not-th.re

Self-Hosted

Encrypted, self-hosted pastebin with expiration support

Overview

not-th.re is a lightweight, privacy-first pastebin tool designed for secure text snippet sharing. It offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) so only senders and recipients can access content, plus automatic expiration for pastes (1h, 1d, permanent). Deployment is simple via Docker (single command) or Node.js, with no database dependencies—using flat files or in-memory storage. Its minimal UI prioritizes speed, and it supports markdown formatting and custom URLs. Ideal for users avoiding public pastebins and wanting full control over their data.

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:
  not_th_re:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: not-th-re
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

End-to-end encryption for private pastes
Automatic expiration of snippets
No database required (flat-file/in-memory storage)
Markdown support and custom paste URLs

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is not-th.re hard to install?

No—installation is straightforward. You can use Docker with a single command (as documented in the repo) or set it up manually using Node.js. Both methods have clear instructions, making it accessible for users with basic server experience.

? Is it a good alternative to Pastebin.com?

Yes—if privacy and control are your priorities. Unlike Pastebin.com, not-th.re offers end-to-end encryption and self-hosting, so your data never leaves your server. It lacks Pastebin’s social features but excels at secure, temporary text sharing.

? Is it completely free?

Yes— not-th.re is open source under the MIT License, so it’s fully free to use and self-host. There are no paid tiers or hidden fees; you only pay for your own hosting (if using a VPS or server).

Top Alternatives

Pastebin.com Search Google

GitHub Gist Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Pastebins

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (E2EE ensures data security)
⊕ Lightweight (minimal resource usage for small servers)
⊕ Easy Docker deployment (one-line setup)
⊕ Open-source with no hidden costs

Cons

⊖ Limited advanced features (no user accounts or social sharing)
⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for self-hosting
⊖ No official hosted version (must self-host)
⊖ Smaller community compared to larger pastebins