logo # Redsunlib > An alternative private front-end to Reddit, a fork of [Redlib](https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib) with some (minor) function and cosmetic changes.
![screenshot](https://git.stardust.wtf/attachments/7667e4e2-a32c-4269-9b5f-1d29cb3baf20) ### Disclaimer There are rapid changes/features in this fork that can(will) change without notice. If you want to host this version, be aware that it's likely to break at some point. I still wouldn't recommend it in a production environment unless you know what you're doing. Or like living on the edge....... > I would also like to thank the maintainers and contributors of both [Redlib](https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib) and [Libreddit](https://github.com/libreddit/libreddit) for all the work they did while I just added some low quality tacky features. ❤️ --- ## Table of Contents 1. [Redsunlib](#redsunlib) - [Disclaimer](#disclaimer) 2. [Table of Contents](#table-of-contents) 3. [Instances](#instances) 4. [About](#about) - [The Name](#the-name) - [Built with](#built-with) - [How is it different from other Reddit front ends?](#how-is-it-different-from-other-reddit-front-ends) - [Teddit](#teddit) - [Libreddit](#libreddit) 5. [Comparison](#comparison) - [Speed](#speed) - [Privacy](#privacy) - [Reddit](#reddit) - [Redlib](#redlib-1) - [Server](#server) 6. [Deployment](#deployment) - [Docker](#docker) - [Docker Compose](#docker-compose) - [Docker CLI](#docker-cli) - [Binary](#binary) - [Running as a systemd service](#running-as-a-systemd-service) - [Building from source](#building-from-source) 7. [Configuration](#configuration) - [Instance settings](#instance-settings) - [Default user settings](#default-user-settings) --- # Instances > [!WARNING] > 🔗 **Currently public Redsunlib instance are not available, consider using a [redlib](https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md) instance if you are not comfortable running your own** You are more than welcome to host an instance and submit an issue if you want it added. That is, if you've read the [Disclaimer](#disclaimer) and it's within your "personal risk tolerance." ;) --- # About Redlib hopes to provide an easier way to browse Reddit, without the ads, trackers, and bloat. Redlib was inspired by other alternative front-ends to popular services such as [Invidious](https://github.com/iv-org/invidious) for YouTube, [Nitter](https://github.com/zedeus/nitter) for Twitter, and [Bibliogram](https://sr.ht/~cadence/bibliogram/) for Instagram. Redlib currently implements most of Reddit's (signed-out) functionalities but still lacks [a few features](https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib/issues). ## The Name **Red sun** in the sky + Red**lib** = Redsunlib And at the time, I was reading an excerpt from Mao Zedong, so the name seemed appropriate. But paradoxically named since Reddit is basically the sinophobia capital of the internet :/ ## Built with - [Rust](https://www.rust-lang.org/) - Programming language - [Hyper](https://github.com/hyperium/hyper) - HTTP server and client - [Askama](https://github.com/djc/askama) - Templating engine - [Rustls](https://github.com/rustls/rustls) - TLS library ## How is it different from other Reddit front ends? ### Teddit Teddit is another awesome open source project designed to provide an alternative frontend to Reddit. There is no connection between the two, and you're welcome to use whichever one you favor. Competition fosters innovation and Teddit's release has motivated me to build Redlib into an even more polished product. If you are looking to compare, the biggest differences I have noticed are: - Redlib is themed around Reddit's redesign whereas Teddit appears to stick much closer to Reddit's old design. This may suit some users better as design is always subjective. - Redlib is written in [Rust](https://www.rust-lang.org) for speed and memory safety. It uses [Hyper](https://hyper.rs), a speedy and lightweight HTTP server/client implementation. ### Libreddit While originating as a fork of Libreddit, the name "Redlib" was adopted to avoid legal issues, as Reddit only allows the use of their name if structured as "XYZ For Reddit". Several technical improvements have also been made, including: - **OAuth token spoofing**: To circumvent rate limits imposed by Reddit, OAuth token spoofing is used to mimick the most common iOS and Android clients. While spoofing both iOS and Android clients was explored, only the Android client was chosen due to content restrictions when using an anonymous iOS client. - **Token refreshing**: The authentication token is refreshed every 24 hours, emulating the behavior of the official Android app. - **HTTP header mimicking**: Efforts are made to send along as many of the official app's headers as possible