Private communication
HAI Messenger
A free, self-hosted messenger with encrypted real-time chat, media sharing, voice notes, in-chat games, groups, and ephemeral Nearby conversations.
Interactive preview
Try a demo
Send messages in a local sample. This is a small browser-only illustration, not the full application. AI responses are scripted; model and desktop features are not running here. Inputs stay on this page and reset when you reload.
Result
Ready. Change the sample and run the demo.
Explore the real workflow
Create and verify an account, then sign in.
The full app's capabilities and requirements are described below.
What it is for
A free, self-hosted messenger with encrypted real-time chat, media sharing, voice notes, in-chat games, groups, and ephemeral Nearby conversations.
Everyday messaging should not require advertising profiles or surrender of conversation content. HAI explores a privacy-first communication stack that can be hosted and operated independently.
- Keep a conversation going
- Use live direct messages with presence, typing state, and read updates.
- Share more than text
- Exchange supported media and voice notes, or start an in-chat game.
- Use the app on your device
- Open the responsive web client or install the PWA where supported.
Get started
Create and verify an account, sign in, and add a contact or join a group. Start with a message, then use the media, voice, or game controls as needed.
- A verified HAI Messenger account.
- A modern browser and an internet connection.
- Microphone or camera permission only for the features you choose to use.
Features and workflow
- Encrypted direct messages
- Hybrid RSA-OAEP and AES-256-GCM envelopes keep message bodies as ciphertext while passing through the server.
- Real-time communication
- Socket.IO delivers messages, typing state, presence, read state, and live interaction updates.
- Media and voice
- Send photos, documents, voice notes, camera captures, and view-once media.
- In-chat games
- Invite the active contact into Tic Tac Toe, Connect Four, Hangman, trivia, and other live games.
- Nearby chat
- Enter an anonymous, time-limited conversation mode without adding the other person as a contact.
- Installable experience
- Use the responsive web client as an installable PWA on desktop or mobile.
- Create and verify an account, then sign in.
- Add a contact, join a group, or enter Nearby mode.
- The browser encrypts supported direct-message content for the recipient.
- The server relays real-time ciphertext and short-lived interaction events.
- The recipient decrypts the content in their authenticated browser session.
Architecture
Express serves the web application and account APIs, Socket.IO handles live events, PostgreSQL stores durable account and message records, and Redis supports ephemeral coordination. Docker Compose runs the supporting services, while Cloudflare Tunnel provides public HTTPS without opening inbound ports.
Privacy and limitations
Direct messages use browser-side hybrid encryption, but transport and application metadata still exist and group behavior has different trust boundaries. HAI is a personal open-source project, not an independently audited high-risk communications product.
Status
Live and actively developed. Core messaging, groups, media, games, Nearby, and PWA installation are available; security-sensitive use should account for the project status and documented boundaries.
- Availability
- Live web app
- Cost
- Free
- Ads
- None
- Hosting
- Self-hosted
Gallery
Questions
Is HAI Messenger free?
The current project is free and has no advertising. It is self-hosted and independently developed.
What does encryption cover?
Supported direct-message bodies use browser-side hybrid encryption. Metadata and group behavior have different trust boundaries; this is not an independently audited high-risk messaging product.
Do I have to install it?
No. Use the browser client directly. PWA installation is available on supported devices.