LibreServer

LibreServer is a compact, Debian‑based distribution designed to host a full stack of internet services on modest hardware. From an email server and XMPP chat room to VoIP, wikis, blogs, and a federated social network, the platform bundles these services into a single, reproducible image that can run on anything from an old laptop to a Raspberry Pi. The core philosophy is decentralization: every instance can run on its own domain or onion address and federate with other LibreServer nodes, forming a resilient mesh of independent communities.

Technical Stack & Architecture

• Operating System: Debian Bookworm base, providing a stable and well‑supported kernel with long‑term security updates.
• Container Runtime: Docker Engine is used to isolate each service (Postfix, Dovecot, Synapse, Nextcloud, etc.) into lightweight containers. The docker-compose.yml orchestrates networking, volume mounts, and environment variables.
• Service Layer:
  • Mail: Postfix + Dovecot, configured for both SMTP and IMAP/POP3 with DKIM/SPF support.
  • Chat & VoIP: Matrix Synapse server, providing XMPP‑compatible APIs and WebRTC integration.
  • Web: Nginx reverse proxy with automatic Let's Encrypt certificates and onion routing via Tor.
  • Apps: Nextcloud (file sharing), GNU‑Wikimedia MediaWiki, Mastodon, and other federated apps are deployed as separate containers.
• Database: PostgreSQL is the default for Synapse, Mastodon, and Nextcloud; SQLite is used for smaller services. All databases are persisted in Docker volumes for data durability.
• Storage: The root filesystem is read‑only with writable overlays; persistent data resides in dedicated volumes or external SSDs to mitigate wear on SD cards.

Core Capabilities & APIs

• Federation: Matrix, ActivityPub (Mastodon), and email MX records enable cross‑instance communication.
• REST & Webhooks: Each container exposes a public API; for example, Synapse’s Matrix client‑server API and Mastodon’s OAuth2 endpoints.
• Plugin Architecture: Many services support plugins (e.g., Nextcloud Apps, Synapse modules). Developers can package custom extensions as Docker images and register them via the docker-compose.override.yml.
• Webhooks: The Nginx proxy can forward custom webhook paths to internal services, allowing integration with CI/CD pipelines or external bots.

Deployment & Infrastructure

• Self‑Hosting Requirements: Minimum 2 GB RAM, 20 GB SSD, and a static IP or dynamic DNS. The system can also run behind Tor with the tor service container, exposing services on .onion.
• Scalability: Horizontal scaling is achieved by deploying multiple instances behind a load balancer and synchronizing data via shared volumes or external storage (e.g., NFS, Ceph).
• Containerization: The entire stack is delivered as a single docker-compose file; developers can spin up the environment on any Docker‑enabled host or Kubernetes cluster by translating the compose file to Helm charts.

Integration & Extensibility

• Custom Domains: The Nginx reverse proxy accepts a CNAME or direct domain mapping, enabling developers to host the stack under any subdomain.
• API Key Management: Each service exposes a token‑based authentication system; developers can programmatically generate tokens for bots or third‑party applications.
• Webhooks & Automation: The Matrix bot framework can listen to events across services, while Nextcloud’s WebDAV interface allows automated file sync.
• Community Plugins: The project encourages community‑developed Docker images; a registry of approved plugins is maintained on GitLab.

Developer Experience

• Configuration: All service settings are exposed as environment variables; the config/ directory contains templated .env files for quick customization.
• Documentation: The official site hosts a comprehensive Developer Guide, API reference, and troubleshooting FAQ.
• Community: A dedicated Matrix room (#epicyon:conduit.libreserver.org) and a GitLab issue tracker provide real‑time support.
• Licensing: All components are open source under permissive licenses (GPL, MIT), allowing developers to modify and redistribute without legal hurdles.

Use Cases

1. Personal Cloud – A developer can host a private Nextcloud instance with integrated Matrix chat for secure file sharing among family.
2. Decentralized Social Hub – By running Mastodon alongside Synapse, a community can manage both microblogging and real‑time messaging.
3. Educational Sandbox – Universities can deploy LibreServer on campus hardware to teach students about email, VoIP, and federated protocols.
4. Onion‑Only Service – The Tor integration enables a privacy‑centric microblog or email server accessible only via .onion.

Advantages

• Performance: Container isolation keeps services lightweight; Debian’s minimal footprint ensures low CPU and memory usage.
• Flexibility: Developers can drop in any Docker‑compatible service, replace components (e.g., swap Postfix for Exim), or extend APIs without touching the core OS.
• Licensing Freedom: The open‑source stack avoids vendor lock‑in, making it ideal for