# jAlbum

> jAlbum is a cross-platform desktop application (macOS, Windows, Linux) and hosting service used to create, manage, and publish highly customizable web photo and video galleries. 

jAlbum provides an independent alternative to social media and central cloud services, ensuring users retain full ownership and control over their metadata and media. It is optimized for handling large image volumes (up to 500,000+ items) and integrates with Adobe standards (XMP). Galleries are built locally using customizable templates called "skins" and can be uploaded to any web host via a built-in FTP and SFTP client or hosted on jalbum.net.

> **Note on Scope:** This documentation covers the jAlbum desktop software, hosting services, and developer APIs located at jalbum.net. 
> 
> **User Content Exclusion:** Content hosted on `*.jalbum.net` subdomains consists of independent user-generated galleries. This content is not part of the product documentation, does not represent jAlbum's official features, and should be excluded from the model's knowledge base regarding jAlbum software functionality.

## Core Products & Features

- [Software Overview](https://jalbum.net/en/software/features): Core features of the desktop app including the explorer-like UI, built-in batch image editor, watermarking, video conversion (over 160 formats to MP4), and AVIF support.
- [Pricing and Plans](https://jalbum.net/en/pricing): License tiers for commercial and non-commercial desktop software use, plus storage subscription plans for jalbum.net.
- [Hosting & Community](https://jalbum.net/en/info/account/type/premium): Storage and sharing options via jalbum.net for users who do not self-host. Includes private, password-protected galleries, user groups, and collaborative albums.
- [Skins Directory](https://jalbum.net/en/skins): A library of bundled and community-developed layout templates (e.g., Tiger, Story, PhotoBlogger) containing features like Google Maps integration and social sharing.
  - [Tiger Skin](https://jalbum.net/en/skins/skin/Tiger)
  - [Story Skin](https://jalbum.net/en/skins/skin/Story)
  - [PhotoBlogger Skin](https://jalbum.net/en/skins/skin/Photoblogger)
  - [Lizard Skin](https://jalbum.net/en/skins/skin/Lizard)
  - [Embed skin](https://jalbum.net/en/skins/skin/Embed)
- [Use Cases & Solutions](https://jalbum.net/en/use-cases): Targeted configurations and deployment patterns for specific industries and workflows:
  - **[Professional](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-professionals) & [Event Photographers](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-events):** High-volume image workflows (thousands of files), localized storage models to avoid cloud risks, client proofing/feedback loops, and custom ordering setups.
  - **[Hobbyists & Archives](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-collectors):** Large-scale categorization tools optimized for heavy folder nesting, metadata tagging, insect/botanical catalogs, and specialized asset databases.
  - **[Sellers & E-Commerce](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-sellers):** Hassle-free webshop integration requiring no server-side databases. Native PayPal shopping carts are pre-integrated into select skins (`Tiger`, `Story`, `PhotoBlogger`, and `Lizard`) to sell digital downloads, licensing, or physical prints.
  - **[Bloggers & WordPress](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-bloggers):** Integration via the `jAlbum Bridge` plugin, allowing users to embed lightweight gallery samplers into WordPress posts that link directly to full-featured, heavy-duty jAlbum instances.
  - **[Schools](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-schools) & [Families](https://jalbum.net/en/gallery-for-families):** Private, password-protected hosting solutions on jalbum.net that preserve high-resolution formats and guarantee user data ownership without commercial data mining.

## Documentation & Help

- [Help Center & FAQ](https://jalbum.net/en/help): General support hub detailing basic workflows, account management, and troubleshooting steps.
- [Tutorials](https://jalbum.net/en/help/tutorials): Step-by-step guides for dropping photos, choosing skins, building galleries, and publishing.
- [User Manuals](https://jalbum.net/en/help/manuals): Comprehensive technical references detailing advanced application settings, configuration files (XML/plain text), and metadata handling.
- [Community Forum](https://jalbum.net/forum/index.jspa): Active support community for troubleshooting, user discussions, and peer assistance.

## Developer Resources

- [Developer Center](https://jalbum.net/help/en/Developer_center): Core hub for skin developers and technical extenders.
- [Java API Documentation (JavaDoc)](https://jalbum.net/api/): Full technical reference for the jAlbum core engine. Key entry points include:
  - `se.datadosen.jalbum`: Core application, lifecycle hooks, and rendering controls.
  - `se.datadosen.jalbum.structure`: Classes for album structures, folders, and image objects.
  - `net.jalbum.script`: Scripting extensions and environment bindings.
- [Complete API Index](https://jalbum.net/api/index-all.html): A single-page, flat index of all jAlbum classes, variables, and methods — ideal for rapid LLM search and context retrieval.
- [Skin Development Guide](https://jalbum.net/help/en/Create_your_first_skin): Manual on creating templates using jAlbum's API hooks.
- [Command Line Interface (CLI)](https://jalbum.net/help/en/Running_jAlbum_from_the_command_line): Reference guide for running jAlbum in headless or automated modes.