Folders, as they are.
Use local folders or existing Windows and NAS shares. No importing, renaming, or cloud upload.
YOUR MEDIA. YOUR NETWORK.
Your folders.
Anywhere you connect.
A small personal video server for the collection you already have. Keep your folders, choose a data budget, and press play.
No vlSee account. Your server gives you access.
Watch your data.
Travel saves data by default. Choose Original for immediate access to the unchanged file in a compatible player. See estimated data use before you stream.
Bring your network.
Watch at home. For remote viewing, connect your devices with Tailscale or another VPN you manage.
Independent software, in early preview. Private server app previews are being tested for Linux, Windows, and macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon. Browser playback is available; iPhone, Apple TV, and Vision Pro apps are in development. Public server downloads are not available yet. Read the project’s current status →
START ON THE COMPUTER WITH YOUR VIDEOS
A server you own.
vlsee.org is the viewing interface. A separate vlSee Server program runs on the computer with your videos. The desktop preview must stay open while you watch; closing this website does not stop it.
No server connected in this browser. That does not mean your server is stopped.
Sign in / reconnect →
Linux, Windows, and Mac.
Separate vlSee Server app builds are being tested for Linux, Windows, and macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon. These are private previews; public app downloads and signed installers are not available yet.
If you have a preview, install FFmpeg and FFprobe separately. Open vlSee Server, choose your video folder, then select Start server and Open dashboard. Use the FFmpeg folder setting if those tools are not found.
Open desktop dashboard ↗The default address is 127.0.0.1:8095 on the computer running the app. Keep the app open: closing it stops its server and conversions. This preview does not install a background service.
Ubuntu background service.
The earlier Ubuntu 24.04 setup runs as a separate background service. Its installed launcher starts the service if needed and opens the dashboard on port 8083.
Open Ubuntu service ↗This launcher link works only on the Ubuntu computer where that setup is installed. It does not launch the new desktop preview.
Open Ubuntu service dashboard ↗Download Ubuntu server ↓The guide describes the existing terminal-based Ubuntu setup. The repository and app previews remain private; no public server package or source archive has been released.
Connect a phone, browser, or TV.
- Open the server dashboard.
In the desktop app, select Show or Copy beside Owner access code, then use it to sign in. For the earlier Ubuntu service, right-click its launcher and choose “Show owner access code.” There is no website signup.
- Add your folders and create a device code.
Open Devices. Choose viewing access, or management access for a device you trust to change libraries and grant access. For a Windows or Mac network folder, connect it in the operating system first, then choose it in vlSee.
- Enter the eight-character code or scan its QR code.
An eight-character code looks up the connection details automatically. Active lookup records last at most ten minutes and are removed when the code is claimed. Your files and video travel directly between your devices. QR and private pairing links also work without this lookup. Remember the device to stay connected.
- Connect your own VPN when away.
We recommend Tailscale on the server and viewing devices. Other VPNs work when they make your server reachable. Each household uses its own account and network; vlSee does not operate or join it.
Server stopped, or owner code missing?
For the desktop preview, open vlSee Server and select Start server. Use Show or Copy beside Owner access code. Keep the app open while serving videos; a website cannot start it by itself.
For the earlier Ubuntu background service, use its installed launcher or run these commands on that Ubuntu computer:
systemctl --user start vlsee-web-preview.service
systemctl --user status vlsee-web-preview.serviceThe Ubuntu service’s owner code is available from its launcher → Show owner access code, or the installation’s next/.state/web-preview/access-code file. Keep owner codes private; use one-time connection codes on other devices.
Local network, HTTPS, and remote access
The desktop preview listens only on the server computer, on port 8095 by default. To connect other devices, configure your own private HTTPS route, such as Tailscale Serve to that port, and enter its HTTPS address in the app before starting. Entering an address does not configure the route. The earlier Ubuntu service uses port 8083; its setup guide covers that installation.
The hosted website needs a reachable HTTPS server. For a local HTTP setup, open the server’s own page instead. HTTPS browser restrictions can prevent a public website from reaching a local address. No public ports, VPN accounts, or relay connections are created automatically.
VPN providers and internet/mobile providers have their own terms and data limits. vlSee does not relay your video or charge for its transfer.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Useful software.
Your control.
vlSee is an independent project built for public benefit: a simple way to enjoy the video folders you already own, using computers and networks you control.
Small by choice.
