Backblaze Docs to Podcast
Backblaze Docs to Podcast is an open-source sample application that converts PDF, text, and Markdown documents into conversational episodes with two hosts.
What Backblaze Docs to Podcast is
Backblaze Docs to Podcast is an open-source sample application that converts PDF, text, and Markdown documents into conversational episodes with two hosts. OpenAI creates a Host A and Host B dialogue, then turns each speaker’s lines into one MP3. The Shows library supports inline listening, transcript reading, and artifact downloads. A dashboard displays shows, episodes, listening minutes, storage, and generation activity. Backblaze B2 is the sole data store, accessed through its S3-compatible API, with manifests, source files, transcripts, and audio organized by show and episode. Unsupported source types are rejected. Episode generation needs an OpenAI API key and at least one attached source document. The project runs locally with pnpm dev and lists Node.js, pnpm, and Python prerequisites; self-hosting also requires B2 and OpenAI accounts. Setup includes a B2 key with Read and Write permission. The repository uses the MIT License and is described as unofficial and unsupported.
Good
- Accepts PDF, text, and Markdown sources
- Two-host dialogue and MP3 output
- Transcript and artifact downloads
- B2 stores all project data
- MIT-licensed open-source repository
Watch out
- Requires an OpenAI API key
- Requires a B2 account and credentials
- Unsupported source formats are rejected
- Project is unofficial and unsupported
Who it suits
It suits developers exploring a self-hosted example for turning documents into narrated audio. Teams comfortable configuring Backblaze B2, OpenAI, Node.js, pnpm, and Python can run it locally.
Verdict
Backblaze Docs to Podcast demonstrates a document-to-audio workflow centered on B2 storage and OpenAI generation. It is most appropriate for developers evaluating or adapting a sample rather than seeking a supported hosted product.
The facts
Each one read from Backblaze Docs to Podcast's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio generation
- It uses OpenAI text-to-speech with one voice per host and assembles the audio into an MP3.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Dashboard
- The dashboard displays shows, episodes, listening minutes, storage, and generation activity.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The documented quick start runs the frontend at localhost:3000 and the API at localhost:8000.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Episode library
- The Shows library lets users listen inline, read transcripts, and download episode artifacts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The app uses Backblaze B2 through its S3-compatible API and OpenAI for script generation and text-to-speech.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The organization describes its sample projects as starter kits, reference apps, and Labs experiments for building with Backblaze B2.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Library
- The Shows library lets users browse episodes, listen inline, read transcripts, and download artifacts.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository is released under the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its conditions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- Episode generation requires an OpenAI API key and at least one source document attached to the show.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Other integrations
- The project uses OpenAI for script generation and TTS and requires a Backblaze B2 account and an OpenAI API key.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Docs to Podcast turns PDFs, articles, and notes into a conversational, two-host audio overview.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Script and audio
- OpenAI generates a two-speaker dialogue and synthesizes each host’s lines into a single MP3.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Script generation
- It uses OpenAI to turn source documents into a Host A and Host B dialogue script.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The sample instructions say to create a Backblaze application key with Read and Write permission and note that its secret is shown once.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security setup
- The setup guide instructs users to create a B2 application key with Read and Write permission and configure their credentials locally in an environment file.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting requirements
- The README lists Node.js 20.9+ or 22+, pnpm 11+, Python 3.11+, a B2 account, and an OpenAI API key as prerequisites.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Source formats
- Show sources can be PDF, text, or Markdown files; unsupported types are rejected.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Storage design
- B2 is the sole data store, with show and episode manifests, source files, transcripts, and audio saved under per-show and per-episode paths.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Storage integration
- Backblaze B2 is the app’s sole data store, accessed through its S3-compatible API.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The sample-project organization describes its projects as unofficial and unsupported and directs B2 account, billing, or production-support requests to Backblaze Support.checked 8 Oct 2026
