Ryot: Self-Hosted Life Tracker

Detailed Description of Ryot: A Self-Hosted Personal Tracker Platform

Introduction

Ryot is a powerful, self-hosted application designed to help users track various aspects of their lives—particularly media consumption and fitness activities—in one centralized platform. Pronounced "riot," the name reflects its role as a "Roll Your Own Tacker" (RYOT), emphasizing full data ownership and customization. Whether you enjoy reading books, watching anime, playing video games, or tracking workouts, Ryot provides an intuitive interface with detailed analytics to help users monitor progress over time.

This guide explores Ryot’s core features, technical architecture, installation process, and advanced functionalities, including its free and premium versions.

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Core Features of Ryot

1. Media Tracking

Ryot allows users to log a wide variety of media consumption, including:

• Movies & TV Shows – Track watched episodes and seasons.
• Anime & Manga – Sync data from platforms like MyAnimeList via API integrations.
• Books & Audiobooks – Import records from Goodreads or manually add entries.
• Podcasts & Music – Log listening sessions with timestamps.
• Video Games – Record gameplay progress and achievements.

Integration Capabilities

Ryot supports automatic tracking through popular media servers:

• Jellyfin, Plex, Kodi, Emby – Sync metadata directly from these platforms.
• Goodreads, Trakt, MyAnimeList – Import existing records seamlessly.

Example of Ryot’s media library interface.

2. Fitness & Workout Tracking

For fitness enthusiasts, Ryot offers:

• Exercise Logging – A comprehensive database of exercises with detailed descriptions.
• Body Measurements – Track weight, muscle measurements, and progress over time.
• Progress Visualization – Interactive graphs to monitor trends (e.g., weight loss, strength gains).

Example of Ryot’s workout logging with exercise datasets.

3. Technical & Customization Features

Ryot is built with performance and flexibility in mind:

• Self-Hosted & Open-Source – Full data ownership; no third-party restrictions.
• OpenID Connect Authentication – Secure login via OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc.).
• Notifications – Alerts via Discord, Ntfy, or Apprise for updates and reminders.
• GraphQL API – Develop custom integrations for advanced users.
• Progressive Web App (PWA) Support – Works offline with a mobile-friendly experience.

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Installation & Setup

Quick Start with Docker

Ryot can be easily deployed using Docker. Follow these steps:

1. Create docker-compose.yml:

   services:
     ryot-db:
       restart: unless-stopped
       image: postgres:18-alpine
       environment:
         - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=postgres
       volumes:
         - postgres_storage:/var/lib/postgresql

     ryot:
       image: ignisda/ryot:v10
       restart: unless-stopped
       ports:
         - "8000:8000"
       environment:
         - SERVER_ADMIN_ACCESS_TOKEN=CHANGE_ME_TO_A_LONG_RANDOM_STRING
         - DATABASE_URL=postgres://postgres:postgres@ryot-db:5432/postgres
       volumes:
         - postgres_storage:/data

   volumes:
     postgres_storage:

2. Run the Container:

   docker compose up -d

3. Access Ryot: Open http://localhost:8000 in a browser.

For production setups, consult the official installation guide.

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Self-Hosting & Data Ownership

Unlike cloud-based trackers, Ryot ensures users retain full control over their data:

• No third-party servers – All records are stored locally.
• Customizable backups – Users can export/import data manually.
• Open-source license (GPLv3) – Free to modify and distribute.

The Ryot dashboard with a clean, modern UI.

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Pro Features & Premium Upgrades

The free version provides essential tracking capabilities. However, Ryot Pro offers enhanced features:

• Profile Sharing – Sync data across multiple devices.
• Personalized Recommendations – AI-driven suggestions for books, shows, and workouts.
• Supercharged Collections – Advanced filtering and organization tools.

For more details, visit Ryot’s Pro Features page.

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Technical Architecture

Developed in Rust, Ryot prioritizes performance and security:

• Backend: Rust-based API for fast processing.
• Frontend: React.js for a responsive UI.
• Database: PostgreSQL for structured storage.

The platform also supports GraphQL for flexible querying, allowing developers to build custom integrations.

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Community & Support

Ryot’s open-source nature fosters collaboration:

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/ignisda/ryot
• Discord Community: https://discord.gg/D9XTg2a7R8 – Ask questions or report bugs.
• Documentation: https://docs.ryot.io

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Migration from Ryot v9

If upgrading from an older version, follow the migration guide for compatibility updates.

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Conclusion

Ryot is a versatile self-hosted tracker that simplifies media and fitness management with intuitive analytics. Whether you’re a casual user or a tech enthusiast, its open-source nature ensures flexibility while maintaining data privacy. For those seeking a powerful, customizable alternative to cloud-based trackers, Ryot delivers an efficient solution.

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Try it out: Visit the Live Demo or deploy it yourself using Docker!