to reduce the likelihood of Reddit's crackdown on Redlib's requests. --- # Comparison This section outlines how Redlib compares to Reddit in terms of speed and privacy. ## Speed Last tested on January 12, 2024. Results from Google PageSpeed Insights ([Redlib Report](https://pagespeed.web.dev/report?url=https%3A%2F%2Fredlib.matthew.science%2F), [Reddit Report](https://pagespeed.web.dev/report?url=https://www.reddit.com)). | Performance metric | Redlib | Reddit | | ------------------- | -------- | --------- | | Speed Index | 0.6s | 1.9s | | Performance Score | 100% | 64% | | Time to Interactive | **2.8s** | **12.4s** | ## Privacy ### Reddit **Logging:** According to Reddit's [privacy policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/privacy-policy), they "may [automatically] log information" including: - IP address - User-agent string - Browser type - Operating system - Referral URLs - Device information (e.g., device IDs) - Device settings - Pages visited - Links clicked - The requested URL - Search terms **Location:** The same privacy policy goes on to describe that location data may be collected through the use of: - GPS (consensual) - Bluetooth (consensual) - Content associated with a location (consensual) - Your IP Address **Cookies:** Reddit's [cookie notice](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/cookies) documents the array of cookies used by Reddit including/regarding: - Authentication - Functionality - Analytics and Performance - Advertising - Third-Party Cookies - Third-Party Site ### Redlib For transparency, I hope to describe all the ways Redlib handles user privacy. #### Server - **Logging:** In production (when running the binary, hosting with docker, or using the official instances), Redlib logs nothing. When debugging (running from source without `--release`), Redlib logs post IDs fetched to aid with troubleshooting. - **Cookies:** Redlib uses optional cookies to store any configured settings in [the settings menu](https://redlib.matthew.science/settings). These are not cross-site cookies and the cookies hold no personal data. --- # Deployment This section covers multiple ways of deploying Redlib. Using [Docker](#docker) is recommended for production. For configuration options, see the [Configuration section](#Configuration). ## Docker [Docker](https://www.docker.com) lets you run containerized applications. Containers are loosely isolated environments that are lightweight and contain everything needed to run the application, so there's no need to rely on what's installed on the host. Docker images for Redsunlib are available at our [Gitea container registry](https://git.stardust.wtf/iridium/-/packages/container/redsunlib/latest), currently only with support for `amd64`, if you need `arm64`, or `armv7` platforms you can either build Redsunlib yourself or open an [issue](https://git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib/issues) :) ### Docker Compose > [!IMPORTANT] > These instructions assume the [Compose plugin](https://docs.docker.com/compose/migrate/#what-are-the-differences-between-compose-v1-and-compose-v2) has already been installed. If not, follow these [instructions on the Docker Docs](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install) for how to do so. Copy `compose.yaml` and modify any relevant values (for example, the ports Redlib should listen on). Start Redlib in detached mode (running in the background): ```bash docker compose up -d ``` Stream logs from the Redlib container: ```bash docker logs -f redlib ``` ### Docker CLI Deploy Redlib: ```bash docker pull git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib:latest docker run -d --name redlib -p 8080:8080 git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib:latest ``` Deploy using a different port on the host (in this case, port 80): ```bash docker pull git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib:latest docker run -d --name redlib -p 80:8080 git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib:latest ``` If you're using a reverse proxy in front of Redlib, prefix the port numbers with `127.0.0.1` so that Redlib only listens on the host port **locally**. For example, if the host port for Redlib is `8080`, specify `127.0.0.1:8080:8080`. Stream logs from the Redlib container: ```bash docker logs -f redlib ``` ## Binary Currently binaries are not supplied at this moment but will be at some point in the future but can be [built from source](#building-from-source) Copy the binary to `/usr/bin`: ```bash sudo cp ./redlib /usr/bin/redlib ``` Deploy Redlib to `0.0.0.0:8080`: ```bash redlib ``` > [!IMPORTANT] > If you're proxying Redlib through NGINX (see [issue #122](https://github.com/libreddit/libreddit/issues/122#issuecomment-782226853)), add > > ```nginx > proxy_http_version 1.1; > ``` > > to