hydrus network

The client functions as a desktop‑based media manager that replaces traditional folder hierarchies with tag‑driven browsing, similar to a personal booru. It can import files and associated tags from a local drive or from a variety of popular websites, and it supports a broad range of image, video, audio, and project file types. Playback is provided for audio and video via an embedded player, while other formats can be opened with the operating system’s default applications.

Users can create and share tag collections through self‑hosted servers, enabling anonymous collaboration without the software contacting external services. The program includes a downloader system that parses metadata from supported sites, and it can be configured to periodically rescan gallery searches to capture new content automatically.

The application is written in Python and distributed as executable binaries for Windows and Linux, with source code runnable on macOS as well. It is updated regularly, focuses on user privacy, and is intended for individuals who maintain large media libraries and prefer tag‑based organization over conventional folder structures.