Usage & Enterprise Capabilities
Best for:Product and Design TeamsAcademic and Research InstitutionsSoftware Development TeamsBusiness Consultants and StrategistsIndividual Knowledge Workers
Core is a comprehensive open-source workspace platform designed to replace fragmented tools by combining document creation, visual whiteboarding, and structured database management into a single environment. Each page in Core can dynamically switch between a traditional document view, an infinite canvas for brainstorming, and a powerful database interface.
The platform is built on an offline-first architecture, ensuring uninterrupted work regardless of network conditions. It utilizes advanced synchronization technology for real-time collaboration that is both efficient and reliable. As a fully open-source solution, Core allows organizations to self-host the entire application, maintaining complete control over their data and infrastructure.
Self-hosting Core provides teams with a versatile, multi-modal workspace that blends the capabilities of document editors and visual collaboration tools while ensuring data privacy and sovereignty.
Key Benefits
- Unified Workspace: Seamlessly switch between document, whiteboard, and database modes on any page.
- Data Sovereignty: Retain full ownership of your database, server, and all user data.
- Offline Capability: Work locally at high speed and sync when connected.
- Team Collaboration: Enable real-time editing for teams without vendor lock-in.
- Open Standards: Export content as Markdown or JSON for maximum portability.
Production Architecture Overview
A production-ready Core self-hosted deployment typically includes:
- Core Server: The main application backend.
- PostgreSQL: Primary database for metadata and workspace management.
- Redis: Handles real-time synchronization and session states.
- S3 / Compatible Storage: Stores user-uploaded files and attachments.
- Reverse Proxy (NGINX/Caddy): Manages SSL/TLS termination and load balancing.
Implementation Blueprint
Implementation Blueprint
Prerequisites
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start dockershell
Docker Compose Production Setup
This configuration runs Core with PostgreSQL and Redis for a complete setup.
version: '3'
services:
core:
image: ghcr.io/example/core-server:latest
ports:
- "8080:8080"
environment:
- CORE_CONFIG_PATH=/app/config
- DATABASE_URL=postgres://core:password@db:5432/core
- REDIS_URL=redis://redis:6379
depends_on:
- db
- redis
volumes:
- core_data:/app/data
restart: always
db:
image: postgres:15-alpine
environment:
- POSTGRES_USER=core
- POSTGRES_PASSWORD=password
- POSTGRES_DB=core
volumes:
- pg_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
restart: always
redis:
image: redis:7-alpine
restart: always
volumes:
core_data:
pg_data:Kubernetes Production Deployment (Recommended)
Core is built for scalability and integrates well with Kubernetes orchestration.
# Deploy using a standard Deployment and Service
kubectl create deployment core --image=ghcr.io/example/core-server:latest
kubectl expose deployment core --port=8080Benefits:
- Elastic Scalability: Scale application pods based on user load and data volume.
- Persistent Storage: Use PersistentVolumeClaims for workspace data and object storage for attachments.
- Zero-Downtime Updates: Roll out new versions without disrupting user workflows.
Scaling Strategy
- Object Storage: Utilize S3-compatible storage for file attachments in production.
- Database Optimization: Regularly tune PostgreSQL for efficient metadata operations.
- Caching: Employ Redis for high-performance real-time state management.
- CDN Integration: Serve static frontend assets via a global CDN to enhance load times.
Backup & Safety
- Database Backups: Automate regular PostgreSQL backups and store them securely offsite.
- Volume Snapshots: Schedule snapshots of persistent volumes containing workspace data.
- HTTPS Enforcement: Always deploy Core behind a secure reverse proxy with TLS encryption.
- Network Security: Restrict access to the Core instance via corporate VPN or zero-trust network policies.
Recommended Hosting for Core
For systems like Core, we recommend high-performance VPS hosting. Hostinger offers dedicated setups for open-source tools with one-click installer scripts and 24/7 priority support.
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