Arc (Anonymous Relay Chat) is a next-generation, zero-trust, progressive chat application that puts your privacy, security, and performance first. Built with Rust's memory-safe architecture and powered by decentralized relay networks, Arc delivers military-grade anonymity through intelligent message routing.

Mission: Anonymous communication through secure relay networks - no servers, no logs, no compromise.

• Anonymous:

  • NO user registration or personal info required, No email or phone number is required.
  • We use a key pair based ID, which called KID, a 32-byte public key. saved locally.
  • NO persistant messages on server except a few cached encrypted meida messages for speed up.

• Progressive:

  • There are 3 types of chat (see below), you can choose different security level of chat as you wish.

• Each member of Secured Group share a same private key that server DOESN'T know it.

• Security
  • Using ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) to ensures key messages(eg, KID) integrity and authenticity.
  • Using ECDH (Elliptic-curve Diffie–Hellman) to generate a shared AEAD key for private chat.
  • Using XChacha20Poly1305 to encrypt all messages of all chat types.
  • Using pure-rust cryptography implementation to provide fast & safe E2EE feature.
  • Memory Safety: Rust prevents buffer overflows and memory vulnerabilities
  • Anti-Replay: HMAC timestamps prevent message replay attacks

ECDSA & ECDH implementation: Curve25519 (from dalek-cryptography) XChacha20Poly1305 implementaion: RustCrypto

• Decentralized

  • Each node acting as a peer, and you can roaming to other discovered peer by DHT.
  • Users can only chat in the same relay peer, cross-relay chat is not supported.
  • Optimized DHT routing for fast peer discovery based on Mainline DHT.
  • Global Relay Mesh: Worldwide network of relay nodes ensures connectivity anywhere
  • Censorship Resistance: Relay network adapts around blocked or compromised nodes

• Simple but elegant

  • Create end-to-end encrypted private chat with one click
  • Multiple Modes: Run as relay node or a indepedent chat server
  • No client installation, No login.
  • Minimize core functions, no unnecessary distractions.
  • Lightweight: Minimal resource usage, runs smoothly on any device
  • Mobile ready.

• Rust: Tokio ecosystem, WebSocket, Cryptography, Mainline DHT
• Javascript: SolidJS, WebAssembly, MessagePack, IndexedDB

• One-Click Start: Single command deployment with zero configuration
• Modern Web UI: Responsive SolidJS interface works on any device
• No Setup Required: Works out-of-the-box with sensible defaults
• Drag & Drop: Seamless file sharing up to 20MB per file
• Intuitive Design: Clean, distraction-free interface focused on conversation

• 🏛️ Public Relay Rooms: Join community discussions through encrypted relay networks
• 💬 Private Relay Chat: Anonymous 1-on-1 conversations routed through multiple relays
• 🤫 Whisper Relay: Send private messages within rooms via secure relay routing
• 📎 Anonymous Media Relay: Share files through encrypted relay chains (up to 20MB)
• 🔇 Ghost Mode: Ultra-anonymous ephemeral sessions with maximum relay hops

• ⚡ Zero Configuration: Works perfectly with default settings
• 🌐 Universal Access: Web-based interface - no app installation needed
• 📱 Cross-Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile-ready
• 🔄 Real-Time Sync: Instant message delivery via optimized WebSocket
• 🎛️ Customizable: Extensive configuration options for advanced users

Get started in under 2 minutes! Arc is designed for instant deployment with zero hassle.

• Rust: 1.70+ (for building from source)
• OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, or any modern operating system
• RAM: 10MB minimum (incredibly lightweight!)

# Clone and run in one go
git clone https://github.com/x-ira/arc-chat.git && cd arc
cargo run --release

🎉 Open http://localhost:1930 and start chatting!

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/x-ira/arc-chat.git
cd arc

# 2. Build optimized release
cargo build --release

# 3. Launch Arc
./target/release/arc

🌐 Access your secure chat at http://localhost:1930

# Pull and run (when available)
docker run -p 1930:1930 arc-chat

# Or build yourself
docker build -t arc-chat .
docker run -p 1930:1930 arc-chat

1. 🚀 Launch: Run the command above to start your relay node
2. 🌍 Connect: Open http://localhost:1930 in your browser
3. 📧 Create Identity: Your anonymous cryptographic identity is generated automatically
4. 🔄 Join Network: Your node automatically joins the global relay network
5. 💬 Start Chatting: Send messages through encrypted relay chains immediately

⚡ Pro Tip: Arc works immediately with default settings. You're simultaneously a user and a relay node, strengthening the network for everyone!

