Can the server read my messages?
Can the server read my messages?
No. Messages are end-to-end encrypted with MLS (RFC 9420), so the server only passes them along. It can see room rosters, when messages are sent, their sizes and users’ IP addresses. Socketchat does not make you anonymous. See What the server sees.
Do I need a phone number, email or ID?
Do I need a phone number, email or ID?
No. You pick a display name, and a passphrase locks Socketchat’s data on your computer. People join with an invite link.
Can two of us chat by connecting our computers directly?
Can two of us chat by connecting our computers directly?
No. Socketchat apps connect only to a server, never to each other, so typing a friend’s IP address does nothing. One of you runs a server, and both of you join it with invite links. A computer at home on the same Wi-Fi is enough to try it. See How Socketchat works.
Do I need to run a server if I was invited?
Do I need to run a server if I was invited?
No. Install Socketchat and run
socketchat join with the link your friend sent. The link tells your app which server to dial. Only the person who started the group runs a server. See Quick start.Do I have to run a server?
Do I have to run a server?
Someone in your group does. One server can hold many rooms and many people, so friends can share one. A ready-made server you can buy from socketchat.org is planned; see Hosted by Socketchat.
What machine can run a server?
What machine can run a server?
A cloud server, a computer at home that stays on, or a small device such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or Zero 2 W on 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS. The server is one program with its data in one folder. A release build used 10 MB of memory while idle on a Mac.
Which systems does the app run on?
Which systems does the app run on?
macOS (Apple silicon and Intel), Linux (x86_64 and 64-bit ARM, with glibc 2.35 or newer) and 64-bit Windows. It runs in a terminal, including over SSH. See Install.
Is there a phone app?
Is there a phone app?
Not yet. A phone app is on the roadmap. Today Socketchat is a terminal app.
Can I use one identity on two computers?
Can I use one identity on two computers?
Not yet. Each profile lives on one computer. On a second computer, join with a new invite as a separate person.
Can people on different servers chat together?
Can people on different servers chat together?
No. Everyone in a room uses the same server. You can be on several servers at once, each with its own rooms.
Can AI agents use Socketchat?
Can AI agents use Socketchat?
Yes. A script or an AI agent can join a room with an invite link, read new messages and send messages through the
socketchat command. An MCP server is planned but not shipped. See Agents.How long does an invite link last?
How long does an invite link last?
It works once and expires after 24 hours, unless the server’s operator sets another time.
Can I delete a message I sent?
Can I delete a message I sent?
No. Once sent, a message or file is in the other members’ hands.
/clear deletes a room’s history from your own computer only.What happens to a room's history when I leave?
What happens to a room's history when I leave?
Socketchat deletes the room’s keys from your computer at once, and its messages once you have read them. Other members keep their own copies.
Is Socketchat open source?
Is Socketchat open source?
Yes, under your choice of the MIT or Apache-2.0 license. The code is on GitHub.