Chanty
Team chat and collaboration with channels, audio/video calls, and task management
Cinny
Simple, elegant Matrix client for modern instant messaging
A Matrix protocol client emphasizing simplicity, elegance, and security. Delivers a modern instant messaging experience with an intuitive interface for decentralized communication.
Overview
Modern Matrix Messaging
Cinny is a Matrix client designed for users who value simplicity and elegance without sacrificing security. Built to make decentralized instant messaging accessible, it offers a clean, modern interface that reduces friction for both new and experienced Matrix users.
Flexible Deployment
Available as a web application and desktop client, Cinny supports multiple deployment scenarios. Teams can self-host by serving static files from the tarball distribution or deploying via Docker images from DockerHub or GitHub Container Registry. Configuration is straightforward, with customizable homeserver defaults and routing options including hash-based routing for simplified server setup.
Who It's For
Cinny targets individuals and organizations seeking a user-friendly entry point to the Matrix ecosystem. Whether you're migrating from centralized platforms or building privacy-focused communication infrastructure, Cinny balances ease of use with the decentralization benefits of Matrix protocol. Self-hosting capabilities make it suitable for teams requiring data sovereignty, while the hosted web app provides immediate access without infrastructure overhead.
Highlights
Clean, modern interface focused on usability and accessibility
Self-hostable with Docker or static file deployment
Web and desktop application options for flexible access
Configurable homeserver defaults and routing strategies
Pros
- Intuitive design lowers the barrier to Matrix adoption
- Multiple deployment options including hosted and self-hosted
- Active development with continuous deployment of dev branch
- Lightweight static distribution simplifies hosting
Considerations
- Subdirectory deployment requires manual rebuild with custom base path
- Hash routing needed if redirect configuration is challenging
- Desktop app maintained in separate repository
- Feature set may be narrower than more established Matrix clients
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Fit guide
Great for
- Teams wanting an approachable Matrix client for end users
- Organizations requiring self-hosted, privacy-focused messaging
- Users seeking a modern alternative to traditional Matrix interfaces
- Projects needing lightweight, containerized chat deployment
Not ideal when
- Users requiring advanced Matrix power-user features
- Deployments needing complex subdirectory paths without rebuild capability
- Organizations requiring enterprise support contracts
- Teams needing tightly integrated desktop and web codebases
How teams use it
Privacy-Conscious Team Communication
Self-host Cinny on internal infrastructure to maintain full control over messaging data while providing team members with an intuitive chat interface
Community Matrix Onboarding
Deploy Cinny as the primary client for community members new to Matrix, reducing onboarding friction with its simplified, modern design
Rapid Containerized Deployment
Pull the Docker image and launch a Matrix client instance in minutes with minimal configuration for development or production environments
Decentralized Messaging Migration
Transition users from centralized platforms to Matrix protocol using Cinny's familiar, approachable interface to ease the learning curve
Tech snapshot
TypeScript99%
JavaScript1%
CSS1%
HTML1%
Dockerfile1%
Frequently asked questions
What is Matrix and why does Cinny use it?
Matrix is an open standard for decentralized, secure communication. Cinny uses Matrix to provide users with privacy-focused messaging that isn't controlled by a single entity, allowing federation across servers.
Can I use Cinny without self-hosting?
Yes, the web app is available at app.cinny.in and is updated with each release. You can start using it immediately without any hosting setup.
How do I self-host Cinny?
Download the tarball from GitHub releases and serve the dist/ folder with your webserver, or pull the Docker image from DockerHub or GitHub Container Registry. Configure redirects or enable hash routing as needed.
Is there a desktop version?
Yes, a desktop application is available from the separate cinny-desktop repository, providing native app functionality alongside the web client.
What configuration is required after deployment?
Default homeservers and explore pages are set in config.json. You'll need to configure redirects for your webserver or enable hash routing if redirect setup is difficult.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 2,643
- Watchers
- 2,643
- Forks
- 374
LicenseAGPL-3.0
Repo age4 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced yesterday