asciinema

The server component provides a web‑based platform for storing, browsing, and streaming terminal session recordings in the asciicast format. It offers a RESTful HTTP API used by the accompanying CLI, and integrates a virtual terminal for generating previews, analyzing recordings, and managing live‑stream state. Built with Elixir and Phoenix, the system can be run as a public service (asciinema.org) or self‑hosted on private infrastructure.

Users can upload recordings, control visibility (private, unlisted, public), edit metadata with Markdown, and search full‑text across titles, descriptions, and session content. Recordings can be shared via secret links, embedded in external pages, or downloaded as plain‑text transcripts. The player supports configurable terminal themes and fonts, and live streaming allows real‑time broadcast of terminal activity.

The software is free, open‑source under the Apache‑2.0 license, and requires no subscription, tracking, or advertising. It is intended for developers, educators, and teams who need a lightweight, text‑based alternative to video screen capture for documenting command‑line workflows.