Calibre Web Hosting

Open your pod and sign in using the administrator details in the PikaPods post-install instructions. Change those details immediately. PikaPods supplies an empty database in /books; if prompted for the Calibre database location, select that folder.

You can instead use your own complete Calibre library, including metadata.db and its book folders. Enable uploads in Basic Configuration if you want to add books through the browser. See the quick start for the database setup.

No. PikaPods sets up and runs Calibre Web for you, including OS and app updates and HTTPS. You won't touch Docker or a server. Your files and database stay accessible if you ever want to move them elsewhere.

Use your pod URL in a browser to read supported formats or download books. An OPDS-compatible reading app can connect to the catalog at your pod URL followed by /opds. Device support varies; check the project documentation before choosing a reader or sync method.

You supply your own ebook files and Calibre library. No ebook-store subscription is needed to browse or download your collection, but books and third-party reader apps can have their own costs. Optional email delivery needs email settings and may require a separate mail provider.

Set up incremental backups to S3 in your pod settings for automatic nightly snapshots, or download your files and database yourself. We keep whole-server backups for server failures, but they aren't a per-pod restore service, so your own backup is what protects your data.

You can use Calibre Web instead of Google Play Books and BookFusion. PikaPods runs it for you, and you can move your files and database elsewhere.

Google Play Books mixes a store with personal PDF and EPUB uploads. Calibre Web has no store, and serves a Calibre library with shelves and separate accounts, using OPDS to reach reading apps. It suits you best if you already use Calibre to manage metadata.

No. You add prepaid credit and your pods are billed by the hour from that balance, rounded up to full hours. There are no contracts or minimum terms: delete a pod anytime and billing stops. Optional automatic top-ups keep your pods running without manual payments.

You do. And you're in full control. If you ever want to download, migrate, edit or delete your data, just enable file and database access for your pod and it will be right there.