in minutes, as demonstrated in the README with just a few environment variables like ORIGIN and TOKEN_TIME.

Flexible Group System

Supports multiple wishlist groups for different social circles, allowing users to manage separate lists for friends and family through a simple UI switch via the profile menu.

Public Registry Mode

Enables event-based wishlists where guests can claim items without creating accounts, with a public link sharing feature ideal for weddings or parties, as detailed in the Registry Mode section.

Integrated OAuth Support

Authenticates users via OpenID Connect with providers like Google and Keycloak, offering seamless login without manual credential management for existing users, as configured in admin settings.

PWA and Mobile Optimization

Functions as a Progressive Web App with responsive design, providing native-like experience on mobile devices, evidenced by the mobile screenshots in the README.

Cons

No Subpath Support

The README explicitly states that Wishlist cannot run on a subpath (e.g., /wishlist), limiting integration with existing web servers or reverse proxies and forcing dedicated domains.

Nginx Proxy Issues

There's a known issue with Nginx proxies requiring specific buffer settings like proxy_buffer_size, which complicates deployment and can cause errors if misconfigured, as noted in the reverse proxy section.

SQLite-Only Database

Uses SQLite for data storage, which may not scale well for high-traffic instances or large user bases due to its file-based nature, with no mention of alternative database support.

OAuth Setup Complexity

Configuring OAuth requires manual input of issuer URLs and client secrets, and the first user must be created via credentials before OAuth can be used, adding initial setup steps and potential confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wishlist?

Target Audience

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Families coordinating holiday or birthday gift lists privately
Self-hosting enthusiasts wanting a customizable gift-planning tool
Communities or groups managing shared wishlists for events
Users seeking a Progressive Web App (PWA) for mobile wishlist access
Integrating wishlist functionality with existing OAuth/OpenID Connect systems
Creating public registries for weddings or events without requiring guest accounts

Not Ideal For

Projects that must be deployed on a subpath of an existing domain (e.g., example.com/wishlist)
Large-scale deployments requiring a client-server database like PostgreSQL for high concurrency
Teams needing real-time collaborative features such as live updates when items are claimed
Organizations that require built-in analytics or e-commerce integrations for gift tracking

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy Docker Deployment

With a minimal docker-compose.yaml file, users can spin up the app in minutes, as demonstrated in the README with just a few environment variables like ORIGIN and TOKEN_TIME.

Flexible Group System

Supports multiple wishlist groups for different social circles, allowing users to manage separate lists for friends and family through a simple UI switch via the profile menu.

Public Registry Mode

Enables event-based wishlists where guests can claim items without creating accounts, with a public link sharing feature ideal for weddings or parties, as detailed in the Registry Mode section.

Integrated OAuth Support

Authenticates users via OpenID Connect with providers like Google and Keycloak, offering seamless login without manual credential management for existing users, as configured in admin settings.

PWA and Mobile Optimization

Functions as a Progressive Web App with responsive design, providing native-like experience on mobile devices, evidenced by the mobile screenshots in the README.

Cons

No Subpath Support

The README explicitly states that Wishlist cannot run on a subpath (e.g., /wishlist), limiting integration with existing web servers or reverse proxies and forcing dedicated domains.

Nginx Proxy Issues

SQLite-Only Database

Uses SQLite for data storage, which may not scale well for high-traffic instances or large user bases due to its file-based nature, with no mention of alternative database support.

OAuth Setup Complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

Wishlist

What is Wishlist?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Wishlist

What is Wishlist?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?