doc update

Frooodle · Frooodle · commit 61f4dd81dd41 · 2026-01-02T22:46:30.000Z
diff --git a/docs/Configuration/System and Security.md b/docs/Configuration/System and Security.md
@@ -10,17 +10,18 @@ Stirling PDF allows customization of system and security settings. For security
 
 ## Basic Security Settings
 
-- `enableLogin`: Enables or disables the login functionality
+- `enableLogin`: Enables or disables the login functionality (default: `true`)
 - `csrfDisabled`: Set to 'true' to disable CSRF protection (not recommended for production)
 - `defaultLocale`: Set the default language (e.g. 'de-DE', 'fr-FR', etc)
 - `googlevisibility`: 'true' to allow Google visibility (via robots.txt), 'false' to disallow
 
 ## Authentication Setup
 
+**Note:** Authentication is **enabled by default**. If you want to run Stirling-PDF without authentication, see the [Disabling Login](#disabling-login) section below.
+
 ### Prerequisites
 1. Ensure the `/configs` directory is mounted as a volume in Docker for persistence across updates
 2. For Docker users: Set `DISABLE_ADDITIONAL_FEATURES=false` in environment variables
-3. Enable login either via `settings.yml` or set `SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=true`
 
 ### Initial Login Credentials
 - Default Username: `admin`
@@ -56,6 +57,57 @@ When using the API:
   X-API-KEY: your-api-key-here
   ```
 
+## Disabling Login
+
+If you want to run Stirling-PDF without authentication (open access mode), you can disable the login functionality.
+
+### Using Settings File
+
+Edit your `settings.yml` file:
+
+```yaml
+security:
+  enableLogin: false
+```
+
+### Using Environment Variables
+
+Set the environment variable when starting Stirling-PDF:
+
+**Docker Run:**
+```bash
+-e SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false
+```
+
+**Docker Compose:**
+```yaml
+environment:
+  SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN: false
+```
+
+**JAR File (Command Line):**
+```bash
+java -jar Stirling-PDF.jar -DSECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false
+```
+
+**JAR File (Environment Variable):**
+```bash
+export SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false
+java -jar Stirling-PDF.jar
+```
+
+### When to Disable Login
+
+**Consider disabling login if:**
+- Running Stirling-PDF locally for personal use only
+- Using it in a completely trusted network environment
+- You don't need user management or access control
+
+**Keep login enabled if:**
+- Running on a server accessible from the internet
+- Multiple users need access with different permissions
+- You need audit trails or usage tracking
+- Running in a shared or business environment
 
 ---
 
@@ -377,7 +429,7 @@ customFiles/
   <TabItem value="settings" label="Settings File">
     ```yaml
     security:
-      enableLogin: false # set to 'true' to enable login
+      enableLogin: true  # Login enabled by default; set to 'false' to disable
       csrfDisabled: true
       jwt:
         persistence: true
diff --git a/docs/FAQ.md b/docs/FAQ.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 sidebar_position: 8
 title: FAQ
 ---
+import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
+import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
+
 # Frequently Asked Questions
 
 ### Q1: Why are .htm files being downloaded when I use the application?
@@ -44,3 +47,61 @@ No, we track no data without your explicit consent. You can see how, when, and w
 
 Uploads go to the server or desktop instance you're using, not to Stirling servers. The macOS/Windows desktop apps process files locally—even when you pick the Stirling Cloud sign-in today—so your PDFs stay on your device unless you point the app to a remote self-hosted server. Planned SaaS-assisted features (for desktop app) will be opt-in when they arrive.
 
+### Q10: What is the difference between Stirling-PDF.jar and Stirling-PDF-server.jar?
+
+Stirling-PDF comes in two different JAR files depending on your deployment needs:
+
+**Stirling-PDF.jar** (Full Package):
+- Bundles the frontend user interface inside the JAR along with the backend server
+- Complete standalone application
+- Access via web browser at `http://localhost:8080`
+- Best for most users and standard deployments
+
+**Stirling-PDF-server.jar** (Backend Only):
+- Contains only the backend server
+- No bundled frontend UI
+- Designed for API access, desktop app integration, or external UI hosted elsewhere
+- Best for split deployments, microservices, or custom frontends
+
+Both JAR files include the same backend functionality. The main difference is whether the frontend is bundled with the backend or needs to be hosted separately.
+
+### Q11: How do I disable login/authentication?
+
+Authentication is enabled by default in Stirling-PDF. To disable it:
+
+<Tabs groupId="config-methods">
+  <TabItem value="settings" label="Settings File">
+    ```yaml
+    security:
+      enableLogin: false
+    ```
+  </TabItem>
+  <TabItem value="docker-run" label="Docker Run">
+    ```bash
+    docker run -d \
+      -p 8080:8080 \
+      -e SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false \
+      stirlingtools/stirling-pdf:latest
+    ```
+  </TabItem>
+  <TabItem value="docker-compose" label="Docker Compose">
+    ```yaml
+    environment:
+      SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN: false
+    ```
+  </TabItem>
+  <TabItem value="jar-property" label="JAR (Java Property)">
+    ```bash
+    java -jar Stirling-PDF.jar -DSECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false
+    ```
+  </TabItem>
+  <TabItem value="jar-env" label="JAR (Environment Variable)">
+    ```bash
+    export SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false
+    java -jar Stirling-PDF.jar
+    ```
+  </TabItem>
+</Tabs>
+
+For more details, see the [System and Security Configuration](./Configuration/System%20and%20Security.md#disabling-login) documentation.
+
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Mac.md b/docs/Installation/Mac.md
@@ -101,9 +101,27 @@ brew install openjdk@21
 export PATH="/usr/local/opt/openjdk@21/bin:$PATH"
 ```
 
