Kavita is a fast, feature rich, cross platform reading server. Built with a focus for manga, and the goal of being a full solution for all your reading needs. Set up your own server and share your reading collection with your friends and family! Serve up Manga/Webtoons/Comics (cbr, cbz, zip/rar, 7zip, raw images) and Books (epub, pdf) with Kavita. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Kavita on your Synology NAS using Docker.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest Kavita v.0.8.4.2 release.

💡Note: Check out my new guide on how to Install Kavita Using Portainer.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Container Manager via Synology “Package Center”. If you run an older DSM version (under 7.2), search for Docker instead of Container Manager.

• STEP 3

Go to File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it kavita. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 4

Now create two new folders inside the kavita folder that you created at STEP 3 and them config and data. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 5

Now create one new folder inside the data folder that you created at STEP 4 and it library. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 6

Populate the library folder with your CBR, PDF, EPUB files etc.

• STEP 7

Go to Control Panel / Task Scheduler / Create / Scheduled Task / User-defined script. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 8

Once you click on User-defined script, a new window will open. Follow the instructions below:

1. General: In the Task field type in Install Kavita. Uncheck the “Enabled” option. Select root User.
2. Schedule: Select Run on the following date then select “Do not repeat“.
3. Task Settings: Check “Send run details by email“, add your email then copy paste the code below in the Run command area. After that, click OK.

docker run -d --name=kavita \
-p 5471:5000 \
-v /volume1/docker/kavita/config:/kavita/config \
-v /volume1/docker/kavita/data:/manga \
--restart always \
jvmilazz0/kavita

• STEP 9

After you click OK on STEP 8 a new warning pop up window will open. Click OK.

After you click OK, type in your DSM Password then click Submit. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 10

After you click Submit on STEP 9, select your “Install Kavita” Task then click the “Run” tab. You will be asked to run Install Kavita – click OK. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 11

🟢Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guides forget to support my work, or just ignore STEP 1. I’ve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I don’t run any ADS, I don’t require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I don’t collect IPs, emails, and I don’t have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also don’t have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. It’s something I love doing and have been honest about my passion since the beginning. But I also Need The Community to Support me Back to be able to continue doing this work.

• STEP 12

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:5471 Create your administrator account. Type in your own Username, Email and Password. Click Register. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 13

Type in your own Username and Password that you have previously added at STEP 12 then click Submit. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 14

Click on Server settings. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 15

At the top right of the page click +Add Library. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 16

Name your Library, select your library Type, then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 17

Click + Browse for Media Folders. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 18

Click on the first folder marked with the / name. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 19

Click manga. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 20

Click Share. Follow the instructions in the image below. ⚠️Warning: do not click on the library folder.

• STEP 21

Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 22

Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 23

Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 24

You will see your entire Library under your library name.

• STEP 25

Now you can start reading your favorite comics!

You have different options, including Dark theme mode and White theme mode.

Now you can start reading your favorite eBooks!

Everything will be fast and clean.

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issues article.

Note: If you want to run the Kavita container over HTTPS, check How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS. In order to make Kavita work via HTTPS, it’s mandatory to activate WebSocket.

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the Kavita container with the latest image.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Wednesday / January 8th, 2025 at 2:44 AM