How to Install Calibre-Web for eBook Management

By Admin · Mar 2, 2026 · Updated Apr 23, 2026 · 27 views · 3 min read

How to Install Calibre-Web for eBook Management

Calibre-Web is a web-based application for browsing, reading, and managing your eBook collection. Built on top of the Calibre database format, it provides a modern web interface with OPDS support, on-server reading, and user management. Hosting Calibre-Web on your Breeze lets you access your entire library from any device with a web browser or eReader app.

Prerequisites

A Breeze instance with at least 1 GB of RAM
Docker installed on your Breeze
A Calibre library database (or willingness to create one)
A domain or subdomain (e.g., books.example.com)

Step 1 — Prepare the Library Directory

If you have an existing Calibre library, upload it to your Breeze. Otherwise, create an empty library structure:

mkdir -p /data/calibre-library /data/calibre-web/config
# If starting fresh, you need a metadata.db file
# The easiest way is to install calibre CLI and create one:
sudo apt install -y calibre
calibredb --library-path /data/calibre-library add --empty

Step 2 — Deploy with Docker

Run Calibre-Web using the linuxserver.io image:

docker run -d \
  --name calibre-web \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  -p 127.0.0.1:8083:8083 \
  -e PUID=1000 \
  -e PGID=1000 \
  -e TZ=America/New_York \
  -v /data/calibre-web/config:/config \
  -v /data/calibre-library:/books \
  lscr.io/linuxserver/calibre-web:latest

Step 3 — Initial Configuration

Access Calibre-Web at http://your-breeze-ip:8083. The default login is admin with password admin123. On first login, set the Calibre library location to /books.

Immediately change the default password under Admin → Edit User.

Step 4 — Set Up the Reverse Proxy

Configure Nginx to serve Calibre-Web over HTTPS:

server {
    listen 443 ssl http2;
    server_name books.example.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8083;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
        proxy_set_header X-Script-Name /;
    }
}

Step 5 — Configure eBook Conversion

To enable on-the-fly format conversion (e.g., EPUB to MOBI for older Kindles), install the Calibre CLI tools on the host or use a Docker image with them bundled:

# Set the Calibre binary path in Calibre-Web admin settings
# Admin → Basic Configuration → External Binaries → Path to Calibre E-Book Converter
/usr/bin/ebook-convert

Key Features

In-browser reading — read EPUB and PDF files directly in the web interface
OPDS catalog — connect eReader apps like KOReader, Moon+ Reader, or FBReader
Send to Kindle — email books directly to your Kindle device
User management — create accounts with per-user permissions and download quotas
Metadata editing — update book titles, authors, covers, and descriptions from the web UI
Custom shelves — organize books into personal reading lists

Adding Books

Upload eBooks through the web interface by clicking the upload button, or add them directly to the Calibre library on disk using the calibredb add command. Calibre-Web will detect new books on the next page refresh.

How to Install Calibre-Web for eBook Management