fix(self-host): unblock Memory tab when dash is opened via LAN IP

supermemory-server only auto-applies the local API key when Host is localhost/127.0.0.1/::1. The dash Memory tab never sends Authorization, so documents and stats 401 on a LAN hostname (#1538). Document the Host-based auth gap and add a small proxy that injects the banner API key so the UI works at http://<lan-ip>:6768.
2026-10-01 02:01:40 +00:00 · 2026-09-02 06:39:46 +00:00 · 2026-09-02 06:39:46 +00:00 · a503a5a373
commit a503a5a373
parent 17eab43cd4
5 changed files with 375 additions and 0 deletions
--- a/apps/docs/docs.json
+++ b/apps/docs/docs.json
@ -184,6 +184,7 @@
 											"self-hosting/overview",
 											"self-hosting/quickstart",
 											"self-hosting/configuration",
+											"self-hosting/lan-access",
 											"self-hosting/embeddings",
 											"self-hosting/providers",
 											"self-hosting/local-vs-enterprise"
--- a/apps/docs/self-hosting/configuration.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/self-hosting/configuration.mdx
@ -116,6 +116,12 @@ SUPERMEMORY_EMBEDDING_RAM_LIMIT=4gb ./supermemory-server

 Raise the limit and concurrency on machines with spare RAM for faster bulk imports; lower them on small VPSes where you want the server to stay lean and don't mind adds draining slowly.

+## Dashboard auth (localhost vs LAN)
+
+The self-hosted binary auto-applies the printed API key only when the request **Host** is `localhost`, `127.0.0.1`, or `::1`. The local dashboard Memory tab does not send `Authorization`, so opening `http://<lan-ip>:6767` loads the overview but **documents / stats return 401**.
+
+Workarounds, a LAN proxy, and why this happens: **[Access the dashboard over LAN](/self-hosting/lan-access)**.
+
 ## Telemetry

 The self-hosted binary sends no analytics — there is nothing to opt out of. The only related switch:
--- a/apps/docs/self-hosting/lan-access.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/self-hosting/lan-access.mdx
@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+---
+title: "Access the dashboard over LAN"
+sidebarTitle: "LAN access"
+description: "Why the Memory tab returns 401 off localhost, and how to open the local dash from another device on your network."
+icon: "wifi"
+---
+
+<Info>
+Tracked in [issue #1538](https://github.com/supermemoryai/supermemory/issues/1538) (supermemory-server v0.0.8).
+</Info>
+
+The self-hosted dash at `http://localhost:6767` works without pasting the API key. Opening the same UI via the machine's LAN or public IP — `http://192.168.x.x:6767` — still renders the overview, but switching to the **Memory** tab shows **401 Unauthorized** for documents and stats.
+
+## What is going on
+
+On boot the server prints:
+
+```
+the api key above is auto-applied for unauthenticated localhost requests.
+```
+
+That auto-auth checks the request **Host**, not whether you are physically on the same box. Only these hosts qualify:
+
+- `localhost`
+- `127.0.0.1`
+- `::1`
+
+A LAN hostname such as `192.168.1.20` or `10.0.0.5` does **not**.
+
+The Memory tab (`/local-console.js`) then calls:
+
+- `POST /v3/documents/documents`
+- `GET /v3/container-tags/list`
+
+with **no `Authorization` header**. On localhost those succeed; off localhost they return `{"error":"Unauthorized"}`. Sending the banner key as `Authorization: Bearer sm_…` succeeds on the same IP — which is why a request modifier that injects the header unblocks the UI.
+
+```bash
+# 200 on loopback, no header
+curl -sS -X POST http://127.0.0.1:6767/v3/documents/documents \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"page":1}'
+
+# 401 on a LAN Host, no header
+curl -sS -X POST http://192.168.1.20:6767/v3/documents/documents \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"page":1}'
+
+# 200 on LAN Host once the banner key is sent
+curl -sS -X POST http://192.168.1.20:6767/v3/documents/documents \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer sm_…" \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"page":1}'
+```
+
+SDK and curl clients that already send the key are unaffected. This is a dashboard-only gap.
