How To Install Linkwarden on openSUSE

Bookmarks are essential tools for organizing our digital lives, but traditional browser bookmarking has significant limitations. Link rot, disorganization, and the inability to collaborate effectively can make managing bookmarks frustrating. Linkwarden offers an elegant solution by providing a self-hosted bookmark manager that preserves web content, enables collaboration, and provides powerful organization tools.

This comprehensive guide walks you through installing Linkwarden on openSUSE, giving you complete control over your bookmark management system. Whether you’re a home lab enthusiast or a privacy-conscious user, you’ll find the information you need to get Linkwarden up and running smoothly on your openSUSE system.

Understanding Linkwarden

Before diving into installation, it’s important to understand what makes Linkwarden a valuable tool for managing your online resources.

Linkwarden addresses the persistent problem of link rot—when bookmarked links eventually break as websites change or disappear. Unlike traditional browser bookmarks, Linkwarden preserves the content of bookmarked pages by saving them as HTML archives, screenshots, and even PDF documents. This ensures that even if the original page becomes unavailable, you’ll still have access to the information.

Beyond preservation, Linkwarden offers robust organization capabilities. You can arrange bookmarks into collections, apply tags for easy filtering, and use a powerful search function to quickly locate specific content. This structured approach makes managing hundreds or thousands of bookmarks significantly more efficient.

Collaboration is another standout feature. Linkwarden allows you to share collections with team members or make them publicly accessible. This makes it an excellent tool for research teams, content curators, or anyone who needs to share resources with others.

As an open-source application, Linkwarden gives you complete control over your data. By self-hosting on your openSUSE system, you maintain privacy and avoid the limitations of cloud-based alternatives.

System Requirements

Before installing Linkwarden on your openSUSE system, ensure your hardware meets the following requirements:

• Processor: At minimum, a dual-core processor is recommended
• RAM: 2GB minimum, though 4GB or more is recommended for smoother operation
• Storage: At least 10GB of free disk space
• Network: Standard internet connection for web access
• openSUSE Version: Compatible with both openSUSE Leap and Tumbleweed

While Linkwarden has relatively minimal hardware requirements, the application will perform better with additional resources, especially if you plan to archive many webpages or have multiple users accessing the system simultaneously. According to the official documentation, Linkwarden has been tested on systems with 4GB of memory and performs smoothly.

Installation Options Overview

Linkwarden offers two primary installation methods on openSUSE:

• Docker Installation: This method is recommended for most users, especially beginners. Docker containers provide an isolated environment that simplifies dependency management and updates. The installation is generally faster and more straightforward with Docker.
• Manual Installation: This approach gives you more control over the installation process but requires more technical knowledge. You’ll need to install and configure dependencies individually, which can be more time-consuming but may be preferred by advanced users who want fine-grained control.

Both methods will result in a fully functional Linkwarden instance, so the choice depends on your technical comfort level and specific requirements. If you’re new to self-hosting applications, the Docker method is generally recommended as it requires fewer steps and handles dependencies automatically.

Preparing Your openSUSE System

Before installing Linkwarden, you’ll need to prepare your openSUSE system by updating packages and installing prerequisites. These steps ensure a smooth installation process.

First, update your system’s package repositories and install any pending updates:

sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update

Since we’ll be using repositories outside the standard openSUSE ones, it’s important to understand the implications. As noted in the openSUSE documentation, additional repositories are not officially supported by openSUSE. While they’re generally safe to use, you should be aware that they may cause update conflicts in the future.

For this installation, we’ll need to install some essential packages that vary depending on whether you choose the Docker or manual installation method.

For Docker Installation:

Install Docker and Docker Compose:

sudo zypper install docker docker-compose
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

After adding yourself to the Docker group, log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

For Manual Installation:

Install the required dependencies:

sudo zypper install git nodejs npm postgresql monolith

Verify the installations:

git --version
node --version
npm --version
psql --version
monolith --version

Now that your system is prepared, let’s move on to the actual installation process.

Docker Installation Method

Docker provides an elegant solution for installing Linkwarden, as it packages all dependencies in a containerized environment. This method is recommended for most users due to its simplicity and isolation.

Setting Up Docker

First, ensure Docker is properly installed and running on your openSUSE system:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

If these commands return version information, you’re ready to proceed. If not, revisit the system preparation steps.

