Reactive Resume is a free, open-source resume builder that turns your personal and work details into polished, print-ready PDFs with real-time preview and no account required for basic use. It was created by Amruth Pillai and is distributed under the MIT license, with the main web app available at rxresu.me and the full codebase on GitHub. The application is built on TanStack Start with React 19 and Vite, uses Tailwind CSS for styling, PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM for storage, and can be self-hosted with Docker.
What is Reactive Resume?
Reactive Resume is a resume builder that takes details you enter through an online editor — such as work history, education, skills, and custom sections — and produces formatted resumes in PDF, JSON, and DOCX formats. It runs as a web application, and the open-source repository makes it possible to deploy the entire stack on your own infrastructure using Docker. The project is maintained by Amruth Pillai and supported by sponsors including Atlas Cloud.
Key Features
- Real-time preview — the resume updates in the browser as you type, and sections can be reordered with drag-and-drop.
- Multiple export formats — export clean layouts as PDF, JSON, or DOCX; since v5.1.0, PDF generation happens entirely client-side with @react-pdf/renderer, so no external print service or Chromium dependency is needed for new deployments.
- 15+ named templates — the repository lists templates such as Azurill, Bronzor, Chikorita, Ditto, Gengar, Glalie, Kakuna, Lapras, Leafish, Onyx, Pikachu, Rhyhorn, Ditgar, Meowth, and Scizor, with A4 and Letter size support.
- Style customization — colors, fonts, and spacing are customizable, and structured Style Rules give control over section and text styling.
- Privacy controls — no tracking or analytics by default, full data export at any time, and permanent deletion of your data with one click.
- AI integration — optional integration with OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude is available for users who want AI assistance.
- Portable and interoperable — resumes can be imported from the JSON Resume format and shared through unique links.
Who is it for?
- Job seekers — build a professional resume by picking a template and typing into the editor, then export a PDF ready for applications.
- Privacy-conscious users — self-host the Docker container so all resume data stays on their own server with no third-party tracking.
- Developers and open-source contributors — the MIT-licensed repository supports contributions, custom feature branches, and pull requests, with development setup documented at docs.rxresu.me.
Use cases
- Career changers: create a new resume layout in one sitting using the custom section editor and switch between A4 and Letter sizes for different applications.
- Students: fill in education, projects, and skills from a template, then share the resume through a unique link instead of emailing a file.
- Freelancers and consultants: keep multiple resumes as separate records and switch templates, colors, or Style Rules for different industries or roles.
- Self-hosters: deploy the full stack with
docker compose up -d, which starts the app at localhost:3000 along with a PostgreSQL database.
How does Reactive Resume work?
You start by picking one of the built-in templates, then fill in your personal details through the editor while watching the preview update in real time. When the resume is ready, export it as PDF, JSON, or DOCX. For self-hosting, clone the repository and run docker compose up -d; the stack includes PostgreSQL and optional SeaweedFS for S3-compatible file storage.
Pricing
Reactive Resume is free and open-source under the MIT license, with no hidden costs or account required for basic use. The project is funded through sponsorships and donations via GitHub Sponsors and Open Collective; the self-hosted version is also free to run on your own infrastructure.
FAQ
Is Reactive Resume free?
Yes, Reactive Resume is completely free and open-source under the MIT license. It has no tracking, no ads, and no hidden costs, and you can use the hosted version at rxresu.me without creating an account for basic use.
Can I self-host Reactive Resume?
Yes. You can run the latest image from Docker Hub or GitHub Container Registry, and the docker compose setup brings up the app on localhost:3000 with a PostgreSQL database. Since v5.1.0, PDF generation is client-side, so you do not need Browserless or Chromium for printing.
What file formats can I export?
Reactive Resume exports to PDF, JSON, and DOCX. The PDF export is rendered in the browser using @react-pdf/renderer, and you can also import resumes from the JSON Resume format.
Does Reactive Resume support AI?
Optional AI integration is built in for OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude. It is an add-on, not a requirement — you can build, style, and export a resume without connecting any AI provider.
How many templates does Reactive Resume include?
The repository shows more than a dozen named templates, including Pikachu, Onyx, Gengar, Lapras, and Leafish. Each supports A4 and Letter sizes and customizable colors, fonts, and spacing through Style Rules.
