How self-host works
Self-host is the same M3UTool editor you know from editor.dontv.shop, running on your own computer or server. You build playlists, check streams, map the TV guide and manage customers in exactly the same screens. The difference is where it runs and who it answers to.
What runs on your machine
M3UTool self-host runs inside Docker, a program that keeps M3UTool and its database in their own sealed space on your machine. On Windows that is Docker Desktop, on Linux it is Docker Engine. A small M3UTool program starts, stops and updates it for you: on Windows it sits as the M3UTool icon next to the clock, on Linux it is the dontv command.
Everything you do in the editor happens on your machine: your playlists, customers, checks and the TV guide are stored there. Checks run over your own internet line.
No plan limits
On self-host the limits of your M3UTool plan are lifted: no cap on playlists, streams, customers, TV guide countries, checks or jobs. The limits that protect you stay:
- Your provider's connection limit: a provider line only allows so many streams at once. M3UTool keeps to the limit you set for it.
- Your own settings: how many jobs and checks run at once, and how often things refresh. You set these in Self-host settings.
Two addresses
Self-host answers on two addresses. They are the same machine, on different ports.
| Address | Port | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | 8081 | Only you. It opens the M3UTool editor and signs you in with a one-time link. |
| Customer address | 80, and 443 with your own domain | Your customers' players: Xtream login, M3U link, TV guide link and the web player. |
When a customer presses play, M3UTool sends the player straight to the stream source. No video passes through your machine, so a small computer can serve many viewers. More in Address, domain and HTTPS.
Your M3UTool password
You sign in to the editor with the same name or email and password as on editor.dontv.shop. A new password there works here within 5 minutes, and the password also works when the internet is down. If your M3UTool account asks for a 2-step code, the editor asks for it too. The M3UTool program on your machine can also sign you in with a link that works once, for 10 minutes. More in First sign-in.
What still comes from editor.dontv.shop
Your install is on its own, but it keeps a few ties to your M3UTool account:
- Activation: your M3UTool key activates the install. More below.
- Updates: new versions are downloaded from M3UTool. Self-host always runs the same editor version as editor.dontv.shop. More in Updating.
- Your account name and email: the editor signs you in as the M3UTool account your key belongs to. A new name, email or password on editor.dontv.shop follows within 5 minutes.
- Discord alerts: alerts from your install reach you through the Discord account you connected on editor.dontv.shop.
- TV guide sources: your install takes the list of country guides from M3UTool and downloads the guides itself. Some guides that M3UTool builds on its own servers are only on editor.dontv.shop.
- A refused first download: when your provider refuses to send a new playlist to your machine, M3UTool fetches it once for the first import. Refreshes after that have to come from your own machine.
Activation
Self-host needs a paid M3UTool plan of €40 a year or more. Your M3UTool key is checked when M3UTool starts and then once a day. Every good check covers the next 7 days.
- When your plan is paid, the key is accepted and nothing changes for you.
- When editor.dontv.shop cannot be reached, the plan is not paid, or the plan costs less than €40 a year, self-host keeps working until the 7 days since the last good check have passed.
- After that the editor shows Activate this install until the key is accepted again. Your customers keep watching in the meantime.
Your cloud account and your install
editor.dontv.shop and your self-host install work side by side. They do not sync. You can copy your account from editor.dontv.shop into self-host once, and after that each one keeps its own playlists and customers. More in Copy my account.