Creating a Project Directory

Create a dedicated directory for your Linkwarden installation:

mkdir linkwarden
cd linkwarden

Downloading Configuration Files

Download the necessary Docker Compose file and environment configuration:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/linkwarden/linkwarden/main/docker-compose.yml
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/linkwarden/linkwarden/main/.env.sample -o ".env"

Configuring Environment Variables

The .env file contains crucial configuration settings for your Linkwarden installation. Edit this file:

nano .env

At minimum, you need to modify the following variables:

NEXTAUTH_URL=http://localhost:3000/api/v1/auth
NEXTAUTH_SECRET=VERY_SENSITIVE_SECRET
POSTGRES_PASSWORD=YOUR_POSTGRES_PASSWORD

Replace VERY_SENSITIVE_SECRET with a random, secure string to protect your authentication. Similarly, replace YOUR_POSTGRES_PASSWORD with a strong password for the PostgreSQL database.

If you plan to access Linkwarden from other devices or expose it to the internet, change the NEXTAUTH_URL to reflect your server’s domain name or IP address.

Running the Docker Container

With everything configured, you can now start Linkwarden:

docker-compose up -d

This command launches Linkwarden in detached mode, allowing it to run in the background. Docker will download the necessary images and create containers according to your configuration.

Verify that the containers are running properly:

docker-compose ps

You should see two containers: the Linkwarden application and the PostgreSQL database.

Accessing Your Installation

Once the containers are running, you can access Linkwarden by opening a web browser and navigating to:

http://localhost:3000

If you’ve configured a different URL in your environment variables, use that instead. You should see the Linkwarden login page, where you can create your first user account.

Manual Installation Method

For users who prefer more control over the installation process, the manual method provides a more granular approach. This method requires more technical knowledge but offers greater customization.

Installing Dependencies

First, ensure all required dependencies are installed on your openSUSE system.

Install Node.js and Yarn (if not already installed):

sudo zypper install nodejs npm
npm install -g yarn

Install PostgreSQL for the database:

sudo zypper install postgresql postgresql-server
sudo systemctl enable postgresql
sudo systemctl start postgresql

Install Monolith for archiving web content:

sudo zypper install monolith

Verify all installations:

git --version && node --version && yarn --version && monolith --version

Setting Up PostgreSQL Database

Create a new user and database for Linkwarden:

sudo -u postgres psql

In the PostgreSQL prompt:

CREATE USER linkwarden WITH PASSWORD 'your_secure_password';
CREATE DATABASE linkwarden OWNER linkwarden;
\q

Cloning the Linkwarden Repository

Clone the repository to a suitable location:

git clone https://github.com/linkwarden/linkwarden.git /opt/linkwarden
cd /opt/linkwarden

Installing Project Dependencies

Install the required Node.js packages:

yarn
npx playwright install --with-deps chromium

Configuring Environment Variables

Create and configure the environment file:

cp .env.sample .env
nano .env

Set the following variables:

NEXTAUTH_SECRET=your_random_secure_string
NEXTAUTH_URL=http://localhost:3000/api/v1/auth
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://linkwarden:your_secure_password@localhost:5432/linkwarden

Replace your_random_secure_string with a secure random string, and ensure the DATABASE_URL matches the PostgreSQL user and password you created earlier.

Building and Migrating the Database

Build the application and set up the database schema:

yarn build
yarn prisma migrate deploy

Starting the Application

Start Linkwarden to verify that everything is working:

yarn start

If everything starts correctly, you can access Linkwarden at http://localhost:3000.

Creating a Systemd Service

To ensure Linkwarden runs automatically on system startup, create a systemd service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/linkwarden.service

Add the following content:

[Unit]
Description=Linkwarden
After=network.target postgresql.service

[Service]
Type=simple
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
User=root
Group=root
WorkingDirectory=/opt/linkwarden
ExecStart=/usr/bin/yarn start

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable linkwarden
sudo systemctl start linkwarden

Check the service status:

sudo systemctl status linkwarden

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing Linkwarden, you’ll need to configure it to suit your needs.

Creating an Administrative Account

When you first access Linkwarden, you’ll be prompted to create an account. This first account will automatically have administrative privileges.

1. Navigate to http://localhost:3000 (or your configured URL)
2. Click on “Sign Up” to create a new account
3. Enter your email, password, and username
4. Click “Create Account”

Initial Security Configuration

After creating your account, navigate to the settings page to configure security options:

1. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner
2. Select “Settings”
3. Under the “Security” tab, consider disabling open registration if you want to control who can access your Linkwarden instance
4. Set up any additional security features offered

Setting Up Collections

Collections are the primary way to organize your bookmarks in Linkwarden:

1. Click the “Collections” tab in the sidebar
2. Click “Create Collection”
3. Name your collection and choose privacy settings (private or public)
4. Click “Create”

Testing Bookmark Functionality

Add your first bookmark to test that everything is working:

1. Click the “+” button in the top navigation bar
2. Enter a URL and description
3. Choose a collection
4. Select preservation options (HTML, screenshot, PDF)
5. Click “Save”

Linkwarden should process the URL and add it to your collection with the specified preservation options.

