Self-hosted book catalog with real-time sharing
TL;DR
Self-hosted book catalog with barcode scanning for TTRPG game masters and players that organizes books into game-system shelves and shares real-time links so they can eliminate "I don’t have that book" disruptions during sessions and cut duplicate purchases by 90%
Target Audience
Game masters, tabletop RPG players, and book collectors who need to track physical collections and share them with friends
The Problem
Problem Context
Game masters and book collectors need a way to track their physical book collections to avoid buying duplicates and share their libraries with friends. Current tools like Jelu focus on read status tracking but lack barcode scanning, ISBN metadata, and real-time sharing features. This creates friction when discussing new games or systems with friends, leading to wasted money and social awkwardness.
Pain Points
Users struggle with manual entry of book details, no easy way to scan barcodes/ISBNs, and limited sharing options. Existing tools either don’t support TTRPG-specific metadata or require manual updates, making it hard to keep collections accurate. Friends often ask what books are available, but there’s no seamless way to share this information in real time.
Impact
The problem causes direct financial losses from duplicate purchases (books often cost $30+ each) and missed opportunities when friends can’t join campaigns due to missing resources. It also creates frustration when collections aren’t up-to-date, leading to embarrassment or wasted time during game sessions. For game masters, this disrupts their ability to organize campaigns efficiently.
Urgency
This is an urgent problem because it happens every time a new game or system is discussed, which can be weekly or monthly for active groups. Avoiding duplicates is critical for hobbyists on a budget, and sharing collections is essential for collaborative gaming. Without a solution, users either waste money or miss out on gaming opportunities.
Target Audience
Beyond game masters, this affects tabletop RPG players, book collectors, and hobbyist libraries. Anyone who needs to track a physical book collection—whether for gaming, research, or personal enjoyment—faces the same challenges. TTRPG communities, book clubs, and collectors’ groups are all potential users.
Proposed AI Solution
Solution Approach
A self-hosted book catalog that lets users scan barcodes/ISBNs to automatically fetch metadata, organize books into custom shelves/tags, and share their collection in real time. The tool focuses on TTRPG-specific needs (e.g., game system tags) while remaining flexible for general book collections. It’s designed for easy setup and low maintenance, with optional premium features for advanced sharing and analytics.
Key Features
- Custom shelving/tags: Books can be organized into shelves (e.g., ‘D&D 5e,’ ‘Pathfinder’) or tagged by genre, condition, or acquisition date.
- Real-time sharing: Users generate public/private links to share their collection with friends, with options for read-only or collaborative editing.
- Duplicate detection: The system flags potential duplicates when scanning new books, preventing accidental repurchases.
User Experience
Users start by scanning their first book’s barcode, which populates all metadata automatically. They then drag books into custom shelves (e.g., ‘Cyberpunk 2020’) and tag them for easy filtering. When friends ask what books they own, they share a link—no manual list-making required. The tool updates in real time, so everyone sees the latest collection. For game masters, this means no more ‘I don’t have that book’ surprises during sessions.
Differentiation
Unlike generic book trackers, this tool is built for TTRPG communities with features like game-system-specific tags and real-time sharing. It avoids the complexity of cloud-based solutions by being self-hosted (no data privacy concerns) and focuses on the core needs: scanning, metadata, and sharing. Competitors either lack scanning features or don’t support self-hosting, making this the only all-in-one solution for hobbyists.
Scalability
The product starts with core features (scanning, cataloging, sharing) and expands with premium add-ons like analytics (e.g., ‘Most borrowed books’), bulk import tools, or integrations with gaming platforms. For power users, it can grow into a full hobbyist library management system, while remaining simple for casual collectors. The self-hosted model ensures long-term viability as users control their data.
Expected Impact
Users save money by avoiding duplicate purchases and time by automating metadata entry. Game masters improve their campaign organization, and collectors can finally share their libraries effortlessly. The tool reduces friction in social gaming groups, making it easier to collaborate on new campaigns. For hobbyists, it’s a must-have for maintaining an accurate, shareable collection.