Folders come first. We aim to avoid cloud catalogs, forced metadata, compulsory accounts, and a subscription just to reach your own files.
This is an early software project. We are not claiming registered nonprofit or charitable status.
Source & releases.
The repository is currently private. We intend to publish a reviewed source release under a permissive open-source license. Until that release is published, vlSee is a private preview, not an available open-source distribution.
Check downloads and setup →Where your information goes.
- Your server
- Your folder registry, original files, prepared video, saved share logins, and device permissions stay on the computer running vlSee Server.
- Your browser or app
- It connects directly to your server over your network or VPN. It receives folder names and video to display them. Remembered device credentials are stored in that browser; the local owner dashboard uses an authentication cookie.
- The vlSee project
- We do not run a video relay, central library database, or remote administrator service. The project has no built-in administrator account on your server. There is no automatic upload of your library, viewing history, or share credentials to vlSee-operated services.
- Short-code pairing
- When you create an eight-character code, the directory temporarily receives your server address and one-time pairing grant. Active lookup records expire within ten minutes and are removed when claimed. It receives no library catalog, media, share password, or remembered-device credential. Brief rate-limit counters help prevent guessing. Hosting and database logs or backups follow the providers’ retention policies. QR codes and long private links can pair without the directory.
- The website host
- Vercel delivers this website and may process ordinary request information, such as IP addresses and access logs. We have added no advertising or analytics scripts. Website delivery is separate from your server’s library and video traffic. Vercel’s privacy notice ↗
These statements describe the current design, not a promise that software can never have a bug or be compromised. The hosted interface is software delivered by this website; anyone choosing to trust it should understand that it runs in their browser. A server-hosted interface is also available.
Your content and your permissions.
You choose the folders, networks, and devices that have access. You are responsible for having the rights and permissions needed to access or share your content, and for securing your computer and network.
vlSee is software, not a content host or distribution service. The project does not inspect, approve, curate, or moderate your library. We cannot remove files from your computer or centrally revoke your local device grants through a project-operated service. Your server’s authorized management devices can change its libraries and revoke access.
Keep owner codes, pairing links, and playback links private. Anyone with a valid playback link can view its video until the link expires or the server revokes it.
Preview software & responsibility.
The software is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties to the extent permitted by applicable law. You use it at your own risk and remain responsible for backups, lawful use, and your network’s security. The project’s maintainers disclaim liability for loss or damage arising from its use to the extent the law permits.
This notice does not remove rights or liabilities that cannot legally be excluded, and it is not a promise of universal immunity. Third-party software, hosting, and VPN services have their own licenses and terms.
Project and privacy information updated September 18, 2026. Public source licensing is pending release.
← Server setup & help
SERVER OWNER
Manage your server.
This server is running. Enter its owner code to manage libraries and connected devices.
In the vlSee Server desktop app, select Show or Copy beside Owner access code. For the earlier Ubuntu service, right-click its launcher → Show owner access code. Use one-time connection codes on the pairing page.
THE COLLECTION
Your folders.
Your front row.
Pick a video. Choose your quality. Watch right here.
01Browse your folders
02Choose a data budget
03Watch here or open in VLC
Original files stay untouchedFolders, just as you left them.
ON THE AIR
Your streams.
Playback links and video currently being prepared.
Playback links have limited lifetimes. Removing a stream only clears its temporary video.
YOUR SERVER
Ready when you are.
Manage the folders you share and the devices that can watch them.
FOLDERS YOU ALREADY HAVE
Your libraries.
Choose a folder on this server or a shared folder on another computer. Keep your names and folder structure.
Available connections
Connected SMB shares and computers known through Tailscale. A computer appearing here does not mean it shares any folders.
Removing a library only removes it from vlSee. Original files and existing network connections stay in place.
YOUR PRIVATE CONNECTIONS
Your devices.
Connect a phone, tablet, or browser to watch your libraries. Enter one eight-character code, scan a QR code, or open a private link. No account needed.
Viewing devices can browse and play your libraries.
Short codes briefly use the vlSee pairing directory. It holds connection details for up to ten minutes, never your files or video. Uncheck to use QR codes and private links without a directory.
Viewing devices can watch all libraries. Management devices can also change libraries and grant access. Revoking access also stops that device’s streams and playback links. Remembered devices renew for up to thirty days after use, with pairing required again after one year. Temporary sessions last eight hours. Existing pairings keep their original expiry.