conversejs/converse.js
Converse.js
Converse.js is an embeddable, self-hosted XMPP chat client that runs entirely in the browser. It communicates with XMPP servers using standard XML stanzas over WebSocket or BOSH transports, and provides end-to-end encryption through the OMEMO protocol with double ratchet algorithm and X3DH key exchange. The client is built on a plugin-based architecture that allows extending core functionality at runtime without modifying the client itself, and uses a DOM-based rendering approach with an event-driven message bus for internal coordination.
The client manages message history through XEP-0313 Message Archive Management, retrieving and synchronizing persistent chat logs across sessions. It supports reliable message delivery through stream management, tracking stanza acknowledgments and resuming sessions after disconnection. File transfers are handled via the HTTP File Upload protocol, uploading files to an external server and sharing the resulting URL in chat.
Converse.js provides comprehensive authentication and identity management, supporting login with existing XMPP accounts, anonymous login, in-band registration, auto-login with credentials, and domain-based restrictions. It handles one-on-one and group chat interactions, including multi-user chat rooms with moderation tools, contact management, message correction and retraction, and presence management with automatic away status. The client can be embedded as a fullscreen app, floating overlay, or inline widget, and runs on self-hosted infrastructure for full data control and privacy.
Features
- Chat Clients - Embeds a real-time XMPP chat client directly into any website under the site owner's control.
- Self-Hosted XMPP Chat Clients - Embeds a self-hosted XMPP chat client into websites with full data control.
- XMPP Message Archive Managements - Retrieves and synchronizes persistent message history from the server using XEP-0313 for seamless chat log access.
- Presence Management - Displays custom status messages and availability indicators for contacts in real-time.
- Plugin-Extensible Runtimes - Extends core functionality by loading independent plugin modules at runtime without modifying the client itself.
- Self-Hosted Chat Servers - Runs a self-hosted instance of the chat client by connecting it to an XMPP server and a web server.
- Self-Hosted Infrastructure - Runs the chat client on user-owned servers for full data control and privacy.
- Chat Moderation Tools - Converse.js creates and moderates group chat rooms with invitations, message moderation, and moderator tools.
- Multi-User Chat Room Managers - Converse.js participates in group chat rooms using the XMPP Multi-User Chat extension.
- Automatic Reconnection Logic - Automatically restores dropped XMPP connections without manual intervention.
- Connection Configurations - Configures connection URLs and auto-reconnect behavior for XMPP server communication.
- Stream Management Protocols - Enables or disables XMPP stream management for reliable message delivery over WebSocket connections.
- Contact Management - Manages contact lists with add, remove, and auto-subscribe capabilities for XMPP messaging.
- Encrypted Messengers - Provides an OMEMO-encrypted messenger for secure end-to-end communication.
- Archived Message Fetchers - Fetches archived messages via MAM, auto-fills gaps, and clears cached messages on reconnection.
- Rich XMPP Message Compositions - Converse.js sends styled messages with corrections, reactions, URL previews, and file attachments over XMPP.
- Authentication Login Handlers - Authenticates users with XMPP credentials to access messaging services.
- XMPP Account Logins - Authenticates users against any existing XMPP server with login and registration support.
- Data Sovereignty - Runs on your own infrastructure so you control the server, storage, and privacy policy.
- End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Frameworks - Implements OMEMO end-to-end encryption for secure messaging between users.
- End-to-End Encryption - Encrypts messages using the OMEMO protocol with double ratchet algorithm and X3DH key exchange for secure chat.
- OMEMO Double Ratchet Implementations - Encrypts messages using the OMEMO protocol with double ratchet algorithm and X3DH key exchange for secure chat.
- Plugin Architectures - Extends chat functionality through a plugin architecture with many available extensions.
- Plugin & Module Systems - Adds a plugin system to JavaScript modules for third-party code access and method overrides.
- Plugin-Based Architectures - Extends core functionality by loading and managing independent plugin modules at runtime without modifying the client itself.
- XMPP Message Archive Retrievals - Retrieves and synchronizes persistent message history from the server using XEP-0313 for seamless chat log access.
- Live Chat Widgets - Embeds a chat interface as an overlay, widget, or full-page app with brand-matched appearance and behavior.
- DOM-Based Rendering - Renders the entire chat interface directly in the browser DOM using JavaScript templates and CSS.
- Embedded Chat Widgets - Adds a real-time XMPP chat interface to any web page, configurable as overlay, widget, or fullscreen app.
- Custom Plugin Development - Adds custom features like file sharing and encryption by developing and integrating plugins.
- Visual and Behavioral Configuration - Adjusts chat features like auto-focus, drag-resize, message correction, and styling.
- Account Authentication Managers - Configures login methods, account registration, and authentication for XMPP messaging.
- XMPP Account Registrations - Creates new XMPP accounts directly from the browser using in-band registration.
- Chat Room Administration - Configures auto-joining rooms, listing rooms, handling invitations, and registering nicknames.
- Inline Image Integration - Renders image URLs directly within chat messages as inline images.
- Data Caching - Clears cached messages and data on logout, with options to override trust per device.
- Chat History Gap Fillers - Converse.js automatically fills gaps in the chat history by fetching missing messages from the server.
- Client-Side Plugin Extenders - Extends chat functionality with custom plugins for file sharing, encryption, and bots.
- XMPP MUC Moderator Commands - Converse.js enables or disables specific moderator slash commands like kick or ban in group chat.
- File Sharing Services - Uploads and shares files directly in chat using the HTTP File Upload protocol.
- XMPP Stream Reliabilities - Ensures reliable message delivery by tracking stanza acknowledgments and resuming sessions after disconnection.
- XMPP Stream Acknowledgements - Ensures reliable message delivery by tracking stanza acknowledgments and resuming sessions after disconnection.
- HTTP File Uploads - Transfers files between users by uploading to an external HTTP server and sharing the resulting URL in chat.
- Authentication Method Configurations - Sets the method used to log in, supporting login, anonymous, external, or prebind authentication.
- Anonymous Authentication - Logs into an XMPP server without providing a username or password, using only a server hostname.
- Automated Credential Logins - Provides the user's Jabber ID and password directly for automatic login on page load.
- XMPP In-Band Registrations - Supports XEP-0077 in-band registration for creating new XMPP accounts from the UI.
- Automatic XMPP Authentications - Connects to an XMPP server and wires up automatic authentication for logged-in users, removing the need for manual login.
- Chat Room Invitations - Converse.js allows users to invite others to join multi-user chat rooms via an invite widget.
- Event Bus Architectures - Coordinates internal components and plugins through a publish-subscribe event system for decoupled communication.
- Desktop Alert Triggers - Displays desktop notifications when new messages arrive while the page is not focused.
- Chat Message Modification - Converse.js allows users to edit their most recently sent message or all of their own messages.
- Branding Customization - Integrates with existing auth systems and matches brand through configuration and plugins.
- Message Retractions - Converse.js allows users or moderators to retract sent messages based on configured permissions.
- Inline Media Displays - Renders images, media players, and geo-URIs inline from URLs in messages.
- Chat And Messaging - Listed in the “Chat And Messaging” section of the Awesome Selfhosted awesome list.
- Communication Platforms - Web-based XMPP chat client.
- XMPP Clients - Browser-based chat client for XMPP networks.
