Frequently Asked Questions

What is Listopia?

Listopia is an open-source, AI-powered collaborative list management platform built with Ruby on Rails. It enables teams and individuals to build momentum together through real-time collaboration, AI-driven insights, MCP support, and passwordless authentication. Whether you're crushing deadlines with your squad or planning that epic group trip to Bali, Listopia helps you collaborate on what matters and level up together.

What are Listopia's key features?

Listopia provides comprehensive collaboration tools including:

• Real-time collaboration for simultaneous list and goal editing
• AI-powered insights for task prioritization and workflow optimization
• Passwordless authentication for secure, hassle-free access
• MCP support for advanced AI assistant integration
• Responsive design for desktops, tablets, and smartphones
• Open-source platform with community-driven development

Learn more on our comprehensive Features page.

How much does Listopia cost?

Listopia is completely free as an open-source application. You can clone, modify, and deploy it without any licensing fees. The only costs are optional infrastructure expenses if you choose to self-host on cloud platforms like AWS, DigitalOcean, or Heroku. Many users run Listopia locally or on free tiers of hosting services.

How secure is Listopia?

Listopia implements enterprise-grade security measures including passwordless authentication, end-to-end data encryption, role-based access controls, and regular security updates through community contributions. As an open-source platform, security vulnerabilities are quickly identified and patched by the developer community. You maintain full control over your data since you can self-host the application.

Does Listopia work on mobile devices?

Yes, Listopia is fully optimized for mobile devices. The responsive design ensures complete functionality on smartphones and tablets, with touch-optimized interfaces and offline synchronization capabilities. Your crew can collaborate seamlessly whether they're using desktops at work or mobile devices on the go.

How do I get started with Listopia?

Getting started with Listopia takes just a few steps:

1. Clone the repository from GitHub
2. Install dependencies (Ruby, Rails, PostgreSQL, Node.js)
3. Set up the database configuration
4. Run the Rails server and start collaborating

Detailed setup instructions are available in the project README.

How does Listopia's AI functionality work?

Listopia's AI provides intelligent task prioritization, workflow optimization, and predictive insights. The AI analyzes your team's patterns, deadlines, and project dependencies to suggest optimal task ordering and resource allocation. It also supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) integration, allowing seamless connection with AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and others for enhanced automation and intelligent task management.

Where can I get help and support?

Listopia has an active community providing multiple support channels:

• GitHub Discussions for community questions and feature requests
• GitHub Issues for bug reports and technical problems
• Contributing Guide for developers wanting to contribute
• Code of Conduct for community guidelines

What technologies power Listopia?

Listopia is built with modern, proven technologies:

• Backend: Ruby on Rails framework for robust server-side architecture
• Database: PostgreSQL for reliable data management and scalability
• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript with responsive design principles
• AI Integration: MCP support and custom AI algorithms for intelligent features
• Authentication: Modern passwordless authentication systems

Full technical details are available in the project documentation.

How can I contribute to Listopia?

Listopia welcomes contributions from developers of all skill levels. You can contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting features, improving documentation, or submitting code changes. The project follows standard open-source contribution practices with clear guidelines for pull requests, code review processes, and community collaboration.

Start by reading the Contributing Guide and exploring existing GitHub Issues.

How does Listopia compare to Trello, Asana, or Notion?

Listopia offers unique advantages over proprietary alternatives:

• Open-source: Full code access and customization freedom
• AI-powered: Intelligent task prioritization and workflow optimization
• Community-driven: Features developed by and for real users
• Data ownership: Complete control over your information
• Cost-effective: No subscription fees or user limits
• MCP integration: Native AI assistant connectivity

Unlike closed platforms, Listopia grows with your needs and never locks you into proprietary ecosystems.

What are the system requirements for Listopia?

Listopia requires the following for deployment:

• Server: Ruby 3.0+, Rails 7.0+, PostgreSQL 12+
• Client: Any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Hardware: Minimum 1GB RAM, 2GB storage for small teams
• Network: Internet connection for real-time collaboration features

Detailed setup requirements are documented in the installation guide.

What can I use Listopia for?

Listopia excels in both professional and personal scenarios:

• Professional: Sprint planning, project management, team coordination
• Personal: Goal tracking, vacation planning, family organization
• Collaborative: Group events, shared responsibilities, community projects
• Educational: Course planning, study groups, research coordination

Explore detailed scenarios on our Use Cases page.

How is my data protected and who owns it?

You maintain complete ownership and control of your data with Listopia. Since it's self-hosted, your information never leaves your infrastructure. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with optional end-to-end encryption for sensitive projects. Unlike cloud-based services, there are no third-party data sharing agreements or privacy policy changes that can affect your information security.

Can Listopia scale for large teams or enterprises?

Yes, Listopia is designed to scale from individual use to enterprise deployment. The Ruby on Rails architecture supports horizontal scaling, load balancing, and database optimization for large user bases. Role-based access controls, advanced permission systems, and enterprise security features make it suitable for organizations of any size. Many companies successfully run Listopia for hundreds of users across multiple departments.

Does Listopia integrate with other tools and services?

Listopia offers extensive integration capabilities through its open architecture. The MCP (Model Context Protocol) support enables direct integration with AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and others. API endpoints allow custom integrations with project management tools, communication platforms, and business systems. The open-source nature means you can develop custom integrations for any specific workflow requirements.