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Agora

Agora is a Rust file-server application that publishes the contents of a local directory as HTTP listings and downloads, with optional Lightning Network payment requirements through an LND node.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Agora — OpenViST project profile in Payments & Stablecoins.
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Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use Agora when you need an operator-run HTTP download library and want the option to gate downloads with Lightning payments.

Who it is for

  • Server operators who want to publish browsable downloads from a local directory.
  • Operators who want to charge Lightning payments for selected file downloads.

Documented uses

  • Expose a directory of documents or other files as an HTTP listing.
  • Set free or paid access for files using directory-level configuration.
  • Customize a directory listing with a rendered Markdown index page.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

Agora is free software under the CC0-1.0 license. The repository documents pre-built binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows, as well as Cargo and Docker options.

  • Paid downloads require a connection to an LND node; files are served free by default.
  • A paid directory needs a base-price in its .agora.yaml configuration.
  • Access settings inherit recursively, while subdirectories can override them.
  • For public-domain use, the documentation describes HTTPS certificate requests through Let's Encrypt and ACME.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Configure a directory for free and paid downloads

Serve a local file directory and use directory-level rules to mark downloads free or paid.

Before you start

  • An Agora server and a local directory containing the files to serve.
  • An LND node connected to Agora to charge for downloads.

Steps

  1. Place a .agora.yaml file in the served directory and set paid to true or false.

  2. For a paid directory, set base-price to a price in satoshis; the documented example is 1000 sat.

  3. Add a .agora.yaml file in a subdirectory to override the inherited access setting for that section.

Expected outcome

Agora can serve a mix of free and paid files, with directory settings applying recursively and subdirectories able to override them.

Guide limitations

  • Agora must be connected to an LND instance to charge for downloads.
  • Setting paid to true without a base-price causes an error.
Documentation 1 ↗
Source-based practical guide

Build Agora from source

Compile the Agora binary from its checked-out Rust repository.

Before you start

  • The Agora repository checked out locally.
  • Rust installed, for example through rustup, with Cargo available.

Steps

  1. Open a terminal in the checked-out repository.

  2. Run the command below.

    Documented command
    cargo build --release

  3. Find the resulting binary at ./target/release/agora.

Expected outcome

A release build of the Agora binary is produced in the repository's `target/release` directory.

Guide limitations

  • The documented default Cargo build links to system libraries dynamically.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
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Sources checked
16 October 2026
Original website title
agora-org/agora · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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