Rethinking the interface of communication.
XMS is a terminal-first Android messaging application designed to explore a different approach to digital communication — replacing conventional chat interfaces with a minimal, command-driven terminal experience.
Built around a security-focused architecture, XMS aims to combine terminal-based interaction, privacy-oriented communication and end-to-end encryption.
Project Status: Under Active Development
XMS aims to create a messaging environment where the terminal itself becomes the primary interface for communication.
Rather than following conventional messaging application designs, XMS explores a more minimal, technical and distinctive interaction model.
Its long-term vision is built around three principles:
- Terminal-First Interaction: Communication through a custom terminal interface.
- Privacy & Security: A security-focused architecture with end-to-end encryption as a core objective.
- Minimalism: A distraction-free interface built around simplicity and functionality.
- Terminal-based messaging and command interaction.
- User identity and connection management.
- Passwordless email authentication.
- Secure session management.
- Device identity and cryptographic key management.
- End-to-end encrypted communication.
- Privacy-oriented messaging architecture.
Security is a fundamental architectural objective of XMS.
The long-term goal is to implement End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), ensuring that message contents can only be accessed by the intended communicating devices.
The planned cryptographic foundation includes:
| Component | Objective |
|---|---|
| Device Identity | Establish cryptographic identities for individual devices. |
| Key Management | Securely generate, store and manage cryptographic keys. |
| Key Exchange | Establish secure shared secrets between communicating devices. |
| End-to-End Encryption | Encrypt messages before transmission and decrypt them only on authorized recipient devices. |
| Session Security | Protect authentication sessions and device access. |
| Identity Verification | Provide mechanisms to verify communicating identities and detect key changes. |
XMS intends to rely on established, reviewed cryptographic protocols and libraries rather than developing proprietary encryption algorithms.
Current Security Status: End-to-end encryption is a planned objective. The current prototype does not yet implement encrypted messaging, cryptographic key exchange or production-grade security guarantees.
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Platform | Android |
| Programming Language | Kotlin |
| UI Framework | Jetpack Compose |
| Backend | Supabase |
| Database | PostgreSQL |
| Authentication | Supabase Auth |
| Development Environment | Android Studio |
| Version Control | Git & GitHub |
- Initial terminal interface.
- Custom command parser.
- Session management and ViewModel.
- Simulated demo connection.
Status: Completed
- Supabase client integration.
- Passwordless email OTP authentication.
- Persistent session management.
- Usernames and profiles.
- User discovery and connection requests.
- Push notification foundations.
Status: In Progress
- Device identity generation.
- Cryptographic key management.
- Secure key exchange.
- Identity verification.
- Integration of established cryptographic protocols.
Status: Planned
- Actual message transmission.
- End-to-end encryption and decryption.
- Secure conversation handling.
- Message synchronization.
Status: Planned
- Security testing and auditing.
- Backend and database hardening.
- Performance optimization.
- Release preparation.
Status: Planned
XMS follows a terminal-inspired visual language built around AMOLED black, red accents and monospaced typography.
| Element | Colour | HEX |
|---|---|---|
| Primary / Outgoing | Laser Red | #FF1744 |
| Incoming Messages | Soft Crimson | #D50032 |
| Errors | Bright Scarlet | #FF3131 |
| System Output | Muted Grey | #777777 |
| Background | AMOLED Black | #000000 |
| Dividers | Structure Grey | #232323 |
The design philosophy emphasizes minimalism, readability and a distinctive terminal experience.
XMS is being developed incrementally, with an emphasis on understanding the underlying architecture, maintaining clear separation of responsibilities and validating each milestone before moving forward.
AI-assisted development tools may be used throughout the development process, alongside implementation review, testing and architectural decisions.
XMS is an experimental software development project and is currently under active development.
The existing implementation includes a terminal prototype and Supabase client integration. Authentication, real messaging, end-to-end encryption and production security are still under development or planned.
This repository will evolve as the project progresses.
XMS — Rethinking the interface of communication.