From 1098075ccb2a760b6f944a8607c8018eae022dcc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: ACX <8075870+acx10@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:07:51 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] chore: redesign README with cleaner layout and rewritten copy
(#2728)
---
README.md | 452 +++++++++++++++++-------------------------------------
1 file changed, 138 insertions(+), 314 deletions(-)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97a4a450c..4fe89c991 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,249 +1,105 @@
-
-
-# ๐ BookLore
-
-### *Your Personal Library, Beautifully Organized*
-
-**๐ Official Website: [https://booklore.org](https://booklore.org/)**
-
-
+
-[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/releases)
-[](LICENSE)
-[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/stargazers)
-[](https://hub.docker.com/r/booklore/booklore)
+
Your books deserve a home. This is it.
-[](https://discord.gg/Ee5hd458Uz)
-[](https://opencollective.com/booklore)
-[](https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/booklore/)
+
+BookLore is a self-hosted app that brings your entire book collection under one roof.
+Organize, read, annotate, sync across devices, and share, all without relying on third-party services.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ ๐ Website ยท
+ ๐ Docs ยท
+ ๐ฎ Demo ยท
+ ๐ Quick Start ยท
+ ๐ฌ Discord
+
+
+
+
+
---
-**BookLore** is a powerful, self-hosted web application designed to organize and manage your personal book collection with elegance and ease. Build your dream library with an intuitive interface, robust metadata management, and seamless multi-user support.
+## โจ Features
-[๐ Get Started](#-getting-started-with-booklore) โข [๐ Documentation](https://booklore.org/docs/getting-started) โข [๐ฎ Try Demo](#-live-demo-explore-booklore-in-action) โข [๐ฌ Community](https://discord.gg/Ee5hd458Uz)
-
-
+| | Feature | Description |
+|:---:|:---|:---|
+| ๐ | **Smart Shelves** | Custom and dynamic shelves that organize themselves with rule-based Magic Shelves, filters, and full-text search |
+| ๐ | **Automatic Metadata** | Covers, descriptions, reviews, and ratings pulled from Google Books, Open Library, and Amazon, all editable |
+| ๐ | **Built-in Reader** | Open PDFs, EPUBs, and comics right in the browser with annotations, highlights, and reading progress |
+| ๐ | **Device Sync** | Connect your Kobo, use any OPDS-compatible app, or sync progress with KOReader. Your library follows you everywhere |
+| ๐ฅ | **Multi-User Ready** | Individual shelves, progress, and preferences per user with local or OIDC authentication |
+| ๐ฅ | **BookDrop** | Drop files into a watched folder and BookLore detects, enriches, and queues them for import automatically |
+| ๐ง | **One-Click Sharing** | Send any book to a Kindle, an email address, or a friend instantly |
---
-
+## ๐ Quick Start
-## โจ **Features That Make BookLore Shine**
+> [!TIP]
+> Looking for OIDC setup, advanced config, or upgrade guides? See the [full documentation](https://booklore.org/docs/getting-started).
-
-
-
-
-|
-
-### ๐ **Library Management**
-
-- **Smart Organization**: Custom shelves with powerful filters
-- **Magic Shelves**: Dynamic, auto-updating collections
-- **Auto Metadata**: Rich details from multiple sources
-- **Advanced Search**: Find any book instantly
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ **Connectivity**
-
-- **Kobo Integration**: Seamless device sync
-- **OPDS Support**: Connect any reading app
-- **KOReader Sync**: Cross-platform progress tracking
-- **Email Sharing**: One-click book sending
-
- |
-
-
-|
-
-### ๐ฅ **User Experience**
-
-- **Multi-User Support**: Granular permissions
-- **Flexible Auth**: Local or OIDC providers
-- **Mobile Ready**: Responsive on all devices
-- **Built-in Reader**: PDFs, EPUBs, comics
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ **Smart Features**
-
-- **BookDrop Import**: Auto-detect bulk files
-- **Private Notes**: Personal reading annotations
-- **Community Reviews**: Enriched book data
-- **Progress Tracking**: Reading statistics
-
- |
-
-
-
----
-
-
-
-## ๐ **Support the Project**
-
-
-
-
-
-Your support helps BookLore grow and improve! ๐ฑ
-
-
-
-|
-
-### โญ **Star Us**
-
-Give us a star to show your support and help others discover BookLore!
-
-[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore)
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ฐ **Sponsor**
-
-Support development, hosting, and testing costs
-
-[](https://opencollective.com/booklore)
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ข **Spread the Word**
-
-Share BookLore with fellow book lovers and developers!
