https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase
Open-source, self-hosted workspace with installable tools. Mail, boards, docs, chat, todos, files, calendar, and video rooms. Deploy with ONCE, Kamal, or Docker.
https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase
collaboration docker hotwire once-compatible open-source pwa rails self-hosted sqlite workspace
Last synced: 5 days ago
JSON representation
Open-source, self-hosted workspace with installable tools. Mail, boards, docs, chat, todos, files, calendar, and video rooms. Deploy with ONCE, Kamal, or Docker.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase
- Owner: smgdkngt
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-03-13T08:34:02.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-13T12:17:50.000Z (16 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-13T13:30:05.650Z (16 days ago)
- Topics: collaboration, docker, hotwire, once-compatible, open-source, pwa, rails, self-hosted, sqlite, workspace
- Language: Ruby
- Homepage: https://dobase.co
- Size: 7.71 MB
- Stars: 163
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 5
- Open Issues: 4
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Dobase
An open-source, self-hosted workspace with installable tools. Add a mail client, kanban boards, documents, chat, file storage, calendars, to-do lists, or video rooms — each shared with collaborators you choose.
Built with Ruby on Rails 8.1, Hotwire, and Tailwind CSS.
## Tools
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| **Mail** | IMAP/SMTP email client with rich text compose, drafts, contacts, and conversations |
| **Board** | Kanban boards with columns, cards, comments, and attachments |
| **Docs** | Rich text documents with collaborative editing |
| **Chat** | Real-time messaging with typing indicators, replies, and file sharing |
| **Todos** | Task lists with due dates, assignments, comments, and attachments |
| **Files** | File storage with folders, sharing via public links, and previews |
| **Calendar** | CalDAV-compatible calendar with recurring events and local mode |
| **Room** | Video conferencing powered by LiveKit |
## Self-hosting
Dobase runs as a single Docker container. Everything — web server, background jobs, database — is included.
### Install with ONCE
The easiest way to self-host Dobase is with [ONCE](https://once.com) by 37signals. ONCE handles installation, updates, backups, and SSL — all from a simple terminal dashboard.
Point ONCE at:
```
ghcr.io/smgdkngt/dobase:latest
```
That's it. ONCE takes care of the rest — including SSL, persistent storage, and automatic backups. Works on any Linux server, cloud VPS, or even a Raspberry Pi.
All tools work out of the box except the Room (video) tool, which requires an external [LiveKit](https://livekit.io) server. ONCE runs a single container per app, so LiveKit needs to run separately — either via [LiveKit Cloud](https://livekit.io/cloud) or as a standalone Docker container. See [Video conferencing](#video-conferencing-livekit) for setup.
### Deploy with Kamal
For the complete experience — SSL, zero-downtime deploys, LiveKit as an accessory — use [Kamal](https://kamal-deploy.org). All you need is a VPS with Ubuntu.
```bash
git clone https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase.git
cd dobase
```
Edit `config/deploy.yml` with your server IP and domain, then add secrets to `.kamal/secrets`:
```bash
# .kamal/secrets
SECRET_KEY_BASE=
SMTP_USERNAME=your-smtp-user
SMTP_PASSWORD=your-smtp-password
```
```bash
kamal setup # First deploy — provisions server, builds image, starts app
kamal deploy # Subsequent deploys
```
Kamal handles SSL certificates (Let's Encrypt), asset bridging, and rolling restarts automatically. LiveKit can run as a Kamal accessory — uncomment the `livekit` section in `config/deploy.yml`.
### Docker
```bash
docker run -d \
-p 80:80 \
-v dobase_storage:/rails/storage \
-e SECRET_KEY_BASE=$(openssl rand -hex 64) \
-e DISABLE_SSL=true \
ghcr.io/smgdkngt/dobase:latest
```
Visit `http://localhost` and sign up. Remove `DISABLE_SSL=true` when running behind a TLS proxy or with a domain.
