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nixos-dotfiles / future-modules / xmpp-setup.md
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How to Join the XMPP Server

Welcome! We're moving from Discord to XMPP for better privacy and control. This guide will help you get set up in 5 minutes.

What is XMPP?

XMPP is like Discord, but:

  • Privacy-focused - No tracking, no ads, no data mining
  • Self-hosted - We control the server, not a corporation
  • Open source - Free software you can trust
  • End-to-end encrypted - Your messages are secure (OMEMO encryption)

You get all the important features: group chats, DMs, file sharing, voice/video calls, message history, and mobile apps.

Quick Setup Guide

Step 1: Get Your Account Credentials

You'll receive:

  • Username: yourname@yourdomain.com
  • Password: (a temporary password - change it after first login)
  • Server: yourdomain.com

Step 2: Install a Client

Choose based on your device:

Android (Recommended: Conversations)

  1. Open Google Play Store
  2. Search for "Conversations" (€3.99) or "Monocles Chat" (free)
  3. Install it
  4. Open the app and tap "Create Account" or "Add Account"
  5. Enter your credentials:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  6. Tap "Connect"
  7. Done! You'll see your contact list and can join rooms

Why Conversations? Best XMPP client, supports all modern features, active development, one-time payment.

iPhone (Recommended: Monal)

  1. Open App Store
  2. Search for "Monal" (free)
  3. Install it
  4. Open the app and tap "Add Account"
  5. Choose "XMPP"
  6. Enter your credentials:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  7. Tap "Save"
  8. Done! You'll see your contact list and can join rooms

Linux (Recommended: Dino or Gajim)

Option A: Dino (Modern, GNOME-style)

# NixOS
nix-shell -p dino

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install dino-im

# Arch
sudo pacman -S dino

# Fedora
sudo dnf install dino
  1. Open Dino
  2. Click "Add Account"
  3. Enter:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  4. Click "Connect"

Option B: Gajim (Feature-rich)

# NixOS
nix-shell -p gajim

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install gajim

# Arch
sudo pacman -S gajim

# Fedora
sudo dnf install gajim
  1. Open Gajim
  2. Go to Accounts → Add Account
  3. Choose "I already have an account"
  4. Enter:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  5. Click "Connect"

Windows (Recommended: Gajim)

  1. Download Gajim: https://gajim.org/download/
  2. Run the installer
  3. Open Gajim
  4. Go to Accounts → Add Account
  5. Choose "I already have an account"
  6. Enter your credentials:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  7. Click "Connect"

macOS (Recommended: Monal)

  1. Open Mac App Store
  2. Search for "Monal" (free)
  3. Install it
  4. Open Monal and click "Add Account"
  5. Choose "XMPP"
  6. Enter your credentials:
    • Jabber ID: yourname@yourdomain.com
    • Password: (the one provided)
  7. Click "Save"

Step 3: Join Group Chats

Once connected, join our community rooms:

In Conversations (Android):

  1. Tap the "+" button (bottom right)
  2. Select "Join group chat"
  3. Enter: #general@conference.yourdomain.com
  4. Tap "Join"

In Monal (iOS/macOS):

  1. Tap "Chats" tab
  2. Tap the "+" button (top right)
  3. Select "Join Channel"
  4. Enter: #general@conference.yourdomain.com
  5. Tap "Join"

In Dino/Gajim (Desktop):

  1. Click "Join Group Chat" or press Ctrl+J
  2. Enter: #general@conference.yourdomain.com
  3. Click "Join"

Available Rooms:

  • #general@conference.yourdomain.com - Main discussion
  • #random@conference.yourdomain.com - Off-topic chat
  • #tech@conference.yourdomain.com - Tech discussion
  • #gaming@conference.yourdomain.com - Gaming chat

Features Guide

Sending Messages

Just type and hit Enter. Markdown-like formatting works in most clients:

  • *bold* → bold
  • _italic_ → italic
  • `code` → code

Sending Files

  • Mobile: Tap the attachment icon
  • Desktop: Drag and drop files, or click the attachment button
  • Size limit: 100MB per file

Voice/Video Calls

  • Gajim/Dino: Click the phone/video icon in a 1-on-1 chat
  • Conversations: Tap the phone icon in a contact's chat
  • Monal: Limited support (text chat is primary)

End-to-End Encryption (OMEMO)

All DMs are encrypted by default. For group chats:

  1. Open the room
  2. Enable OMEMO in settings
  3. Everyone in the room needs OMEMO-capable clients

Push Notifications

  • Mobile: Works automatically (Conversations, Monal)
  • Desktop: Enable system notifications in client settings

Message History

The server saves your messages for 1 year. When you log in on a new device, you'll see recent history automatically.