-
- |
-
-
-
-> ๐ฏ **Current Goal:** Raising funds for a **Kobo device** to implement native Kobo sync support
-> [๐ก Support the Kobo Sync Bounty โ](https://opencollective.com/booklore/projects/kobo-device-for-testing)
-
-
-
----
-
-
-
-## ๐ฎ **Live Demo: Explore BookLore in Action**
-
-
-
-
-
-Experience BookLore's features in a live environment before deploying your own instance!
-
-| ๐ Demo URL | ๐ค Username | ๐ Password |
-|----------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------------|
-| **[demo.booklore.org](https://demo.booklore.org)** | `booklore` | `9HC20PGGfitvWaZ1` |
-
-> โ ๏ธ **Note:** Demo account has standard user permissions only.
-> Admin features (user management, library setup) require a self-hosted instance.
-
-
-
----
-
-
-
-## ๐ **Getting Started with BookLore**
-
-### Choose Your Path
-
-
-
-|
-
-### ๐ **Documentation**
-
-Guides for installation, setup, features, and more
-
-[](https://booklore.org/docs/getting-started)
-
-*Contribute to the docs at: [booklore-docs](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore-docs)*
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ณ **Quick Deploy**
-
-Get up and running in minutes with Docker
-
-[](#-deploy-with-docker)
-
-*Easiest way to self-host BookLore*
-
- |
-
-
-
-
-
----
-
-
-
-## ๐ณ **Deploy with Docker**
-
-
-
-### **Prerequisites**
-
-Ensure you have [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) and [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/) installed.
+All you need is [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) and [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/).
-๐ฆ Image Repositories
+๐ฆ Image Repositories
-- ๐ณ **Docker Hub:** `booklore/booklore`
-- ๐ฆ **GitHub Container Registry:** `ghcr.io/booklore-app/booklore`
+| Registry | Image |
+|----------|-------|
+| Docker Hub | `booklore/booklore` |
+| GitHub Container Registry | `ghcr.io/booklore-app/booklore` |
-> ๐ก Legacy images at `ghcr.io/adityachandelgit/booklore-app` remain available but won't receive updates.
+> Legacy images at `ghcr.io/adityachandelgit/booklore-app` remain available but won't receive updates.
-### **Step 1๏ธโฃ: Create Environment Configuration**
+### Step 1: Environment Configuration
-Create a `.env` file in your project directory:
+Create a `.env` file:
```ini
-# ๐ฏ BookLore Application Settings
+# Application
APP_USER_ID=1000
APP_GROUP_ID=1000
TZ=Etc/UTC
-# ๐๏ธ Database Connection (BookLore)
+# Database
DATABASE_URL=jdbc:mariadb://mariadb:3306/booklore
DB_USER=booklore
DB_PASSWORD=ChangeMe_BookLoreApp_2025!
-# ๐พ Storage type: LOCAL (default) or NETWORK. Set to NETWORK if using NFS/SMB - this disables file reorganization features to prevent data corruption.
+# Storage: LOCAL (default) or NETWORK (for NFS/SMB, disables file reorganization)
DISK_TYPE=LOCAL
-# ๐ง MariaDB Container Settings
+# MariaDB
DB_USER_ID=1000
DB_GROUP_ID=1000
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=ChangeMe_MariaDBRoot_2025!
MYSQL_DATABASE=booklore
```
-### **Step 2๏ธโฃ: Create Docker Compose File**
+### Step 2: Docker Compose
-Create a `docker-compose.yml` file:
+Create a `docker-compose.yml`:
```yaml
services:
booklore:
image: booklore/booklore:latest
- # Alternative: Use GitHub Container Registry
- # image: ghcr.io/booklore-app/booklore:latest
+ # Alternative: ghcr.io/booklore-app/booklore:latest
container_name: booklore
environment:
- USER_ID=${APP_USER_ID}
@@ -290,33 +146,34 @@ services:
retries: 10
```
-### **Step 3๏ธโฃ: Launch BookLore**
+### Step 3: Launch
```bash
docker compose up -d
```
-### **Step 4๏ธโฃ: Access Your Library**
-
-Open your browser and navigate to:
-
-**๐ http://localhost:6060**
-
-๐ **Welcome to your personal library!**
+Open **http://localhost:6060**, create your admin account, and start building your library.
---
-
+## ๐ฎ Live Demo
-## ๐ฅ **BookDrop: Automatic Import**
+See BookLore in action before deploying your own instance.
