Rapidbay

RapidBay is a self‑hosted media streaming platform that transforms torrent downloads into browser‑ready video streams. It acts as an intermediary between a torrent client (via Jackett) and the end‑user, handling file selection, subtitle acquisition, format conversion, and cleanup. The application is built on top of a lightweight Docker image, making it easy to deploy in containerized environments or on a VPS with minimal dependencies.

Key Features

• Torrent Search & Retrieval – Integrates with Jackett to query multiple torrent indexers and fetch magnet links.
• Selective File Streaming – Users can pick a single video file from a torrent; the system extracts, converts, and serves it without downloading the entire archive.
• Subtitle Management – Automatically pulls subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org, supporting multiple languages via an environment variable.
• Media Conversion – Uses FFmpeg to transcode video and audio streams into web‑friendly formats (e.g., H.264/MP4, AAC audio) ensuring compatibility across browsers, Chromecast, and AppleTV.
• Cleanup & Storage – Periodic garbage collection removes finished downloads, keeping disk usage predictable.
• Webhook & Magnet Handling – Exposes a /registerHandler endpoint to register RapidBay as the default magnet link handler and can be triggered directly from a search bar.

Technical Stack

• Runtime: Python (Flask/Quart) served behind Gunicorn, packaged in a Docker container.
• Media Engine: FFmpeg for transcoding and subtitle embedding.
• Search Backend: Jackett (REST API) as a torrent indexer aggregator.
• Data Storage: Local filesystem for downloaded torrents and temporary conversion output; no external database required.
• Configuration: Environment variables control Jackett host/API key, OpenSubtitles credentials, subtitle languages, password protection, and Real Debrid integration.

Deployment & Infrastructure

RapidBay’s Docker image exposes port 5000 and requires only a few environment variables. It can be orchestrated via Docker‑Compose, Kubernetes (via Helm chart or plain manifests), or run directly on a VPS. The lightweight architecture scales horizontally by running multiple instances behind a reverse proxy; each instance maintains its own local cache, so load balancing is straightforward. The application’s stateless nature (except for file storage) makes scaling and rolling updates trivial.

Integration & Extensibility

• Plugin‑like Hooks: While RapidBay does not expose a formal plugin API, its configuration is entirely driven by environment variables, allowing developers to wrap the image in custom scripts or sidecar containers.
• Webhooks: The /registerHandler endpoint can be called programmatically to integrate with browser extensions or custom clients.
• API: Internally, RapidBay communicates with Jackett and OpenSubtitles via HTTP; developers can extend these interactions by adding additional services (e.g., custom subtitle providers) without modifying the core codebase.

Developer Experience

The project’s README is concise yet comprehensive, with clear Docker commands and environment variable documentation. The community support is modest but active; issues are triaged quickly, and the repository includes a Docker‑Compose example that demonstrates end‑to‑end integration with Jackett. The lack of complex configuration files and reliance on environment variables lowers the barrier to entry for developers who prefer declarative setups.

Use Cases

• Private Media Servers: Deploy RapidBay on a home NAS or cloud VM to stream torrents directly to smart TVs without exposing the torrent client.
• Educational Environments: Instructors can provide a curated list of lecture videos via torrent, with RapidBay handling conversion and subtitle embedding for student devices.
• Enterprise VPN Streaming: Combine RapidBay with a VPN (e.g., NordVPN) to securely stream copyrighted content in regions where torrenting is restricted.
• Kodi Frontends: RapidBay’s Kodi integration allows users to browse and stream torrent content from within the popular media center.

Advantages

• Zero‑Setup Media Pipeline: All heavy lifting—torrent resolution, format conversion, subtitle fetching—is automated.
• Cross‑Platform Compatibility: Output is guaranteed to play on any modern browser, Chromecast, or AppleTV.
• Open‑Source & Self‑Hosted: No licensing fees and full control over data, making it ideal for privacy‑conscious developers.
• Extensible via Docker: Easy to embed in existing container stacks, enabling rapid prototyping and deployment.
• Automatic Cleanup: Keeps disk usage in check without manual intervention, a common pain point for torrent‑based services.

RapidBay offers developers a turnkey solution to expose torrent content as a polished, web‑ready media experience while retaining the flexibility and control that self‑hosting demands.