Relay Features
Relay offers a comprehensive set of features designed for modern team communication while maintaining complete control over your data through self-hosting.
Core Communication Features
Real-time Messaging
Instant messaging with WebSocket connections for lightning-fast communication across all connected users.
Voice Chat
High-quality voice communication with WebRTC technology, push-to-talk, and voice activation detection.
File Sharing
Share images, documents, and other files with automatic thumbnail generation and organized attachment management.
Channel Organization
Organize conversations with customizable channels and groups, supporting both text and voice communication.
Advanced Messaging
Rich Message Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Message Replies | Reply to specific messages to maintain conversation context |
| Message Editing | Edit your messages after sending with edit history tracking |
| Message Pinning | Pin important messages to channels for easy reference |
| User Mentions | Tag users with @ mentions and receive notifications |
| Message Search | Full-text search across all messages with advanced filtering |
| GIF Integration | Built-in Tenor GIF search and sharing capabilities |
Message Management
Message History: Complete message history with efficient pagination
Message Deletion: Remove messages with proper permission controls
Threaded Conversations: Reply chains for organized discussions
Message Reactions: React to messages with emoji (coming soon)
Voice Communication
Audio Features
WebRTC Technology: High-quality, low-latency voice communication
Adaptive Bitrate: Automatic quality adjustment based on network conditions
Echo Cancellation: Built-in audio processing for clear communication
Connection Quality Monitoring: Real-time connection status and quality metrics
User Management & Security
Authentication & Identity
Cryptographic Security
Ed25519 key pairs for secure authentication without traditional passwords.
Invite System
Controlled server access through invite codes with expiration and usage limits.
Role-Based Permissions
Granular permission system with customizable roles and per-channel permissions.
Multi-Server Support
Connect to multiple Relay servers simultaneously with unique identities.
Permission System
| Permission Type | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Server Management | Configure server settings, upload server icon, manage global configuration |
| User Moderation | Kick users, ban/unban users, manage user roles and permissions |
| Channel Management | Create, edit, delete channels and groups, manage channel permissions |
| Role Management | Create, modify, delete roles, assign roles to users |
| Invite Management | Create invite codes, manage existing invites, set expiration and limits |
| Message Permissions | Send messages, manage own messages, moderate others' messages |
Server Administration
Moderation Tools
- User Kicks: Temporarily remove disruptive users
User Bans: Permanently or temporarily ban users with reason tracking
Ban Management: View, edit, and remove existing bans
- Message Moderation: Delete inappropriate messages
Channel Moderation: Control access to specific channels
Server Configuration
Server Metadata: Configure server name, description, and icon
Rate Limiting: Built-in protection against spam and abuse
File Upload Limits: Configurable attachment size and type restrictions
Tenor Integration: Optional GIF search and sharing capabilities
CORS Configuration: Cross-origin resource sharing settings
Client Application Features
Cross-Platform Desktop App
Modern Interface
Clean, intuitive interface built with modern web technologies and native desktop integration.
Theme Customization
Light, dark, and system themes with customizable accent colors for personalization.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Comprehensive keyboard shortcuts for power users with customizable key bindings.
User Experience
Drag & Drop: Intuitive file sharing through drag and drop
Auto-Updates: Seamless application updates (when available)
System Integration: Native notifications and system tray integration
Window Management: Custom or traditional window controls
Profile Management: Global profile with per-server identity management
Technical Features
Performance & Reliability
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| WebSocket Connections | Real-time, low-latency communication with automatic reconnection |
| SQLite Database | Fast, reliable, serverless database with ACID transactions |
| HTTP Caching | Intelligent caching strategies to reduce bandwidth and improve performance |
| Rate Limiting | Multiple rate limiting strategies to prevent abuse and ensure stability |
| Error Recovery | Automatic retry mechanisms and graceful error handling |
Self-Hosting Benefits
Relay is designed for self-hosting, giving you complete control over your communication infrastructure.
Data Ownership: Your messages, files, and user data remain on your servers
Privacy Control: No third-party data collection or tracking
Customization: Modify and extend the platform to meet your specific needs
Cost Control: No per-user fees or subscription costs
Network Control: Deploy on internal networks or public cloud infrastructure
Compliance: Meet specific regulatory or organizational requirements
Integration & APIs
Developer Features
RESTful API
Comprehensive REST API for building integrations, bots, and custom clients.
WebSocket API
Real-time event streaming for live integrations and monitoring tools.
Open Source
Fully open-source codebase available for inspection, modification, and contribution.
Docker Support
Pre-built Docker containers for easy deployment and scaling.
API Capabilities
Message Management: Send, edit, delete, and search messages programmatically
User Management: Manage users, roles, and permissions through API calls
Channel Operations: Create and manage channels and groups via API
Real-time Events: Subscribe to live events through WebSocket connections
File Operations: Upload and manage attachments through REST endpoints
Getting Started
Ready to experience these features? Choose your path:
Download Client
Get the desktop application and connect to a Relay server.
Host a Server
Set up your own Relay server for complete control.
API Documentation
Explore the API for integrations and custom development.
Configure Settings
Customize your Relay experience with available settings.