+
+## Recommended: SSH tunnel (no extra attack surface)
+
+From the laptop you browse on:
+
+```bash
+ssh -L 6767:127.0.0.1:6767 user@the-linux-box
+```
+
+Open `http://localhost:6767` locally. Host stays loopback, auto-auth applies, the Memory tab works.
+
+## Option: inject the API key for LAN browsing
+
+If you need to open the dash at `http://<lan-ip>:…` in a browser, run the proxy in this repo in front of supermemory-server. It forwards traffic and adds `Authorization: Bearer <api-key>` when the Memory tab omits it.
+
+<Warning>
+Anyone who can reach the proxy can use the local API as the instance owner. Bind it to a trusted network only — do not expose it to the public internet.
+</Warning>
+
+```bash
+# supermemory-server already running on :6767
+SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR=./.supermemory \
+  node scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs --listen 0.0.0.0:6768
+```
+
+Then open `http://<this-machine-ip>:6768` (not `:6767`).
+
+| Flag | Default | Meaning |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `--target` | `http://127.0.0.1:6767` | Upstream supermemory-server |
+| `--listen` | `0.0.0.0:6768` | Address the browser should use |
+| `--data-dir` | `SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR` or `./.supermemory` | Directory with the `api-key` file |
+| `--api-key` | unset | Override instead of reading `api-key` |
+
+You can keep using a request modifier that adds the same `Authorization` header directly against `:6767`; the proxy is that behavior without a browser extension.
+
+## What a first-class server option would look like
+
+A durable fix belongs in supermemory-server: either send the key from `/local-console.js`, or treat additional Hosts as local behind an explicit allowlist (for example `SUPERMEMORY_TRUSTED_HOSTS`). Until that ships in a `server-v*` release, use a tunnel or the proxy above.
--- a/scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs
+++ b/scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs
@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+/**
+ * Reverse proxy that injects the local supermemory-server API key so the
+ * dashboard Memory tab works when you open it via a LAN / public IP.
+ *
+ * supermemory-server (v0.0.8) only auto-applies that key when the request
+ * Host is localhost / 127.0.0.1 / ::1. The dash JS never sends Authorization,
+ * so POST /v3/documents/documents returns 401 off-loopback.
+ *
+ * Usage:
+ *   SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR=./.supermemory node scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs
+ *   bun scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs --target http://127.0.0.1:6767 --listen 0.0.0.0:6768
+ *
+ * Then open http://<this-machine-ip>:6768 instead of :6767.
+ */
+
+import http from "node:http"
+import fs from "node:fs"
+import path from "node:path"
+import { pathToFileURL } from "node:url"
+
+const HOP_BY_HOP = new Set([
+	"connection",
+	"keep-alive",
+	"proxy-authenticate",
+	"proxy-authorization",
+	"te",
+	"trailers",
+	"transfer-encoding",
+	"upgrade",
+])
+
+/** Hostnames the self-hosted binary treats as local (loopback auto-auth). */
+export function isLoopbackHostname(hostname) {
+	const host = hostname.replace(/^\[|\]$/g, "").toLowerCase()
+	return host === "localhost" || host === "127.0.0.1" || host === "::1"
+}
+
+export function pickAuthorization(existingHeader, apiKey) {
