Spoolman was created by Donkie (GitHub: @Donkie) as a self-hosted solution for managing 3D printer filament spools. The project emerged from the growing need in the 3D printing community to track filament inventory, usage, and remaining quantities across multiple printers and users.
- Initial Development: Started as a personal project to solve filament tracking challenges
- Community Growth: Gained traction in the 3D printing community, especially among Klipper and OctoPrint users
- Feature Expansion: Added support for multiple database backends, API integrations, and real-time updates
- Current Status: Actively maintained with regular releases and a strong community of contributors
The project has evolved significantly since its inception:
- Early Versions: Simple SQLite-based tracking system
- API Development: Introduction of REST API for integration with 3D printing software
- Database Support: Expanded to support PostgreSQL, MySQL, and CockroachDB alongside SQLite
- WebSocket Integration: Added real-time updates during printing operations
- Community Database: Implementation of shared manufacturer and filament database
Spoolman’s development has been heavily influenced by its integration with popular 3D printing ecosystems:
- Moonraker/Klipper: Deep integration allowing automatic spool tracking during prints
- OctoPrint: Plugin support for seamless filament usage monitoring
- Home Assistant: Smart home integration for advanced automation
- OctoEverywhere: Cloud-based monitoring and tracking capabilities
The project has fostered a vibrant community of 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals who contribute to:
- Translation efforts (now available in 18+ languages)
- Feature development and bug fixes
- Integration with other tools and platforms
- Shared filament database contributions
Today, Spoolman stands as a mature solution with over 2,200 GitHub stars and 100+ contributors. The latest version (v0.23.1 as of February 2026) offers robust features for both individual makers and professional 3D printing operations.