Are you a frequent user of a read-it-later service, such as Pocket or Instapaper? With the Docker application I am presenting today, you can host your very own and fully featured read-it-later service on your Unraid server. Meet wallabag.
While I have no problem with applications such as Pocket, after all, it is developed by the Mozilla Corporation, I do like to self-host as many things I can. While I do frequently use wallabag, it isn’t mission critical, and I can deal with it being down for a brief time while I am updating the app or Unraid. By using wallabag, I can rest assured that even if development of the project ceases, I will still be able to access my server and read my articles.
What is wallabag?
The wallabag server allows you to save any articles you might be interested in reading. Content can be added manually, by copy/pasting the URL to the dashboard, or automatically using the Chrome or Firefox extension or smartphone app. It will strip the page of all unnecessary fluff, such as ads and sidebars, and only display the relevant text and images. And yes, I do realize the irony of me talking about ads and sidebars on this website.
Once you add an article to your wallabag server, it is stored there and not pulled from the website every time you open it. You won’t have to worry about a website going down, or even disappearing, as the article is safely stored on your Unraid array. This will also allow you to synchronize your reading list for offline reading with one of the many apps available. Once you have read an article, you can either archive it, and thus keep it on your server, or delete it.
How to install wallabag on Unraid
The wallabag installation is as easy as it gets, which is one of the many benefits of using the Unraid Community Applications. Simply search for the application and hit the installation button. My installation worked without having to modify the template.
If you do decide to expose your wallabag read-it-later list to the internet, for example by using Nginx Proxy Manager, you must make sure you enable websockets. If you don’t, wallabag’s appearance won’t be quite right.