Changing Your Password

Most clients have a "Change Password" option in account settings. Or ask an admin to reset it.

Comparison: Discord vs XMPP

Feature Discord XMPP
Group chats ✓ Servers/Channels ✓ Rooms
Direct messages ✓ ✓
File sharing ✓ (25MB free) ✓ (100MB)
Voice/video ✓ ✓ (varies by client)
Screen sharing ✓ ✗ (not yet)
Message history ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
End-to-end encryption ✗ ✓ (OMEMO)
Self-hosted ✗ ✓
Open source ✗ ✓
Privacy Poor (data mining) Excellent (self-hosted)
Ads/tracking Yes No

Bottom line: XMPP has 90% of Discord's features, but with 100% more privacy and control.

Troubleshooting

Can't connect?

  • Check your username is yourname@yourdomain.com (not just yourname)
  • Verify your password (no typos)
  • Make sure you have internet connection
  • Try a different client (sometimes mobile works when desktop doesn't)

No push notifications on mobile?

  • Enable notifications in phone settings
  • Conversations: Needs Google Play Services OR UnifiedPush
  • Monal: Should work automatically

Can't join a room?

  • Make sure the room address is correct: #roomname@conference.yourdomain.com
  • Check if you're connected (green indicator)
  • Try typing the full address instead of using autocomplete

Messages not syncing across devices?

  • Make sure "Message Carbons" is enabled (usually automatic)
  • Gajim: Preferences → Advanced → Message Carbons

Voice calls not working?

  • Check microphone permissions
  • Desktop only: Gajim and Dino support calls (Conversations on Android too)
  • Make sure both parties are using compatible clients

Someone's messages show a warning icon?

  • OMEMO encryption issue
  • Their device hasn't verified yours yet
  • Usually safe to trust on first contact (like Signal)

Getting Help

Tips for Discord Refugees

Mental Model Shift:

  • Discord Server → XMPP Room (group chat)
  • Discord Channel → XMPP Room (each room is independent)
  • Discord DM → XMPP Chat (works the same)
  • @mention → @username (type @ then start typing their name)

Things That Work Differently:

  • No bots (yet): XMPP has bots but not Discord-style
  • No custom emoji reactions: Standard emoji only
  • No roles/permissions: Room moderators exist but simpler
  • No status games: You can set a text status but no "Playing Valorant" integration

Things That Are Better:

  • E2E encryption: Your messages are actually private
  • No spying: Server admin (me) can't read encrypted DMs
  • No data mining: Your info isn't sold to advertisers
  • Lightweight: Apps use less battery/RAM
  • Decentralized: If this server dies, you can move to another XMPP server

Learning Curve:

  • Day 1: Feels weird, where are my Discord features?
  • Day 3: Okay, this works pretty well
  • Week 1: I like how lightweight this is
  • Month 1: Wait, Discord had ads? And no encryption?

Creating Your Own Rooms

Want to create a private chat room?

In Conversations (Android):

  1. Tap "+" → "Create group chat"
  2. Choose "Create new channel"
  3. Enter room name (e.g., "secret-plans")
  4. Tap "Create"

In Gajim/Dino:

  1. "Join Group Chat" → "Create New Room"
  2. Room address: yourroom@conference.yourdomain.com
  3. Click "Create"

Room Privacy:

  • Public: Anyone can join
  • Private: Invite-only (set in room config)
  • OMEMO-enabled: End-to-end encrypted (enable after creation)

Migrating from Discord

Export your Discord data (optional):

Discord doesn't have a good export tool. If you have important messages:

  1. Use DiscordChatExporter (third-party tool)
  2. Save channels as HTML/JSON
  3. Upload to file sharing if needed

Telling people you switched:

Hey! I'm moving to XMPP for privacy reasons.

Add me: yourname@yourdomain.com

What's XMPP? It's like Discord but self-hosted and encrypted.
Get the Conversations app (Android) or Monal (iOS).

I'll still check Discord occasionally, but I'm mainly on XMPP now.

Why We Switched

  • Privacy: Discord mines your data, XMPP doesn't
  • Control: We own the server, not a corporation
  • No ads: Self-hosted means no monetization pressure
  • Open source: Auditable code, community-driven
  • Decentralized: Not dependent on one company staying solvent
  • Better security: E2E encryption actually works
  • Lightweight: Less resource-heavy than Discord

Discord is convenient, but we're trading convenience for privacy and autonomy.

Welcome to XMPP!

Once you're connected, say hi in #general! We're a small community, but we value privacy and open-source software.

If you have questions, ask in #support or DM an admin.

Enjoy your freedom from surveillance capitalism. :)