Skip to main content

Getting Started with Beaker

Welcome! Beaker is a peer-to-peer browser for Web hackers. It includes a bunch of tools:

In this guide, we're going to familiarize you with Beaker's ideas and tools.

What is this peer-to-peer thing?

Beaker uses a peer-to-peer protocol called Hypercore, or Hyper for short. "Hyperdrives" are like websites. They store webpages, pictures, media, user data, and so on. Hyperdrives power a lot of Beaker's best features.

note

"Hyperdrives" are folders you host from your computer. They contain web pages which you can browse and edit. You can create and share hyperdrives using Beaker. Learn more.

Peer-to-peer means that you host data directly from your device.

One fun attribute of peer-to-peer is "co-hosting." This is where you help keep a hyperdrive online by storing the data and contributing bandwidth to other users. It happens temporarily when you visit a hyperdrive, but you can turn it on permanently for sites you like.

note

You can "host" other people's hyperdrives to help keep them online and contribute bandwidth. Learn more.