The Revolt project is developing a communication platform aimed at creating an open alternative to the proprietary messenger Discord. Like Discord, the Revolt platform focuses on creating spaces for community and group communication based on shared interests. Revolt allows users to launch their own server for communication and, if necessary, facilitate integration with a website or interact using available client applications. For quick server deployment, a Docker container image is offered.
The server side of Revolt is written in Rust, utilizes MongoDB for database storage, and is distributed under the AGPLv3 license. The client side is written in TypeScript; the desktop version is based on the Electron platform, while the web application version is built on the Preact framework and Vite toolset. The project also separately develops components such as a server for voice communication, a file-sharing service, a proxy, and a generator for embeddable widgets on pages. Mobile applications for Android and iOS are not provided; instead, users are offered to use an installable web application that works in PWA (Progressive Web Apps) mode.
The platform is currently in the initial beta testing phase and, as it stands, supports only text and voice chat, which can be used, for example, for communication among players during cooperative gameplay. Basic features include setting user status, creating profiles with Markdown formatting, attaching badges to users, creating user groups, channels, and servers, delegating permissions, tools for blocking/unblocking violators, and support for sending invitations.
Upcoming releases are expected to support bots, a full moderation system, and modules for integration with communication platforms Discord and Matrix. In the longer term, there are plans to implement support for secure chats (E2EE Chat), which use end-to-end encryption on the participants' side. However, the project does not intend to develop towards decentralized and federated systems that combine multiple servers. Revolt does not aim to compete with Matrix, does not wish to complicate protocol implementation, and considers its niche to be the creation of optimally functioning standalone servers for individual projects and communities that can be launched on inexpensive hardware. VPS.
Among chat platforms similar to Revolt, there is also the partially open project Rocket.Chat, whose server part is written in JavaScript, runs on the Node.js platform, and is distributed under the MIT license. In Rocket.Chat, only the basic functionality is open, while additional features are provided as paid add-ons. Rocket.Chat is limited to text messaging and is primarily focused on facilitating communication among colleagues in companies and ensuring interaction with clients, partners, and suppliers.
Source: opennet.ru
