# A really-real time collaborative word processor for the web
![Demo Etherpad Animated Jif](https://i.imgur.com/zYrGkg3.gif "Etherpad in action on PrimaryPad")

# About
Etherpad is a really-real time collaborative editor scalable to thousands of simultanious real time users.  Unlike all other collaborative tools Etherpad provides full fidelity data export and portability making it fully GDPR compliant.  

**[Try it out](http://beta.etherpad.org)**

# Installation

## Requirements
- `nodejs` >= **6.9.0** (preferred: `nodejs` >= **8.9**)

## Uber-Quick Ubuntu
```
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_9.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
git clone https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite.git && cd etherpad-lite && bin/run.sh
```

## GNU/Linux and other UNIX-like systems
You'll need gzip, git, libssl develop libraries, python and gcc.
- *For Debian/Ubuntu*: `apt install gzip git python libssl-dev pkg-config build-essential`
- *For Fedora/CentOS*: `yum install gzip git python openssl-devel && yum groupinstall "Development Tools"`
- *For FreeBSD*: `portinstall node, npm, git (optional)`

Additionally, you'll need [node.js](https://nodejs.org) installed (minimum required Node version: **6.9.0**).
Ideally, the latest stable version is preferred. Please note that the packages offered on some operating systems are outdated. In those cases, we recommend installing nodejs from official archives or compiling it from source (avoiding yum/apt).

**As any user (we recommend creating a separate user called etherpad):**

1. Move to a folder where you want to install Etherpad. Clone the git repository: `git clone git://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite.git`
2. Change into the new directory containing the cloned source code: `cd etherpad-lite`

Now, run `bin/run.sh` and open <http://127.0.0.1:9001> in your browser.

Update to the latest version with `git pull origin`. The next start with `bin/run.sh` will update the dependencies.

[Next steps](#next-steps).

## Windows

### Prebuilt Windows package
This package works out of the box on any windows machine, but it's not very useful for developing purposes...

1. [Download the latest Windows package](http://etherpad.org/#download)
2. Extract the folder

Now, run `start.bat` and open <http://localhost:9001> in your browser. You like it? [Next steps](#next-steps).

### Fancy install
You'll need [node.js](https://nodejs.org) and (optionally, though recommended) git.

1. Grab the source, either
  - download <https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/zipball/master>
  - or `git clone https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite.git` (for this you need git, obviously)
2. start `bin\installOnWindows.bat`

Now, run `start.bat` and open <http://localhost:9001> in your browser.

Update to the latest version with `git pull origin`, then run `bin\installOnWindows.bat`, again.

If cloning to a subdirectory within another project, you may need to do the following:

1. Start the server manually (e.g. `node/node_modules/ep_etherpad-lite/node/server.js`)
2. Edit the db `filename` in `settings.json` to the relative directory with the file (e.g. `application/lib/etherpad-lite/var/dirty.db`)
3. Add auto-generated files to the main project `.gitignore`

# Next Steps

## Tweak the settings
You can modify the settings in `settings.json`.
If you need to handle multiple settings files, you can pass the path to a settings file to `bin/run.sh` using the `-s|--settings` option: this allows you to run multiple Etherpad instances from the same installation.
Similarly, `--credentials` can be used to give a settings override file, `--apikey` to give a different APIKEY.txt file and `--sessionkey` to give a non-default SESSIONKEY.txt.
Once you have access to your /admin section settings can be modified through the web browser.

You should use a dedicated database such as "mysql", if you are planning on using etherpad-in a production environment, since the "dirtyDB" database driver is only for testing and/or development purposes.

## Secure your installation
If you have enabled authentication in `users` section in `settings.json`, it is a good security practice to **store hashes instead of plain text passwords** in that file. This is _especially_ advised if you are running a production installation.

Please install [ep_hash_auth plugin](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ep_hash_auth) and configure it.
If you prefer, `ep_hash_auth` also gives you the option of storing the users in a custom directory in the file system, without having to edit `settings.json` and restart Etherpad each time.

## Plugins and themes

Etherpad is very customizable through plugins. Instructions for installing themes and plugins can be found in [the plugin wiki article](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki/Available-Plugins).

## Helpful resources
The [wiki](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki) is your one-stop resource for Tutorials and How-to's.

Documentation can be found in `doc/`.

# Development

## Things you should know
Understand [git](https://training.github.com/) and watch this [video on getting started with Etherpad Development](https://youtu.be/67-Q26YH97E).

If you're new to node.js, start with Ryan Dahl's [Introduction to Node.js](https://youtu.be/jo_B4LTHi3I).

You can debug Etherpad using `bin/debugRun.sh`.

If you want to find out how Etherpad's `Easysync` works (the library that makes it really realtime), start with this [PDF](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/raw/master/doc/easysync/easysync-full-description.pdf) (complex, but worth reading).

## Contributing
Read our [**Developer Guidelines**](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)

# Get in touch
[mailinglist](https://groups.google.com/group/etherpad-lite-dev)
[#etherpad-lite-dev freenode IRC](https://webchat.freenode.net?channels=#etherpad-lite-dev)!

# Languages
Etherpad is written in JavaScript on both the server and client so it's easy for developers to maintain and add new features.

# HTTP API
Etherpad is designed to be easily embeddable and provides a [HTTP API](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki/HTTP-API)
that allows your web application to manage pads, users and groups. It is recommended to use the [available client implementations](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki/HTTP-API-client-libraries) in order to interact with this API. 

# jQuery plugin 
There is a [jQuery plugin](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite-jquery-plugin) that helps you to embed Pads into your website.

# Plugin Framework
Etherpad offers a plugin framework, allowing you to easily add your own features.  By default your Etherpad is extremely light-weight and it's up to you to customize your experience.  Once you have Etherpad installed you should visit the plugin page and take control.

# Translations / Localizations  (i18n / l10n)
Etherpad comes with translations into all languages thanks to the team at TranslateWiki.

# FAQ
Visit the **[FAQ](https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki/FAQ)**.

# Donate!
* [Flattr](https://flattr.com/thing/71378/Etherpad-Foundation)
* Paypal - Press the donate button on [etherpad.org](http://etherpad.org)
* [Bitcoin](https://coinbase.com/checkouts/1e572bf8a82e4663499f7f1f66c2d15a)

All donations go to the Etherpad foundation which is part of Software Freedom Conservency

# License
[Apache License v2](http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html)
