Open Source LIMS

LIMS & Systems Integrations
1

Hi everyone,

I’m building OpenLIMS, an open-source Laboratory Information Management System using Django, React, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker, and GitHub Actions.

The goal is to create a developer-friendly and configurable LIMS for small labs, research groups, and biotech teams that want to move away from spreadsheets and manual sample tracking.

Current features include:

  • Sample management
  • Inventory locations and containers
  • Custom fields for different lab workflows
  • Event/audit logging
  • File attachments for samples
  • Docker-based local setup
  • React frontend
  • Basic reports and system status pages
  • CI with GitHub Actions

It is still early and not validated for regulated production use, but I’m trying to build it with production-style patterns like audit trails, role-based access control, configurable workflows, and clear documentation.

I’d appreciate thoughts from people working in lab automation, LIMS, bioinformatics, or lab software:

  • What core LIMS workflows should I prioritize next?
  • What would make this useful for a small research lab?
  • What integrations would matter most: instruments, barcode scanners, CSV import/export, ELN, or something else?

GitHub:

Thanks!

5 Likes
2

One thing I’ll add is that there have been two previous attempts at creating an open source LIMS called exactly OpenLIMS. They were abandoned.

The name could be cursed!

3 Likes
3

Haha, I didn’t realize the name had that much history — maybe it is cursed :sweat_smile:

That’s good to know though. I’ll look into the older OpenLIMS projects and make sure I understand what happened with them. I’m still early, so I’m not opposed to renaming if it avoids confusion and gives this project a cleaner identity. Appreciate the heads-up!

4

I’m just trying to look out, maybe the name is cursed lol