-### *Drop Files, Import Automatically*
+| | |
+|:---|:---|
+| ๐ **URL** | **[demo.booklore.org](https://demo.booklore.org)** |
+| ๐ค **Username** | `booklore` |
+| ๐ **Password** | `9HC20PGGfitvWaZ1` |
-
+> [!NOTE]
+> This is a standard user account. Admin features like library creation, user management, and system settings are only available on your own instance.
-BookLore's **BookDrop** feature automatically detects and processes book files dropped into a designated folder.
+---
-### **How It Works**
+## ๐ฅ BookDrop: Zero-Effort Import
+
+Drop book files into a folder. BookLore picks them up, pulls metadata, and queues everything for your review.
```mermaid
graph LR
@@ -325,96 +182,60 @@ graph LR
C --> D[โ
Review & Import]
```
-1. **File Watcher**: Monitors the BookDrop folder continuously
-2. **Auto-Detection**: Processes new files and extracts metadata
-3. **Metadata Enrichment**: Fetches details from Google Books, Open Library
-4. **Review & Finalize**: Review, edit, and import to your library
+| Step | What Happens |
+|:---|:---|
+| 1. **Watch** | BookLore monitors the BookDrop folder around the clock |
+| 2. **Detect** | New files are picked up and parsed automatically |
+| 3. **Enrich** | Metadata is fetched from Google Books and Open Library |
+| 4. **Import** | You review, tweak if needed, and add to your library |
-### **Docker Configuration**
-
-Add the BookDrop volume to your `docker-compose.yml`:
+Mount the volume in `docker-compose.yml`:
```yaml
-services:
- booklore:
- volumes:
- - ./data:/app/data
- - ./books:/books
- - ./bookdrop:/bookdrop # ๐ BookDrop magic happens here
+volumes:
+ - ./bookdrop:/bookdrop
```
---
-
-
-## ๐ค **Community & Support**
-
-
-|
-
-### ๐ **Bug Reports**
-
-Found an issue?
-
-[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/issues/new?template=bug_report.yml)
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ก **Feature Req**
-
-Have an idea?
-
-[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/issues/new?template=feature_request.yml)
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ค **Contribute**
-
-Join development!
-
-[](CONTRIBUTING.md)
-
- |
-
-
-### ๐ฌ **Chat**
-
-Join community!
-
-[](https://discord.gg/Ee5hd458Uz)
-
- |
-
-
-
-
+## ๐ค Community & Support
+| | |
+|:---|:---|
+| ๐ **Something not working?** | [Report a Bug](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/issues/new?template=bug_report.yml) |
+| ๐ก **Got an idea?** | [Request a Feature](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/issues/new?template=feature_request.yml) |
+| ๐ ๏ธ **Want to help build?** | [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) |
+| ๐ฌ **Come hang out** | [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/Ee5hd458Uz) |
---
-
+## ๐ Support BookLore
-## ๐ **Translations**
+BookLore is free, open source, and built with care. Here's how you can give back:
-Help translate BookLore into your language!
+| Action | How |
+|:---|:---|
+| โญ **Star this repo** | It's the simplest way to help others find BookLore |
+| ๐ฐ **Sponsor development** | [Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/booklore) funds hosting, testing, and new features |
+| ๐ข **Tell someone** | Share BookLore with a friend, a subreddit, or your local book club |
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> We're raising funds for a Kobo device to build and test native Kobo sync support.
+> [Contribute to the Kobo Bounty โ](https://opencollective.com/booklore/projects/kobo-device-for-testing)
+
+---
+
+## ๐ Translations
+
+BookLore is used by readers around the world. Help make it accessible in your language on [Weblate](https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/booklore/).
-Read more about translations [here](https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/booklore/).
-
-
-
---
-
-
-## ๐ **Project Analytics**
-
-### Repository Activity
+## ๐ Project Analytics

@@ -428,45 +249,53 @@ Read more about translations [here](https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/booklore/)
-
-
---
-
-
-## ๐จโ๐ป **Contributors**
-
-### Thanks to all our amazing contributors! ๐
+## ๐ฅ Contributors
[](https://github.com/booklore-app/booklore/graphs/contributors)
-**Want to see your face here?** [Start contributing today!](CONTRIBUTING.md)
-
-
+Every contribution matters. [See how you can help โ](CONTRIBUTING.md)
---
@@ -474,17 +303,12 @@ Read more about translations [here](https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/booklore/)
-## โ๏ธ **License**
+## โ๏ธ License
-**GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0)**
+**GNU Affero General Public License v3.0**
-Copyright ยฉ 2024-2026 BookLore
+Copyright 2024โ2026 BookLore
-[](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.html)
----
-
-Made with โค๏ธ by the BookLore community
-
-**[โฌ Back to Top](#-booklore)**
+[](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.html)