Kavita Hosting

1. Open your pod and register the initial administrator account.
2. Use PikaPods SFTP to place files in a subfolder of /books, /comics or /manga; each library should use its own subfolder.
3. In Kavita, create a library pointing to that folder, choose its content type and start a scan.

The getting-started guide explains library structure and scanning. Kavita serves files you supply; it does not include a book catalogue.

No. PikaPods sets up and runs Kavita 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.

Yes. The built-in readers adapt to phone, tablet and desktop browsers. Kavita also exposes an OPDS catalog for compatible reading apps; app support and any purchase price are separate. Check the OPDS guide and your reader's documentation for connection details.

Core library management and reading do not require Kavita+. The separate paid subscription adds internet-dependent features such as downloadable metadata, reviews, ratings, recommendations and scrobbling. You can keep using your own files and local metadata without it; see the Kavita+ overview for current terms.

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

Google Play Books combines a store with personal uploads of PDF and EPUB files. Kavita has no store and reads only files you add, but it also handles comic formats such as CBZ and CBR, and gives each user their own progress in a shared library. BookFusion is closer on formats, with DRM-free uploads and storage limits set by plan.

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.

Yes. Kavita is part of our Green Heart program, so part of the revenue from every deployed pod goes to the project.