What is OpenBin?

OpenBin is an open source inventory system that turns physical storage into something searchable. Stick a QR label on a bin, snap a photo of the contents, and AI catalogs everything inside. When you need to find something later, search instead of digging through boxes.

How it works

OpenBin organizes physical storage using a hierarchy:

Location → Area → Bin → Items

• A Location is a shared workspace (e.g. "Home", "Workshop"). All data lives inside a location.
• An Area is an optional sub-zone within a location (e.g. "Garage", "Closet") for grouping bins.
• A Bin is a physical container, like a box, drawer, or shelf. Each bin gets a unique QR code.
• Items are the individual things stored inside a bin.

Typical workflow

1. Register and create or join a location
2. Create bins for your physical containers
3. Print QR labels and attach them to your bins
4. Scan a label to see what's inside

Who it's for

Households organizing garages, closets, and storage units. Small teams tracking tools or supplies across shared spaces. Anyone who wants to self-host their inventory data in a single Docker container.

Key features

• QR labels — print sheets, scan with any phone camera to jump straight to a bin's contents
• AI photo analysis — snap a photo and let AI catalog what's inside instead of typing it out
• Multi-user — invite household members or teammates so everyone has access
• Search & filter — find anything by name, tag, or custom field across all your bins
• Bulk operations — move, tag, or update bins in batch
• Import & export — CSV, JSON, and spreadsheet support
• REST API & MCP server — integrate OpenBin with other tools and AI assistants
• Self-hosted — single Docker container with SQLite, no external services required

Quick start

docker run -d -p 1453:1453 -v openbin_data:/data ghcr.io/akifbayram/openbin:latest

Open http://localhost:1453 and create your first location. If you'd rather not self-host, OpenBin Cloud handles hosting for you.

Next steps

• Install with Docker — running in under a minute
• Create your first bins — set up your inventory
• Print QR labels — label your physical containers
• Set up AI — optional photo analysis and smart features
• API Reference — build integrations