### Docker Compose
For a persistent setup with all options, clone the repo and use the included `docker-compose.yml`:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase.git
cd dobase
SECRET_KEY_BASE=$(openssl rand -hex 64) docker compose up -d
```
Or create your own `docker-compose.yml`:
```yaml
services:
web:
image: ghcr.io/smgdkngt/dobase:latest
ports:
- "80:80"
environment:
- SECRET_KEY_BASE=
- APP_HOST=your-domain.com
volumes:
- storage:/rails/storage
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
storage:
```
### Configuration
| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `SECRET_KEY_BASE` | — | **Required.** Generate with `openssl rand -hex 64` |
| `APP_NAME` | `Dobase` | App name in UI, emails, page titles |
| `APP_HOST` | `localhost:3000` | Host for mailer URLs |
| `APP_LOGO_PATH` | `/icon.svg` | Logo path (sidebar, auth pages) |
| `APP_FROM_EMAIL` | `notifications@dobase.co` | Sender address for emails |
| `DISABLE_SSL` | — | Set to `true` for non-TLS deployments (ONCE sets this automatically on localhost) |
| `OPEN_REGISTRATION` | — | Set to `true` to allow public signup (default: invite-only) |
#### Email (SMTP)
Email sending requires SMTP configuration. Without it, all other features work fine — invitation and notification emails just won't be sent.
| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `SMTP_ADDRESS` | — | SMTP server hostname |
| `SMTP_PORT` | `587` | SMTP port |
| `SMTP_USERNAME` | — | SMTP username |
| `SMTP_PASSWORD` | — | SMTP password |
#### Video conferencing (LiveKit)
The Room tool requires a [LiveKit](https://livekit.io) server. All other tools work without it.
LiveKit runs as a separate container — browsers connect to it directly via WebSocket, so it needs its own public URL.
| Method | How to run LiveKit |
|--------|--------------------|
| **Docker Compose** | Uncomment the `livekit` service in `docker-compose.yml` |
| **Docker** | Run `docker run -d -p 7880:7880 -p 7881:7881 -e LIVEKIT_KEYS=key:secret livekit/livekit-server` |
| **Kamal** | Uncomment the `livekit` accessory in `config/deploy.yml` |
| **ONCE** | Run LiveKit separately, or use [LiveKit Cloud](https://livekit.io/cloud) |
| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `LIVEKIT_URL` | — | **Public** WebSocket URL browsers connect to (e.g. `wss://room.your-domain.com`) |
| `LIVEKIT_API_KEY` | — | LiveKit API key |
| `LIVEKIT_API_SECRET` | — | LiveKit API secret |
Example with Docker Compose (uncomment in `docker-compose.yml`):
```yaml
livekit:
image: livekit/livekit-server:latest
ports:
- "7880:7880"
- "7881:7881"
environment:
- LIVEKIT_KEYS=your-api-key:your-api-secret
restart: unless-stopped
```
Then add to the web service environment:
```yaml
- LIVEKIT_URL=wss://room.your-domain.com
- LIVEKIT_API_KEY=your-api-key
- LIVEKIT_API_SECRET=your-api-secret
```
### Storage & backups
All data lives in `/rails/storage` (SQLite database + uploaded files). Back up this volume regularly.
## Development
### Requirements
- Ruby 3.4+
- SQLite 3
- libvips (for image processing)
### Setup
```bash
git clone https://github.com/smgdkngt/dobase.git
cd dobase
bin/setup
```
Or manually:
```bash
bundle install
bin/rails db:prepare
bin/dev
```
The app runs at `http://localhost:3000`.
### Demo data
Seed the database with a fictional company ("Moonshot Snacks") to explore all tools:
```bash
SEED_DEMO=1 bin/rails db:seed
```
Log in as `sophie@moonshot-snacks.com` / `password123`.
### Commands
```bash
bin/dev # Start dev server (Rails + Tailwind watcher)
bin/rails test # Run tests
bin/rails test:system # Run system tests
bin/rubocop # Lint Ruby
bin/brakeman --quiet # Security analysis
```
## License
[MIT License](LICENSE.md)