open source · GPL-3.0 · self-hosted
An ultralight messenger, batteries included.
Run your own server in minutes, even on the cheapest VPS. Link it with other servers, bridge your Telegram groups, and keep your conversations yours.
Everything a chat needs. Nothing it doesn't.
Rooms and DMs
Private, public or Open Air rooms anyone can read. Direct messages between any two people.
Live everything
Messages, edits, reactions and unread counts update instantly across tabs and devices.
Full history and search
Scroll back to the first message of any room. Search jumps to a result, however far back.
Files and media
Up to 10 files per message, a full-size image viewer and a media grid for every room.
Telegram bridge
Link rooms to Telegram groups through a bot — messages, replies and files flow both ways.
Linked instances
Pair two servers to share rooms and DMs across them, chosen by both admins.
Installable PWA
Add it to your home screen. Notifications come from the open tab — no push service involved.
Collections
Save any image or video to your own collections, public or private, and attach from them. Subscribe to others’ to use theirs too.
Light and dark
Both themes, optimistic sending with safe retries, and it works well on phones.
Up in three commands
Needs Node.js 22+ on Linux or macOS. Then open http://127.0.0.1:8090 and sign up.
git clone https://github.com/border-radius/chirkle cd chirkle && npm ci npm run setup # fetches the pinned PocketBase npm run dev # http://127.0.0.1:8090
Deploying? Copy one binary and three folders to a server — or push to Dokku with the included Dockerfile.