Get started with Iris Chat

Your first conversation

1. Install Iris Chat.

   Get the app for Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows, or Linux. Ask the other person to install it too. Desktop and Android packages are also listed in the latest release.

2. Create your identity.

   Open the app, choose Create account, and enter a display name. This creates identity keys on your device; it does not register an account with an Iris service.

3. Connect with the other person.

   Exchange an invite link or scan an invite code. You can also use New chat and paste the other person’s user ID. Confirm the invite came from the person you intended to contact.

4. Send a message and get a reply.

   Keep both apps online for this first check. Exchange a short message in each direction, then try notifications and any linked devices you plan to use.

Choose your message servers.

Open Message servers in settings to add or remove compatible Nostr servers. Use public servers or run your own. Changing servers does not change your identity.

Both sides need a working delivery path. If you replace the defaults with your own servers, make sure the people you chat with can reach them. For local conversations, you can also use nearby connections.

Try nearby messaging.

Open Nearby in settings on both devices. Enable the available nearby options and grant Bluetooth or local-network permissions when requested. For Wi-Fi/LAN, put both devices on the same local network.

Once connected, test messages with internet access disconnected while leaving the local connection enabled. Keep both apps open during the test. Bluetooth and LAN support depend on your platform, permissions, and network; nearby mode is not a promise of unlimited range or background delivery.

A queued message is not proof that the other person received it. Confirm delivery on the receiving device. If it does not arrive, check permissions, local connectivity, and whether both apps are running.

Keep control of your identity.

To use the same identity on another device, choose Link this device and approve it from your signed-in device. Review your linked devices and remove any you no longer control.

Keep your secret key private and store a recovery copy securely if you use key-based recovery. A secret key controls your identity; do not paste it into messages or support requests. Do not assume restoring your identity restores all past messages. See the security guide.

Scripts & agents

Let your tools message you.

The iris command line app can send, read, search, and listen for messages. It uses an Iris identity and does not need a platform API key. It is useful for alerts from a local script or a conversation with an agent you run.

With Rust installed, install the CLI and inspect its commands:

cargo install iris-chat
iris --help
iris account --help
iris link --help
iris send --help
iris listen --help

Or use the prebuilt installer for Mac and Linux. Create a separate identity for your automation or link a device you trust. Messages sent to an agent are readable by that agent; any AI service it forwards them to has its own privacy policy.

See the CLI documentation for installation options. Command availability follows the version you install.