Installation¶
cast2md can be installed in several ways depending on your needs.
Single server handles everything
A single cast2md server handles the complete workflow -- downloading, transcription, and search. Transcriber nodes are optional and only needed to speed up transcription for large backlogs.
Installation Methods¶
| Method | Best For | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Docker | Server: production, quick start | Docker, Docker Compose |
| Manual Install | Server: development, customization | Python 3.11+, PostgreSQL |
| Transcriber Node | Optional remote transcription workers | Python 3.11+, network access to server |
Quick Start (Docker)¶
The fastest way to get running:
git clone https://github.com/meltforce/cast2md.git
cd cast2md
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env -- set POSTGRES_PASSWORD at minimum
docker compose up -d
Open http://localhost:8000 to access the web UI.
System Requirements¶
Server¶
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Disk | 10 GB | 30 GB |
| CPU | 2 cores | 4 cores |
| Python | 3.11+ | 3.12+ |
Transcriber Node¶
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Python | 3.11+ | 3.12+ |
| GPU (optional) | - | NVIDIA 8GB+ VRAM or Apple Silicon |
See Server Sizing for detailed resource requirements.