A modern, secure, and truly decentralized communication protocol designed for the web
DCP is a spiritual successor to IRC that brings modern security, usability, and extensibility to decentralized chat. Built for the web-first era, it combines the openness of traditional protocols with contemporary features like end-to-end encryption, rich media sharing, and programmable extensions.
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption by default with forward secrecy
- 🌐 Web-native - runs in any modern browser, no apps required
- 🏠 Self-sovereign identity - you own your data and keys
- 🚀 Programmable - extensible with functions and bots
- 🌍 Network adaptive - works from fiber to satellite to mesh networks
- 📧 Email compatible - seamless bridge for gradual migration
- 🔗 Federated - decentralized network of independent nodes
[Web Client] ←→ [Home Node] ←→ [Federation Network]
↓
[Media Service]
↓
[Function Runtime]
↓
[Bot Engine]
↓
[Function Database]
- Identity Files: Portable cryptographic identities with user preferences
- Home Nodes: Your personal server for authentication and message routing
- Function System: JavaScript/WebAssembly extensions for custom functionality
- Bot Framework: Automated agents for moderation, integration, and services
- Trust Chains: Distributed moderation and reputation networks
- Join a community: Visit any DCP-enabled website (like
https://chat.example.com) - Create identity: Generate your cryptographic identity automatically
- Save your key: Download your identity file - this is your "passport" to the network
- Start chatting: Join channels, send messages, share files
- Read the specification: Start with the full protocol specification
- Try the examples: Check out reference implementations and examples
- Build clients: Create web, mobile, or desktop clients using the open protocol
- Write functions: Extend the protocol with custom JavaScript/WASM functions
- Deploy nodes: Run your own home node for ultimate control
- Deploy a home node: Set up your community's communication hub
- Migrate gradually: Use email bridge for seamless transition from existing systems
- Customize experience: Install functions and bots tailored to your needs
- Federate: Connect with other communities while maintaining autonomy
- Replace email + Slack with unified, self-hosted platform
- Seamless external communication via email bridge
- Advanced compliance and audit capabilities
- Custom integrations and workflows
- Voice chat with spatial audio
- Rich media sharing and streaming
- Custom bots for game integration
- Persistent community across games
- Anonymous communication channels
- Source protection with cryptographic guarantees
- Censorship-resistant mesh networking
- Dead-drop systems for maximum security
- Works over satellite, mesh, and radio networks
- Offline message queuing and sync
- Emergency contact systems
- Bandwidth-adaptive features
- Collaborative documents and whiteboards
- Academic discussion channels
- Integration with research tools
- Privacy-preserving analytics
DCP automatically adapts to your network conditions:
| Connection Type | Features Available |
|---|---|
| Fiber/Broadband | Full features: HD video, real-time collab, unlimited media |
| Mobile Data | Optimized: compressed media, data-saver mode, quality controls |
| Satellite | Essential: text + documents, voice messages, manual downloads |
| Mesh/Radio | Minimal: text only, store-and-forward, emergency protocols |
- Identity: Ed25519 keys with PBKDF2 protection
- Messages: ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption with Double Ratchet forward secrecy
- Transport: TLS 1.3 with certificate pinning
- Metadata: Minimized data collection with user control
- Functions: Sandboxed WebAssembly/V8 execution
- Federation: Cryptographically signed cross-node communication
We welcome contributions from developers, security researchers, and community members!
- 🔧 Protocol Implementation: Reference clients and servers
- 🔒 Security Auditing: Cryptographic review and penetration testing
- 📚 Documentation: Tutorials, guides, and API documentation
- 🧪 Testing: Compliance tests and interoperability validation
- 🎨 UI/UX: Client interfaces and user experience design
- 🤖 Extensions: Functions, bots, and integrations
- Fork this repository
- Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature) - Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add amazing feature') - Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature) - Open a Pull Request
This project follows a contributor covenant. Be respectful, inclusive, and collaborative. We're building this together! 🤝
- Specification Issues: GitHub Issues
This project is licensed under multiple licenses:
- Protocol Specification: CC BY 4.0 - freely implementable
- Reference Implementation: MIT License - use in any project
- Documentation: CC BY 4.0 - share and adapt
Each has strengths, but DCP combines the best aspects:
- vs Matrix: Simpler protocol, better performance, web-native design
- vs XMPP: Modern crypto, built-in media handling, function extensibility
- vs IRC: Security by default, rich features, network adaptation
- vs Discord/Slack: Decentralized, open protocol, data ownership
DCP is not a blockchain protocol:
- ✅ Fast: No mining or consensus delays
- ✅ Cheap: No transaction fees or token requirements
- ✅ Scalable: No global state synchronization
- ✅ Private: No public transaction ledger
- ✅ Practical: Works with existing internet infrastructure
Yes! DCP includes migration tools and bridges:
- Email bridge: Maintains external communication during transition
- Import tools: Migrate channels, users, and message history
- Gradual adoption: Users can switch at their own pace
- Feature parity: All modern chat features supported
DCP is designed mobile-first:
- Progressive Web App: Install from browser, works offline
- Native apps: Reference implementations for iOS/Android
- Battery optimized: Efficient protocols and smart caching
- Data sensitive: Adapts to mobile data limitations
DCP is currently in draft specification phase:
- ✅ Design: Complete protocol design
- 🔄 Implementation: Reference implementation in progress
- ⏳ Testing: Security audits and compliance testing needed
- ⏳ Production: Target late 2025 for initial production deployments
Built with ❤️ by the open source community
"Communication should be open, secure, and under your control"