Guide · Open source
How to use Shiori: install, save links and search bookmarks
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Shiori is an open-source bookmark manager written in Go. It is meant as a simple clone of Pocket, so you can save links you want to read later or keep, then search and organize them. This guide explains what Shiori is good for, how to get it from the repository, and how to use its command line and web interfaces.
Shiorigo-shiori/shiori · ★ 11.7k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Get the code. Run the clone command from the README to download the repository.
- 2Read the docs. Open the docs folder in the repository for setup and command details.
- 3Build or obtain the binary. Follow the docs to get the single Shiori binary for your machine.
- 4Add your first bookmark. Use the command line to save a link you want to read later.
- 5Search and organize. Search your bookmarks and edit or delete entries as needed.
- 6Try the web interface. If you prefer a browser, start the web application and manage bookmarks there.
- 7Import existing bookmarks. Import a Netscape Bookmark file or Pocket export to bring in your old links.
What Shiori does and who it is for
Shiori saves links, lets you search them and lets you organize them. You can run it as a command line application or as a web application. The README describes it as a simple clone of Pocket and as a tool you run yourself.
It suits people who want a self-hosted alternative to Pocket for saving articles, people who prefer a command line tool, and anyone who wants a simple web interface for bookmarks. It is not a hosted service with no setup, and the README does not describe advanced collaboration or sharing features.
- Add, edit, delete and search bookmarks
- Import and export bookmarks from a Netscape Bookmark file
- Import bookmarks from Pocket
- Support for sqlite3, PostgreSQL, MariaDB and MySQL as the database
- Where possible, create an offline archive of a webpage's readable content
Get Shiori from the repository
The README lists a single install command: clone the repository. Shiori is distributed as a single binary, so once you have it you can move it between machines. The README does not list prerequisites for installation.
The project's docs folder holds the full documentation, so check there for build and setup details that the README does not cover.
git clone https://github.com/go-shiori/shioriSave and search bookmarks from the command line
Shiori offers a simple, clean command line interface for managing bookmarks. The README confirms that you can add, edit, delete and search bookmarks from it. The exact command names and flags are in the docs folder, so check them there before you script anything.
- Add a link you want to keep or read later
- Search your saved bookmarks by text
- Edit or delete an entry you no longer need
Use the web interface
If you do not want to use the command line, Shiori includes a simple web interface. It is the option for people who want to browse and manage their bookmarks in a browser.
The browser extension for Firefox and Chrome is marked BETA in the README. It is a separate project, so treat it as less stable than the core app.
Import, export and offline copies
You can import bookmarks from a Netscape Bookmark file and from Pocket, and export them back to a Netscape Bookmark file. This helps if you are moving from Pocket or another bookmark tool.
By default, where possible, Shiori parses the readable content of a page and creates an offline archive. The README says this is not guaranteed for every page, so do not rely on it for every link.
Choose a database and keep your data
Shiori supports sqlite3, PostgreSQL, MariaDB and MySQL. The README does not say which one to pick for your situation, so choose based on what you already run. Because the app is a single binary, you can move it between machines, but back up your database and exported bookmarks regularly.
What people use it for
- Replacing Pocket with a self-hosted list for articles you want to read later
- Keeping a command line record of links you research
- Running a simple web page for your personal bookmarks
- Moving bookmarks between machines with one binary
Frequently asked questions
Is Shiori free?
Shiori is distributed under the MIT license, which the README says lets you use and modify it however you want. The README asks that you send a pull request if you make an enhancement.
What do I need to install Shiori?
The source does not list any prerequisites. The README gives one install command, which clones the repository from GitHub, and the docs folder has the rest of the setup.
Is Shiori a Pocket alternative?
The README describes Shiori as a simple clone of Pocket. It can import bookmarks from Pocket and is meant to be self-hosted rather than a hosted service.
Does Shiori save offline copies of pages?
Yes, where possible. By default Shiori parses the readable content of a webpage and creates an offline archive.
Is the Shiori browser extension ready for daily use?
The README marks the web extension for Firefox and Chrome as BETA, so it may not be fully stable. The core app is the safer choice for regular use.
How does Shiori compare to Wallabag, Linkding or Pocket?
Wallabag, Linkding and Pocket are comparable projects. The source does not include a feature comparison, so read each project's documentation and try them to see which fits you.
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Our verdict
Shiori suits people who want a simple, self-hosted Pocket-style bookmark manager with a command line tool or a basic web interface. If you want a hosted service with no setup, or you need collaboration and sharing features, pick a different tool. Treat the browser extension as beta.
Install options & downloads