I searched for a simple, self-hosted journal app for my girlfriend and everything I found was either too complex, too feature-heavy, too feature-less for what I needed or required trusting a cloud service.

Piruetas, a day-per-page diary with rich text editing, drag-and-drop image uploads, auto-save, public share links, and a clean mobile UI, was built to fill this gap. Created by Patillacode and named after Spanish pirouettes (chosen by his girlfriend), the app prioritizes minimalism and privacy. It supports personal or multi-user setups via Docker Compose, with deployments requiring only a single configuration file. A live demo at piruet.app lets users test features like themed entries (light/dark modes) and image integration, though demo data resets every 30 minutes.

Technical implementation leverages Docker Compose for seamless self-hosting, with environment variables for customization (e.g., SECRET_KEY, ADMIN_USERNAME). The app’s open-source nature is emphasized through its GitHub repository, where users can audit code or contribute. Security features include optional HTTPS enforcement and cookie encryption, though the default setup assumes non-HTTPS environments.

Piruetas avoids telemetry and data monetization, aligning with its ethos of user ownership. Entries can be exported, and public share links allow temporary access without account creation. The project’s modest scope—no unnecessary features—makes it appealing for privacy-conscious users. Donations support ongoing development, but the app remains free.

This tool matters for those seeking autonomy over personal data. By combining simplicity with robust self-hosting options, Piruetas challenges cloud-centric alternatives. Its success—evidenced by community interest—proves demand for privacy-first, developer-friendly tools.