+	const existing = existingHeader?.trim()
+	if (existing) return existing
+	if (!apiKey) return null
+	return `Bearer ${apiKey.trim()}`
+}
+
+export function resolveApiKeyFile(dataDir = process.env.SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR) {
+	const dir = dataDir?.trim() || path.resolve(".supermemory")
+	return path.join(dir, "api-key")
+}
+
+export function readApiKeyFile(filePath) {
+	const raw = fs.readFileSync(filePath, "utf8").trim()
+	if (!raw) throw new Error(`API key file is empty: ${filePath}`)
+	return raw
+}
+
+export function parseListen(value) {
+	const raw = value?.trim() || "0.0.0.0:6768"
+	const idx = raw.lastIndexOf(":")
+	if (idx <= 0 || idx === raw.length - 1) {
+		throw new Error(`Invalid --listen value: ${value}`)
+	}
+	const host = raw.slice(0, idx)
+	const port = Number(raw.slice(idx + 1))
+	if (!Number.isInteger(port) || port < 1 || port > 65535) {
+		throw new Error(`Invalid --listen port: ${value}`)
+	}
+	return { host, port }
+}
+
+export function parseArgs(argv) {
+	const out = {
+		target: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_PROXY_TARGET || "http://127.0.0.1:6767",
+		listen: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_PROXY_LISTEN || "0.0.0.0:6768",
+		dataDir: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR,
+		apiKey: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_API_KEY,
+	}
+	for (let i = 0; i < argv.length; i++) {
+		const arg = argv[i]
+		const next = argv[i + 1]
+		if (arg === "--target" && next) {
+			out.target = next
+			i++
+		} else if (arg === "--listen" && next) {
+			out.listen = next
+			i++
+		} else if (arg === "--data-dir" && next) {
+			out.dataDir = next
+			i++
+		} else if (arg === "--api-key" && next) {
+			out.apiKey = next
+			i++
+		} else if (arg === "--help" || arg === "-h") {
+			out.help = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+function copyRequestHeaders(incoming, apiKey) {
+	const headers = {}
+	for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(incoming.headers)) {
+		if (value == null) continue
+		if (HOP_BY_HOP.has(key.toLowerCase())) continue
+		headers[key] = value
+	}
+	const auth = pickAuthorization(
+		Array.isArray(incoming.headers.authorization)
+			? incoming.headers.authorization[0]
+			: incoming.headers.authorization,
+		apiKey,
+	)
+	if (auth) headers.authorization = auth
+	return headers
+}
+
+export function createLanDashboardProxy({ target, apiKey }) {
+	const targetUrl = new URL(target)
+	return http.createServer((req, res) => {
+		const incomingUrl = new URL(req.url || "/", `http://${req.headers.host}`)
+		const options = {
+			protocol: targetUrl.protocol,
+			hostname: targetUrl.hostname,
+			port: targetUrl.port || (targetUrl.protocol === "https:" ? 443 : 80),
+			method: req.method,
+			path: `${incomingUrl.pathname}${incomingUrl.search}`,
+			headers: copyRequestHeaders(req, apiKey),
+		}
+		const upstream = http.request(options, (up) => {
+			res.writeHead(up.statusCode ?? 502, up.headers)
+			up.pipe(res)
+		})
+		upstream.on("error", (err) => {
+			if (!res.headersSent) {
+				res.writeHead(502, { "content-type": "application/json" })
+			}
+			res.end(JSON.stringify({ error: "Bad gateway", details: err.message }))
+		})
+		req.pipe(upstream)
+	})
+}
+
+function printHelp() {
+	process.stdout.write(`Inject the local API key so the Memory tab works off localhost.
