ChatTy
A lightweight, terminal-based peer-to-peer chat app for Ubuntu & macOS — real-time messaging over MQTT. Packaged installers coming soon.
- Node.js
- Express
- MongoDB
- MQTT
- Python
- JWT
ChatTy (“TerminalChat”) is a chat app that lives entirely in your terminal. You register and log in from the command line, exchange a short “chatee token”, and then talk in real time — directly with the other person.
How it works
- Peer-to-peer over MQTT. A small Node.js / Express + MongoDB backend handles accounts, JWT authentication, and chat setup — but it stays out of the message path. Once a chat is established, messages flow directly between the two clients through an MQTT broker.
- Token-based connections. To start chatting you enter the other user’s token; the backend pairs you on two directional topics and signals the other client to accept or reject.
- A Python terminal client drives the whole experience — register / login, generate or enter a token, and a live send/receive loop right in your shell.
- Cross-platform — built for Ubuntu and macOS, with Debian / systemd / launchd packaging.
Status
Early-stage and in active development. End-to-end encrypted communication and one-line packaged installers are on the way. Get in touch if you’d like early access.
This one isn't ready yet — check back soon.
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