Quick Start

Get an offline library running on a Mac in a few minutes.

This is the fastest path: a Mac with the Xcode Command Line Tools (for git and Python 3) and Homebrew. For Android, see Android Installation.

1. Get the code

git clone https://github.com/eslam-mahmoud/reinvent-the-wheel.git
cd reinvent-the-wheel

2. Set up

./rtw setup

This installs nginx (via Homebrew) and the Kiwix server, downloads the map viewer’s assets, writes the configuration and asks you to choose an admin password — used to upload and manage content from a browser.

3. Start

./rtw start

Open http://127.0.0.1:8080 in a browser. The command also prints an address like http://192.168.0.3:8080 that other devices on the same Wi-Fi can open.

4. Add content

While you’re online:

./rtw fetch             # pick knowledge packs — only what you choose is installed
./rtw fetch wikipedia   # Arabic Wikipedia, text only — about 8.4 GB
./rtw fetch maps        # Saudi Arabia + Egypt vector map — about 1.1 GB
./rtw fetch osmand      # OsmAnd navigation app and maps for phones
./rtw fetch bitchat     # Bitchat — offline Bluetooth mesh chat app

Or upload your own files at /admin/. After a new Wikipedia file arrives, run ./rtw restart.

The built-in fetch commands currently target Arabic Wikipedia and a Saudi Arabia + Egypt map — the first deployment’s needs. Any language or region works; see Using Kiwix and ZIM Files and Preparing Your Library.

Everyday commands

./rtw status     # what's running, how much content
./rtw stop
./rtw passwd     # set or reset the admin password