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* UI: replace textual 'close' with X icon\n\n- AppInfoView (iOS): use xmark icon in nav bar to match Location Notes style.\n- LocationChannelsSheet: use xmark icon for close on iOS/macOS toolbars; add accessibility label. * Location Notes: prefix usernames with @ and lighten #geohash\n\n- Show @ before usernames in notes list.\n- Split header into '@' and '#geohash' and color the geohash with secondary green for consistency. * Header spacing: add breathing room between channel badge, notes button, and people count\n\n- Add trailing padding after #mesh/#geohash badge.\n- Add leading padding before notes button and people counter to improve readability. * Header: nudge #mesh/#geohash badge right with leading padding * Location Notes + Header polish\n\n- Header: add space in '@ #geohash' and use darker green for geohash.\n- Notes list: render '@name#abcd' with darker green for #abcd to match chat.\n- Header: move geochat bookmark icon after #geohash badge with consistent spacing. * Location Notes: @name regular green, #abcd darker; nudge #hash\n\n- Render '@' and base name in regular green, suffix '#abcd' in darker green.\n- Add extra left padding before '#geohash' in notes header.\n- Increase leading padding for channel badge to push #mesh/#geohash further right. * Fix notes icon color: subscribe/count at block-level geohash\n\n- Use block (precision 7) geohash for notes: when opening sheet, on channel changes, and when subscribing the counter.\n- Aligns with LocationNotesManager which publishes at street-level geohash, allowing the counter to detect notes and turn icon blue. * Header spacing: move #mesh/#geohash closer to notes/bookmark\n\n- Reduce trailing padding on channel badge and leading padding on notes/bookmark to cluster them together.\n- Keeps larger gap before people count for readability. * Notes: standardize on building-level (8 chars) for publish/read\n\n- Use .building geohash when opening notes, reacting to channel updates, and subscribing the counter.\n- Update comments to reflect building-level scope. * Location Channels sheet: use black sheet background like other sheets\n\n- Add backgroundColor and apply to container and list.\n- Hide list default background with scrollContentBackground(.hidden). * Notes icon: use green when notes exist (matches app green) * Location Channels: boxed 'bookmarked' section; keep 'remove location access' outside box\n\n- Wrap bookmarked list in a rounded, subtle grey box within the list.\n- Ensure the 'remove location access' button is not inside the box and clears list row background. * Notes counter UX: avoid grey flicker when closing sheet\n\n- Preserve last count during resubscribe to prevent brief 0 state.\n- Keep existing subscription when building geohash temporarily unavailable; only cancel if none or permission revoked. * Notes counter: unsubscribe without clearing count on resubscribe\n\n- Avoid calling cancel() in subscribe; just unsubscribe old sub to prevent wiping count to 0.\n- Prevents green→grey flicker after closing sheet or location updates. * Notes icon: use sheet count until counter finishes initial load; don’t zero on sheet close\n\n- Compute hasNotes using max(count, sheetCount) while initialLoadComplete is false.\n- Remove sheetNotesCount reset on sheet disappear to avoid transient grey. * Location Notes header: remove extra gap before #geohash (drop leading padding) * Notes sheet: color #abcd suffix as darker green via opacity (match chat) * Notes sheet: show timestamp in brackets; drop #abcd from @name * chore: commit remaining local changes * Header: move notes + bookmark to left of #mesh/#geohash * Header spacing: tighten gap between #mesh/#geohash and peer count --------- Co-authored-by: jack <jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com>
bitchat
A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app with dual transport architecture: local Bluetooth mesh networks for offline communication and internet-based Nostr protocol for global reach. No accounts, no phone numbers, no central servers. It's the side-groupchat.
Warning
Private messages have not received external security review and may contain vulnerabilities. Do not use for sensitive use cases, and do not rely on its security until it has been reviewed. Now uses the Noise Protocol for identity and encryption. Public local chat (the main feature) has no security concerns.
License
This project is released into the public domain. See the LICENSE file for details.
Features
- Dual Transport Architecture: Bluetooth mesh for offline + Nostr protocol for internet-based messaging
- Location-Based Channels: Geographic chat rooms using geohash coordinates over global Nostr relays
- Intelligent Message Routing: Automatically chooses best transport (Bluetooth → Nostr fallback)
- Decentralized Mesh Network: Automatic peer discovery and multi-hop message relay over Bluetooth LE
- Privacy First: No accounts, no phone numbers, no persistent identifiers
- Private Message End-to-End Encryption: Noise Protocol for mesh, NIP-17 for Nostr
- IRC-Style Commands: Familiar
/slap,/msg,/whostyle interface - Universal App: Native support for iOS and macOS
- Emergency Wipe: Triple-tap to instantly clear all data
- Performance Optimizations: LZ4 message compression, adaptive battery modes, and optimized networking
Technical Architecture
BitChat uses a hybrid messaging architecture with two complementary transport layers:
Bluetooth Mesh Network (Offline)
- Local Communication: Direct peer-to-peer within Bluetooth range
- Multi-hop Relay: Messages route through nearby devices (max 7 hops)
- No Internet Required: Works completely offline in disaster scenarios
- Noise Protocol Encryption: End-to-end encryption with forward secrecy
- Binary Protocol: Compact packet format optimized for Bluetooth LE constraints
- Automatic Discovery: Peer discovery and connection management
- Adaptive Power: Battery-optimized duty cycling
Nostr Protocol (Internet)
- Global Reach: Connect with users worldwide via internet relays
- Location Channels: Geographic chat rooms using geohash coordinates
- 290+ Relay Network: Distributed across the globe for reliability
- NIP-17 Encryption: Gift-wrapped private messages for internet privacy
- Ephemeral Keys: Fresh cryptographic identity per geohash area
Channel Types
mesh #bluetooth
- Transport: Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network
- Scope: Local devices within multi-hop range
- Internet: Not required
- Use Case: Offline communication, protests, disasters, remote areas
Location Channels (block #dr5rsj7, neighborhood #dr5rs, country #dr)
- Transport: Nostr protocol over internet
- Scope: Geographic areas defined by geohash precision
block(7 chars): City block levelneighborhood(6 chars): District/neighborhoodcity(5 chars): City levelprovince(4 chars): State/provinceregion(2 chars): Country/large region
- Internet: Required (connects to Nostr relays)
- Use Case: Location-based community chat, local events, regional discussions
Direct Message Routing
Private messages use intelligent transport selection:
-
Bluetooth First (preferred when available)
- Direct connection with established Noise session
- Fastest and most private option
-
Nostr Fallback (when Bluetooth unavailable)
- Uses recipient's Nostr public key
- NIP-17 gift-wrapping for privacy
- Routes through global relay network
-
Smart Queuing (when neither available)
- Messages queued until transport becomes available
- Automatic delivery when connection established
For detailed protocol documentation, see the Technical Whitepaper.
Setup
Option 1: Using XcodeGen (Recommended)
-
Install XcodeGen if you haven't already:
brew install xcodegen -
Generate the Xcode project:
cd bitchat xcodegen generate -
Open the generated project:
open bitchat.xcodeproj
Option 2: Using Swift Package Manager
-
Open the project in Xcode:
cd bitchat open Package.swift -
Select your target device and run
Option 3: Manual Xcode Project
- Open Xcode and create a new iOS/macOS App
- Copy all Swift files from the
bitchatdirectory into your project - Update Info.plist with Bluetooth permissions
- Set deployment target to iOS 16.0 / macOS 13.0
Option 4: just
Want to try this on macos: just run will set it up and run from source.
Run just clean afterwards to restore things to original state for mobile app building and development.