Self-host dobase
2026.10.27Workspace app with mail, boards, docs, chat, and video rooms
- Stars
- 178
- Port
- 80 (HTTP web server in container)
- Requires
- SQLite
ghcr.io/smgdkngt/dobase
What is dobase?
Dobase is an open-source workspace you host yourself, built with Ruby on Rails, Hotwire, and Tailwind CSS. It bundles eight tools — Mail (IMAP/SMTP), Board (kanban), Docs (rich text with live cursors), Chat (real-time messaging), Todos (task lists), Files (folders, gallery, public links), Calendar (CalDAV sync), and Room (video calls via LiveKit) — each shareable with different collaborators. The interface uses a tiling window metaphor where tools arrange themselves as tiles, supports keyboard-first navigation, system light/dark mode plus 22 themes, and works as a PWA. It deploys as a single Docker container with SQLite storage via ONCE, Kamal, Docker Compose, or Railway, and offers a JSON API and CLI for automation. All data stays on your server with no analytics or tracking.
Should you self-host dobase?
dobase scores 47/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #20 of 30 in Collaboration. It has 178 GitHub stars.
It shipped 25 stable releases in the past year. The latest, 2026.10.27, came out on 27 October 2026. New versions land roughly every 2 days.
Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. An official Docker image is available. It is MIT-licensed and written mostly in Ruby.
Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is penpot (84/100, 61 787 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See dobase vs penpot side by side.
Features
- 22 themes with system sync
- CalDAV calendar sync
- Command Line Interface
- Keyboard-first navigation
- Live presence indicators
- Notifications and @mentions
- Per-tool sharing
- Public File Sharing
- Real-time collaborative editing
- REST/JSON API
- Tiling window UI
- Two-factor authentication
- Unified Search
- Video ConferencingRequires external LiveKit server
dobase README
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