+
+Usage:
+  node scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs [--target URL] [--listen HOST:PORT] [--data-dir DIR]
+
+Options:
+  --target     supermemory-server URL (default http://127.0.0.1:6767)
+  --listen     bind address (default 0.0.0.0:6768)
+  --data-dir   directory containing api-key (default SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR or ./.supermemory)
+  --api-key    override key instead of reading api-key file
+`)
+}
+
+function isMain() {
+	try {
+		return import.meta.url === pathToFileURL(path.resolve(process.argv[1])).href
+	} catch {
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+if (isMain()) {
+	const args = parseArgs(process.argv.slice(2))
+	if (args.help) {
+		printHelp()
+		process.exit(0)
+	}
+	const apiKey =
+		args.apiKey?.trim() || readApiKeyFile(resolveApiKeyFile(args.dataDir))
+	const listen = parseListen(args.listen)
+	const server = createLanDashboardProxy({ target: args.target, apiKey })
+	server.listen(listen.port, listen.host, () => {
+		process.stdout.write(
+			`lan-dashboard-proxy listening on http://${listen.host}:${listen.port} → ${args.target}\n`,
+		)
+	})
+}
--- a/scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.test.mjs
+++ b/scripts/lan-dashboard-proxy.test.mjs
@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+import { describe, it } from "node:test"
+import assert from "node:assert/strict"
+import http from "node:http"
+import {
+	createLanDashboardProxy,
+	isLoopbackHostname,
+	parseArgs,
+	parseListen,
+	pickAuthorization,
+} from "./lan-dashboard-proxy.mjs"
+
+describe("isLoopbackHostname", () => {
+	it("matches the self-hosted binary's local-auth Hosts", () => {
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("localhost"), true)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("127.0.0.1"), true)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("::1"), true)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("[::1]"), true)
+	})
+
+	it("rejects LAN and public Hosts that currently 401", () => {
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("192.168.1.10"), false)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("172.31.13.46"), false)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("10.0.0.5"), false)
+		assert.equal(isLoopbackHostname("example.local"), false)
+	})
+})
+
+describe("pickAuthorization", () => {
+	it("keeps a caller-supplied header", () => {
+		assert.equal(pickAuthorization("Bearer already", "sm_new"), "Bearer already")
+	})
+
+	it("injects the local key when the Memory tab sends none", () => {
+		assert.equal(pickAuthorization(undefined, "sm_local"), "Bearer sm_local")
+		assert.equal(pickAuthorization("  ", "sm_local"), "Bearer sm_local")
+	})
+
+	it("does not invent a header without a key", () => {
+		assert.equal(pickAuthorization(undefined, ""), null)
+	})
+})
+
+describe("parseListen / parseArgs", () => {
+	it("parses host:port", () => {
+		assert.deepEqual(parseListen("0.0.0.0:6768"), { host: "0.0.0.0", port: 6768 })
+	})
+
+	it("reads CLI flags", () => {
+		assert.deepEqual(
+			parseArgs(["--target", "http://127.0.0.1:9", "--listen", "127.0.0.1:9"]),
+			{
+				target: "http://127.0.0.1:9",
+				listen: "127.0.0.1:9",
+				dataDir: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_DATA_DIR,
+				apiKey: process.env.SUPERMEMORY_API_KEY,
+			},
+		)
+	})
+})
+
+describe("createLanDashboardProxy", () => {
+	it("injects Authorization for unauthenticated Memory-tab requests", async () => {
+		let seenAuth
+		const upstream = http.createServer((req, res) => {
+			seenAuth = req.headers.authorization
+			res.writeHead(200, { "content-type": "application/json" })
+			res.end(JSON.stringify({ documents: [], via: req.url }))
+		})
+		await new Promise((resolve) => upstream.listen(0, "127.0.0.1", resolve))
+		const upstreamPort = upstream.address().port
+
+		const proxy = createLanDashboardProxy({
+			target: `http://127.0.0.1:${upstreamPort}`,
+			apiKey: "sm_test_key",
+		})
+		await new Promise((resolve) => proxy.listen(0, "127.0.0.1", resolve))
+		const proxyPort = proxy.address().port
+
+		const res = await fetch(
+			`http://127.0.0.1:${proxyPort}/v3/documents/documents`,
+			{
+				method: "POST",
+				headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+				body: JSON.stringify({ page: 1 }),
+			},
+		)
+		assert.equal(res.status, 200)
+		assert.equal(seenAuth, "Bearer sm_test_key")
+		assert.deepEqual(await res.json(), {
+			documents: [],
+			via: "/v3/documents/documents",
+		})
+
+		proxy.close()
+		upstream.close()
+	})
+})