Direct & group chats
Start a conversation, invite people to a group, and reply, edit, or delete messages. Search locally decrypted history from the client.
AN ODFSEC PROJECT · LINUX & WSL
BlackComms
Encrypted messaging in your terminal.
A full-screen Bash messenger for direct conversations, group chats, and file sharing. Navigate with menus and keyboard shortcuts, and keep your conversations close wherever you work.
BUILT FOR CONVERSATION
Connect. Share. Pick up where you left off.
Encrypted file sharing
Send attachments alongside your messages and choose where to save incoming files. GnuPG provides end-to-end encryption for messages and files.
History across computers
Recover conversations retained on your relay using the same account and encryption passphrase. Downloaded history is also available offline.
PRIVACY & CONNECTIONS
Know how your
conversations travel.
BlackComms connects to a central relay over SSH/SFTP. The client encrypts messages and files with GnuPG before sharing them. Profiles, blocking, muting, read receipts, online status, and typing indicators are managed through the client’s privacy controls.
The relay can see connection and conversation metadata, and BlackComms does not provide forward secrecy. Keep your encryption passphrase safe and review the project’s encryption and recovery guide before getting started.
Encryption & recovery guideGET STARTED
Open a terminal.
Start a conversation.
Debian 12 is the verified target, either on Linux or through WSL on Windows. You’ll need Bash 5+, GnuPG, OpenSSH, and the supporting tools listed in the installation guide.
Online messaging needs an account and a reachable relay. Both participants must use the same relay, and account registration depends on its signup policy. The public repository distributes the client; the server is maintained privately.
Download a production release, verify its checksums, and follow the setup guide. Once installed, check for production updates from the welcome screen or Settings.
Read the installation guideSetup, messaging, privacy, and updates, all in one place.
BlackComms documentation