your NGINX configuration file above your `proxy_pass` line. ### Running as a systemd service You can use the systemd service available in `contrib/redlib.service` (install it on `/etc/systemd/system/redlib.service`). That service can be optionally configured in terms of environment variables by creating a file in `/etc/redlib.conf`. Use the `contrib/redlib.conf` as a template. You can also add the `REDLIB_DEFAULT__{X}` settings explained above. When "Proxying using NGINX" where the proxy is on the same machine, you should guarantee nginx waits for this service to start. Edit `/etc/systemd/system/redlib.service.d/reverse-proxy.conf`: ```conf [Unit] Before=nginx.service ``` ## Building from source To deploy Redsunlib with changes not yet included in the latest release, you can build the application from source. ```bash git clone https://git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib && cd redsunlib cargo run ``` --- # Configuration You can configure Redlib further using environment variables. For example: ```bash REDLIB_DEFAULT_SHOW_NSFW=on redlib ``` ```bash REDLIB_DEFAULT_WIDE=on REDLIB_DEFAULT_THEME=dark redlib -r ``` You can also configure Redlib with a configuration file named `redlib.toml`. For example: ```toml REDLIB_DEFAULT_WIDE = "on" REDLIB_DEFAULT_USE_HLS = "on" ``` > [!NOTE] > If you're deploying Redlib using the **Docker CLI or Docker Compose**, environment variables can be defined in a [`.env` file](https://docs.docker.com/compose/environment-variables/set-environment-variables/), allowing you to centralize and manage configuration in one place. > > To configure Redlib using a `.env` file, copy the `.env.example` file to `.env` and edit it accordingly. > > If using the Docker CLI, add ` --env-file .env` to the command that runs Redlib. For example: > > ```bash > docker run -d --name redlib -p 8080:8080 --env-file .env git.stardust.wtf/iridium/redsunlib:latest > ``` > > If using Docker Compose, no changes are needed as the `.env` file is already referenced in `compose.yaml` via the `env_file: .env` line. ## Instance settings Assign a default value for each instance-specific setting by passing environment variables to Redlib in the format `REDLIB_{X}`. Replace `{X}` with the setting name (see list below) in capital letters. | Name | Possible values | Default value | Description | | ------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `SFW_ONLY` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | Enables SFW-only mode for the instance, i.e. all NSFW content is filtered. | | `BANNER` | String | (empty) | Allows the server to set a banner to be displayed. Currently this is displayed on the instance info page. | | `ROBOTS_DISABLE_INDEXING` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | Disables indexing of the instance by search engines. | | `PUSHSHIFT_FRONTEND` | String | `undelete.pullpush.io` | Allows the server to set the Pushshift frontend to be used with "removed" links. | | `PORT` | Integer 0-65535 | `8080` | The **internal** port Redlib listens on. | ## Default user settings Assign a default value for each user-modifiable setting by passing environment variables to Redlib in the format `REDLIB_DEFAULT_{Y}`. Replace `{Y}` with the setting name (see list below) in capital letters. | Name | Possible values | Default value | | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | `THEME` | `["system", "light", "dark", "black", "dracula", "nord", "laserwave", "violet", "gold", "rosebox", "gruvboxdark", "gruvboxlight", "tokyoNight", "icebergDark"]` | `system` | | `MASCOT` | `["BoymoderBlahaj", "redsunlib" ... Add more at ./static/mascots] ` | _(none)_ | | `FRONT_PAGE` | `["default", "popular", "all"]` | `default` | | `LAYOUT` | `["card", "clean", "compact", "old", "waterfall"]` | `card` | | `WIDE` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `POST_SORT` | `["hot", "new", "top", "rising", "controversial"]` | `hot` | | `COMMENT_SORT` | `["confidence", "top", "new", "controversial", "old"]` | `confidence` | | `BLUR_SPOILER` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `SHOW_NSFW` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `BLUR_NSFW` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `USE_HLS` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `FFMPEG_VIDEO_DOWNLOADS` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `HIDE_HLS_NOTIFICATION` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `AUTOPLAY_VIDEOS` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `SUBSCRIPTIONS` | `+`-delimited list of subreddits (`sub1+sub2+sub3+...`) | _(none)_ | | `HIDE_AWARDS` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `DISABLE_VISIT_REDDIT_CONFIRMATION` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `HIDE_SCORE` | `["on", "off"]` | `off` | | `FIXED_NAVBAR` | `["on", "off"]` | `on` |