Every homelab enthusiast knows the journey is one of constant tinkering, learning, and discovery. But how do you keep track of it all? From a minor configuration tweak to a major server overhaul, remembering every command, change, and breakthrough can be a challenge.

That's why I created EchoLog - a simple, beautiful, and self-hosted journaling platform designed specifically for you.

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What is EchoLog?

EchoLog is your personal homelab companion. It provides a clean, secure, and self-hosted space to document your daily work, track changes, and maintain a searchable record of all your activities. With a focus on simplicity and privacy, EchoLog helps you stay organised and, most importantly, in control of your own data. Forget third-party services and cluttered note-taking apps; EchoLog is built for the homelab.

Features Built for You

I designed EchoLog with the core needs of a homelab user in mind (being one myself made this pretty easy):

  • Modern & Responsive UI: Built with Tailwind CSS, the user interface is clean, modern, and fully responsive, looking great on your desktop, tablet, or phone.

  • Easy Daily Journaling: Quickly jot down notes, commands, and observations. The intuitive design makes daily logging effortless.

  • Powerful Search: Can't remember that one command you used three weeks ago? EchoLog’s search functionality lets you instantly find any entry, saving you time and frustration.

  • Secure Login System: Keep your journal private with a built-in, secure login system. You can also disable it for easy access within a trusted network.

  • PWA Support: Install EchoLog as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your devices for a native app-like experience and quick access from your home screen.

  • Docker & Docker Compose Ready: Get up and running in minutes. EchoLog is containerised and comes with a straightforward docker-compose.yml file for easy deployment.

  • Reliable Data Storage: Your data is stored securely in a MySQL or MariaDB database, giving you full ownership and control over your homelab's history.

Get Started in Minutes with Docker

Self-hosting EchoLog is incredibly simple. If you have Docker and Docker Compose installed, you can launch your own instance with just a few steps.

Here is a sample docker-compose.yml to get you started:

services:
  echolog:
    image: ghcr.io/jdb-net/echolog:latest
    ports:
      - "80:5000"
    restart: always
    environment:
      - SECRET_KEY=your_secret_key
      - TZ=Europe/London
      - MYSQL_HOST=mariadb
      - MYSQL_USER=echolog
      - MYSQL_PASSWORD=your_mysql_password
      - MYSQL_DATABASE=echolog
      # Optional login
      - LOGIN_ENABLED=false
      - LOGIN_USERNAME=admin
      - LOGIN_PASSWORD=admin_password
    depends_on:
      - mariadb

  mariadb:
    image: mariadb:latest
    restart: always
    environment:
      - MARIADB_RANDOM_ROOT_PASSWORD=yes
      - MARIADB_DATABASE=echolog
      - MARIADB_USER=echolog
      - MARIADB_PASSWORD=your_mysql_password
    volumes:
      - mariadb_data:/var/lib/mysql

volumes:
  mariadb_data:

Just update the environment variables, run docker compose up -d, and your personal homelab journal will be live!

Take Control of Your Notes

Stop scattering your notes across random text files and proprietary apps. Bring your documentation home, where it belongs.

Ready to start journaling? Head over to projects.jdbnet.co.uk/echolog to find out more and deploy your own instance of EchoLog today.