OpenChat

README

OpenChat (ChatSSH)

OpenChat is a secure, terminal-based, decentralized chat application. It combines cryptographic SSH channels, Bubble Tea text user interface (TUI) aesthetics, and go-libp2p peer-to-peer transport with NAT hole punching.

With our built-in interactive setup wizard, you no longer need any terminal commands to host or join a chat!

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Precompiled Downloads

Get the precompiled executable directly for your operating system:

• 💻 Windows: Download OpenChat-Win.exe (64-bit)
• 🍎 macOS: Download OpenChat-Mac.zip (Apple Silicon & Intel)
• 🐧 Linux: Download OpenChat-linux (64-bit)

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How to Use

No complex terminal commands or configurations are required. Getting started is simple:

1. Download: Grab the binary for your operating system from the links above.
2. Launch: Double-click the downloaded file to start the Interactive Setup Wizard.
3. Configure: The wizard will guide you through choosing your username, deciding whether to host a room or connect to one, and selecting your storage preferences.
4. Chat: Once completed, the secure, responsive chat interface will open automatically!

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Core Features

• Interactive Setup Wizard: No command-line flags required. A guided step-by-step wizard configures everything directly inside your terminal window.
• Bubble Tea UI: A premium, fully responsive terminal user interface featuring colored message feeds, visual timestamps, dynamic hashed username colors, and a powerline status bar.
• End-to-End Encryption: Secured via standard SSH protocols and cryptographic handshakes, complete with randomart/emoji fingerprint checks to prevent middleman attacks.
• P2P NAT Hole Punching: Powered by libp2p. Automatically attempts direct connections across routers/firewalls, falling back to secure encrypted relays if direct access fails.
• Storage Modes: Choose between persistent local database logging (AES-256 encrypted SQLite) or high-privacy Ghost Mode (messages kept strictly in volatile RAM and completely wiped upon exit).

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Learn More

For complete developer details and advanced configurations:

• 📐 System Design Document — Architectural layout, wireframes, and connection models.
• ⚙️ CLI Flags Reference — Index for running custom manual settings via CLI arguments.
• 🔧 Security & Debugging Audit — Historical overview of issues resolved during security hardening.