As explained previously in other posts, Dokky manages document uploads and IPFS decentralization. But today, we are moving from "Storage" to "Publishing".


With the release of v.2.1.0, we are introducing the Dokky Publisher. It’s not just a PDF generator; it’s a native, self-hosted engine designed for authors, researchers, and pros who need to build complex documents without leaving the Suite.



Here is the technical breakdown of how the "Magic" happens now:


1. The Sandbox & Versioning Logic

Forget about overwriting files. In the Publisher area, every time you save, you create a Version.

  1. Isolated Workspace: Each user has a dedicated, secure folder for generation.
  2. Draft History: You can keep 1/10.000 different versions of a manual or a book chapter. They are private, secure, and accessible only to you.



2. The Merge Engine (The Power Feature)

This is where it gets serious. Let’s say you’ve written 5 different chapters as 5 different versions.

  1. Drag & Drop Sorting: Use our new interface to order your versions.
  2. HTML to PDF/A-3b: Dokky doesn't just "stitch" PDFs together (which breaks links). It re-renders the combined HTML source to ensure a clean, searchable, and professional output.
  3. Automatic TOC: The system detects your structure and generates a Table of Contents automatically.


3. Professional Templates

No more "ugly" standard PDFs. You can now choose in the fly between 4 native layouts:

  1. Book: High-end typography with drop-caps and serif elegance.
  2. Report: Clean, corporate blue header, focused on data.
  3. Letter: Classic stationery style for official Re: subjects.
  4. Tech: A monospace/terminal aesthetic for developers.


4. Legal & Security Compliance

Every document generated via the Publisher is ISO 19005-3 (PDF/A-3b) compliant. This means:

  1. Long-term preservation: Your file will be readable 50 years from now.
  2. Embedded Metadata: CC Licenses and Author info are baked into the file.
  3. QR-Code Verification: A unique verification_id is printed on the footer. Anyone with a smartphone can verify if the document is the original one from your Dokky instance.


The "Pro" Workflow Recap?

Create Drafts -->Version your content

Sort & Merge --> Select Template --> Generate PDF/A-3b


Optionally move to Public/Groups with IPFS & Forum Auto-post.

As always, this Feature is Modular. Admins can toggle the Publisher ON/OFF globally with a single switch.