Build from source

Most users should use the published Docker installation. This alternative builds a local image from a source checkout for contributors and early evaluation. It does not establish that the image was published or signed.

Prerequisites

Install Git and Docker with Compose (or Podman with a Compose provider). Use a 64-bit Linux host or start your container engine’s Linux VM on macOS. Have an existing absolute media path ready. The container build includes the media tools.

Build Player

git clone https://github.com/Kinosail/kinosail.git
cd kinosail/apps/player
cp .env.example .env
chmod 600 .env

Edit .env and set KINOSAIL_MEDIA_PATH to the existing absolute media directory. Clear KINOSAIL_BACKUP_KEY_FILE= for this source quickstart: source Compose does not mount the release installer’s secret file. Automatic encrypted backups remain unavailable until you configure a key.

docker compose up --build --detach
docker compose logs --tail 50 kinosail

Open https://localhost:38127, create the Owner, enroll a passkey or TOTP authenticator, and complete first setup.

Keep your state

Run updates from the same app directory with the same Compose project name. docker compose down preserves named volumes; down --volumes deletes them. Back up before rebuilding to a new source revision.

See contributing for direct Go builds, tests, and repository conventions.