Super Productivity v18.16.0 Released: Why r/selfhosted is Buzzing About This Update

The Community Spark: Why r/selfhosted is Buzzing #

Recently, a post on r/selfhosted highlighting the release of Super Productivity v18.16.0 gained significant traction. The open-source, privacy-focused To-Do and time-tracking app has long been a favorite for users wanting to escape the prying eyes of proprietary SaaS tools. However, previous versions faced intermittent sync conflicts when self-hosted via Nextcloud or WebDAV.

The community thread wasn’t just a release announcement; it was a behind-the-scenes troubleshooting session. Users shared their lived experiences with database bloat, mobile battery drain, and reverse proxy configurations. This post synthesizes those real-world deployments into a definitive update guide.

Synthesized Community Perspectives #

Digging through the r/selfhosted thread, a strong consensus emerged around three core changes in v18.16.0:

1. Nextcloud Sync Stability: Users with multi-device setups (Desktop + Android) reported that v18.16.0 finally resolves the “UUID mismatch” sync conflicts that plagued earlier v18 releases.
2. Markdown Export Fidelity: A reintroduced feature allows flawless exporting of project notes to Markdown, which users praised for integration into Obsidian and Logseq vaults.
3. The Docker Image Size Debate: While the core app is leaner, some community members debated the new bundled Docker image. “Why is the image pulling Node 20 when it runs perfectly fine on a minimal Alpine base?” one user noted. The consensus? Use the official Alpine-tagged image for VPS deployments to save resources.

Deep-Dive Actionable Guide: Deploying v18.16.0 on a VPS #

If you are upgrading or deploying Super Productivity for the first time, following the community-tested Docker Compose method ensures stability and easy reverse proxying.

Step 1: Update your Docker Compose Configuration #

Create a docker-compose.yml file. We recommend the Alpine variant to keep your VPS footprint minimal, as validated by power users in the community.

version: '3.8'
services:
  super-productivity:
    image: johannesjo/super-productivity:latest-alpine
    container_name: super_productivity
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8080:80" # Maps internal web server to host port 8080
    volumes:
      - ./sp-data:/app/data
    environment:
      - TZ=America/New_York

Step 2: Deploy and Reverse Proxy #

To securely expose the app without exposing port 8080 directly, use Nginx as a reverse proxy. Launch the container, then set up your Nginx block:

docker compose up -d

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name productivity.yourdomain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8080;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Run sudo certbot --nginx -d productivity.yourdomain.com to secure it with Let’s Encrypt.

Pros & Cons of the v18.16.0 Update #

The Verdict: Expert Advice #

Based on the r/selfhosted discussions and technical analysis of the release, v18.16.0 is a must-upgrade.

If you are a single-device user, the markdown export feature alone makes the upgrade worthwhile for backups. If you are a multi-device, self-hosted user relying on Nextcloud, this update is critical for data integrity. The dev team has clearly listened to the bug reports from the community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) #

Is Super Productivity v18.16.0 free to use for commercial teams? Yes. Super Productivity is licensed under the MIT License, making it entirely free and open-source for both personal and commercial self-hosted deployments.

Can I sync Super Productivity without Nextcloud? Yes. The app supports generic WebDAV sync. You can point the sync settings to any WebDAV-compatible server, including Synology Drive or a simple Apache WebDAV directory.

Does the Android app support the new v18.16.0 sync fixes? Yes, the F-Droid and Google Play versions have been updated simultaneously to support the new sync protocol, resolving mobile-specific battery drain caused by infinite sync loops.

How do I backup my Super Productivity data before upgrading? Navigate to Settings > Data > Export. Choose the JSON or new Markdown format to save a local backup to your machine before pulling the new Docker image.