Lesma

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted pastebin with syntax highlighting

Overview

Lesma is a lightweight, privacy-focused self-hosted pastebin for sharing code snippets and plain text. It supports syntax highlighting for over 100 programming languages, markdown rendering, and customizable expiration dates for pastes. Deployment is simple—use Docker for quick setup or run as a standalone binary. With Lesma, you retain full control over your data, avoiding third-party services. It offers optional password protection for sensitive content, a minimal interface to focus on content, and fast performance ideal for developers or anyone needing a private paste solution.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  lesma:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: lesma
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Syntax highlighting for 100+ programming languages
Customizable paste expiration dates
Easy deployment via Docker or standalone binary

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Lesma hard to install?

No—Lesma offers straightforward deployment options: use a pre-built Docker image for one-click setup or download a standalone binary for direct execution. The official GitHub repo provides step-by-step instructions suitable for users with basic server experience.

? Is Lesma a good alternative to Pastebin.com?

Yes—Lesma delivers core pastebin functionality (syntax highlighting, text sharing) with the key advantage of self-hosting (data privacy). It lacks Pastebin’s public discovery or paid plans but is ideal for those prioritizing control over their content.

? Is Lesma completely free?

Yes—Lesma is open-source (MIT license) and 100% free to use, modify, and self-host. There are no subscription fees or restrictions on features.

Top Alternatives

Pastebin.com Search Google

GitHub Gist Search Google

Bitbucket Snippets Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Pastebins

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ No subscription fees or hidden costs
⊕ Lightweight and fast performance

Cons

⊖ Lacks multi-user authentication (default single-user/private use)
⊖ Limited advanced features compared to enterprise pastebins
⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for self-hosting