+### JAR Downloads
+
+Stirling-PDF comes in two different JAR files:
+
+**Stirling-PDF.jar** (Full Package - Recommended):
+- Download: [Stirling-PDF.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar)
+- Bundles frontend UI + backend server in one file
+- Complete standalone web application
+- Best for most server deployments
+
+**Stirling-PDF-server.jar** (Backend Only):
+- Download: [Stirling-PDF-server.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF-server.jar)
+- Backend server only (no bundled UI)
+- For API access, desktop app, or external UI
+- Best for split deployments or custom frontends
+
+**Note:** Login/authentication is enabled by default. You can disable it by setting `SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false` as an environment variable. See [FAQ Q11](../FAQ.md#q11-how-do-i-disable-loginauthentication) for details.
+
 ### Running the Server
 
-1. **Download the JAR file**: [Stirling-PDF.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar)
+1. **Download your preferred JAR file** (see above)
 
 2. **Open Terminal** and navigate to the download folder:
    ```bash
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Unix.md b/docs/Installation/Unix.md
@@ -134,9 +134,23 @@ Install the following software:
 
 ### Step 4: Grab latest Stirling-PDF Jar
 
-The JAR can be downloaded in two versions, [normal](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar) and [security](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF-with-login.jar)
+Stirling-PDF comes in two different JAR files:
 
-Example for the "normal" version 
+**Stirling-PDF.jar** (Full Package - Recommended):
+- Bundles frontend UI + backend server in one file
+- Complete standalone web application
+- Best for most server deployments
+- Download: [Stirling-PDF.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar)
+
+**Stirling-PDF-server.jar** (Backend Only):
+- Backend server only (no bundled UI)
+- For API access, desktop app, or external UI
+- Best for split deployments or custom frontends
+- Download: [Stirling-PDF-server.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF-server.jar)
+
+**Note:** Login/authentication is enabled by default. You can disable it by setting `SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false` as an environment variable. See [FAQ Q11](../FAQ.md#q11-how-do-i-disable-loginauthentication) for details.
+
+Example download and setup:
 
 ```bash
 sudo wget https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Windows.md b/docs/Installation/Windows.md
@@ -56,23 +56,33 @@ Want to host Stirling-PDF on a Windows server for multiple users? Use the server
 
 ### Server Downloads
 
-**Without Login (Open Access):**
+Stirling-PDF comes in two different JAR files:
+
+**Stirling-PDF.jar** (Full Package - Recommended):
 - Download: [Stirling-PDF.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF.jar)
-- Anyone on your network can access it
-- No user accounts needed
+- Bundles frontend UI + backend server in one file
+- Complete standalone web application
+- Access via browser at `http://localhost:8080`
+- Best for most server deployments
 
-**With Login (User Management):**
-- Download: [Stirling-PDF-with-login.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF-with-login.jar)
-- Requires user accounts to access
-- Better for shared/business environments
+**Stirling-PDF-server.jar** (Backend Only):
+- Download: [Stirling-PDF-server.jar](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/Stirling-PDF-server.jar)
+- Backend server only (no bundled UI)
+- For API access, desktop app, or external UI
+- Best for split deployments or custom frontends
 
 **Required:** [Java JDK 21](https://download.oracle.com/java/21/latest/jdk-21_windows-x64_bin.exe) - Server versions need Java installed
 
+**Note:** Login/authentication is enabled by default in both versions. You can disable it by setting `SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN=false` as an environment variable. See [FAQ Q11](../FAQ.md#q11-how-do-i-disable-loginauthentication) for details.
+
 ### Server Installation Steps
 
 1. **Install Java JDK 21** from the link above
-2. **Download** your preferred server version
-3. **Run the .exe file**
+2. **Download** your preferred JAR file
+3. **Run the JAR file:**
+   ```bash
+   java -jar Stirling-PDF.jar
+   ```
 4. **Access** via browser at `http://localhost:8080`
 5. **Share the URL** with users on your network (e.g., `http://your-server-ip:8080`)
 