Configure the application through conf/default.toml:

# peer_mode = false # default true, uncomment this if you want start independent chat server

[app]
name = "Arc"
lan_port = 1930
wan_port = 2010

# when other node find this node, the below meta info is offered
[meta]
name = "Mitrá - मित्र" # node name for display
desc = "Welcome to Mitrá - मित्र"   # description about this node
# domain_url = "http://127.0.0.1:1930"   # Optional, if you have a domain for this site. format: "http(s)://<YOUR-DOMAIN-NAME-OR-IP>: <PORT>/"

[room]
max_cached_msgs = 100 # cached room messages limit, if reach limit 'oldest' one will be dropped.
...

🚀 Built for Speed: Arc leverages cutting-edge technology for maximum performance and security

• 🔄 Perfect Forward Secrecy: Each session uses unique ephemeral keys

• 🚫 Network Surveillance: End-to-end encryption makes eavesdropping impossible
• 🚫 Server Raids: No servers = no data to seize or compromise
• 🚫 Identity Tracking: Cryptographic anonymity protects your real identity
• 🚫 Message Replay: Timestamp-based HMAC prevents old message attacks
• 🚫 Impersonation: Digital signatures guarantee sender authenticity
• 🚫 Metadata Mining: Minimal metadata exposure, even connection patterns hidden
• 🚫 Backdoors: Open source code = full transparency and community auditing

• 🔒 Zero-Knowledge: Even Arc developers cannot decrypt your messages
• 📊 Minimal Data: Only essential P2P routing info collected (no personal data)
• 🔑 Local Keys: Your private keys never leave your device
• 🔥 Ephemeral Mode: Optional incognito sessions with automatic cleanup
• 🚫 No Logs: Network nodes don't store conversation history
• 🔄 Forward Secrecy: Past messages stay secure even if keys are compromised

1. 🚀 Launch Arc and open the web interface
2. ✨ Click "Create Room" - no registration needed!
3. 🎲 Set room name and optional access rules
4. 🔗 Share the room link with friends (safely encrypted)
5. 🎉 Start chatting immediately with end-to-end encryption

1. 🔑 Exchange KIDs (cryptographic identifiers) with your contact
2. 📨 Send invitation routed through multiple anonymous relays
3. ✅ Accept connection to establish multi-hop encrypted relay channel
4. 💬 Chat anonymously with messages bouncing through random relay paths
5. 🔥 Ghost Mode for maximum anonymity with extended relay chains

• 🖼️ Images: PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP - relayed through encrypted chains
• 🎤 Audio: Voice messages compressed and routed through anonymous relays
• 📄 Documents: Any file type up to 20MB relayed through multiple hops
• 🛡️ Security: Files encrypted and split across multiple relay nodes
• 🚀 Speed: Intelligent relay selection for optimal transfer performance

🎆 Help us build the future of private communication! Every contribution matters.

# Development setup
rustup component add clippy rustfmt
cargo test && cargo clippy && cargo fmt

Report it on GitHub Issues - we fix critical security issues within 24 hours!

• 📚 Documentation: Comprehensive guides in /docs
• 👥 Community: Join our secure Arc rooms for support
• 📧 Contact: Reach out via encrypted channels only

License: Apache License v2.0 - Use freely, modify, distribute!

• ✅ Use Arc for legal communications only, Not intended for illegal activities.
• ✅ Respect local laws and regulations
• ✅ Consider security auditing for critical use cases
• 🚫 This is free software with no warranties

Private Issues: Email security issues privately Responsible Disclosure: Allow time for fixes before public disclosure Anonymity: Use anonymous communication channels when possible

"In a world of surveillance, anonymity is not a luxury - it's a necessity."

🔗 Links

• 🌍 Source Code: GitHub Repository
• 📚 Documentation: Technical Docs