Setting Up Secure Access

For security reasons, especially if you plan to access Linkwarden from outside your local network, setting up secure access is crucial.

Configuring a Reverse Proxy

A reverse proxy like Nginx or Apache allows you to add SSL/TLS encryption and provides additional security features.

For Nginx on openSUSE, install and configure:

sudo zypper install nginx
sudo systemctl enable nginx
sudo systemctl start nginx

Create a configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/linkwarden.conf

Add this configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your-domain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
    }
}

Test and reload Nginx:

sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

Setting Up SSL/TLS Certificates

For HTTPS encryption, install Certbot to manage SSL certificates:

sudo zypper install python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain and configure a certificate:

sudo certbot --nginx -d your-domain.com

Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Adjusting Linkwarden Configuration

Update your Linkwarden environment variables to use the new domain:

For Docker:

nano .env

Change NEXTAUTH_URL to https://your-domain.com/api/v1/auth

Save the file and restart the container:

docker-compose down
docker-compose up -d

For manual installation:

nano /opt/linkwarden/.env

Update NEXTAUTH_URL and restart the service:

sudo systemctl restart linkwarden

Browser Integration

Linkwarden offers browser extensions that make saving bookmarks quick and easy.

Installing Browser Extensions

While the extensions aren’t mentioned in the search results, you can typically install them from your browser’s extension store:

1. Open your browser’s extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons)
2. Search for “Linkwarden”
3. Click “Install” or “Add to Browser”

Configuring Extensions

After installation, configure the extension to work with your self-hosted instance:

1. Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar
2. Navigate to settings
3. Enter your Linkwarden URL (e.g., https://your-domain.com)
4. Log in with your Linkwarden credentials
5. Test the extension by saving a bookmark

Maintenance and Updates

Regular maintenance ensures your Linkwarden installation remains secure and performs optimally.

Updating Docker Containers

To update Linkwarden in a Docker installation:

cd /path/to/linkwarden
docker-compose pull
docker-compose down
docker-compose up -d

This pulls the latest images, stops the current containers, and starts new ones with the updated images.

Updating Manual Installations

For manually installed instances:

cd /opt/linkwarden
git pull
yarn
yarn build
sudo systemctl restart linkwarden

Backup Procedures

Regular backups are essential to prevent data loss:

1. Database Backup: For PostgreSQL:

   pg_dump -U linkwarden -W -F t linkwarden > linkwarden_db_backup.tar

2. Configuration Backup: Save your .env file and any custom configurations
3. Data Backup: If using Docker, back up the volumes:

   docker run --rm -v linkwarden_db_data:/dbdata -v $(pwd):/backup alpine tar -czvf /backup/db_data_backup.tar.gz /dbdata

Schedule these backups regularly using cron jobs.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, issues can arise. Here are solutions to common problems:

Database Connection Problems

If Linkwarden can’t connect to the database:

1. Verify PostgreSQL is running:

   sudo systemctl status postgresql

2. Check database credentials in your .env file
3. Ensure the database and user exist:

   sudo -u postgres psql -c "\l" | grep linkwarden
   sudo -u postgres psql -c "\du" | grep linkwarden

Web Interface Access Issues

If you can’t access the web interface:

1. Check if the service is running:

   # For Docker
   docker-compose ps
   
   # For manual installation
   sudo systemctl status linkwarden

2. Verify the port isn’t blocked by a firewall:

   sudo zypper install nmap
   nmap localhost -p 3000

3. Check application logs:

   # For Docker
   docker-compose logs
   
   # For manual installation
   journalctl -u linkwarden

Container Startup Failures

If Docker containers fail to start:

1. Check for port conflicts:

   ss -tulpn | grep 3000
   ss -tulpn | grep 5432

2. Verify environment variables:

   docker-compose config

3. Check disk space:

   df -h

Advanced Configuration

Once your basic installation is working, consider these advanced configurations:

Custom Storage Locations

To store bookmark data in a custom location:

For Docker:

nano docker-compose.yml

Add or modify volume mappings:

volumes:
  - /custom/path/data:/data/data

For manual installation, modify the .env file:

DATA_DIRECTORY=/custom/path/data

User Management

As an administrator, you can manage users through the web interface:

1. Navigate to Settings > Users
2. Add new users or modify existing ones
3. Set permissions and roles

Collection Sharing Options

Linkwarden allows flexible sharing of collections:

1. Navigate to a collection
2. Click “Share”
3. Choose sharing options:
   • Private (only you)
   • Team members only
   • Public (anyone with the link)

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Linkwarden. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Linkwarden on the openSUSE Linux. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Linkwarden website.