Run an SSH server for chat so users can join a command-line conversation with this project.
Open source
24 alternativesDevzat
Chat over SSH with Devzat, a terminal-based developer community for games, music, discussion, and technology news.
About Devzat
Devzat is a custom SSH server that opens a chat instead of a shell prompt. Users connect with an SSH client, choose a display name from the SSH username, and use rooms, direct messages, markdown with code highlighting, emoji replacements, and built-in Tic Tac Toe and Hangman.
The main server at devzat.hackclub.com identifies users by SSH public key, with port 443 available for firewall use without a key. The repository includes instructions to self-host an instance, which listens on port 2221 by default.
Key features
- Chat rooms joined with cd #room command
- Direct messages via =user or cd @user
- Markdown formatting with code syntax highlighting
- Built-in Tic Tac Toe and Hangman games
- Timezone setting with tz command
- Emoji shortcode replacement
Best for: People comfortable with SSH and terminal commands who want room-based text chat.
Good for
- Open source code with instructions for self-hosting
- Connects from phones and other devices with SSH apps
- Slack bridge to Hack Club #ssh-chat-bridge channel
Watch out for
- Main server uses SSH public keys and can deny access without one
- Firewall users need to connect on port 443
- Main server may be down and provides a status site to check
Devzat at a glance
- Website
- github.com/quackduck/devzat
- Category
- Privacy & Security › Encrypted Messaging
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Devzat alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Moderate Matrix communities with Mjolnir, a bot that can handle malicious invites, spam, and other server issues.
Open source
24 alternatives
Use Molly, an Android fork of Signal focused on additional security features.
Open source
24 alternatives
Rocket.Chat provides real-time messaging, voice, video, AI, and related collaboration tools for organizations.
Pick
24 alternatives
Conduit provides a Matrix-powered chat server, described by its project as simple, fast, and reliable.
Delta Chat offers decentralized messaging with multi-profile and multi-device support, plus links to chatmail relays.
Popular in Encrypted Messaging
Well-known listings from the same topic.
Signalsignal.orgJamijami.netElementelement.ioGetsession.orggetsession.orgDamusdamus.ioRicochet Refreshricochetrefresh.net
Devzat FAQ
How do I connect to the main Devzat server?
Run ssh devzat.hackclub.com. To set your display name on first login, use ssh [email protected]. Under a firewall, use ssh devzat.hackclub.com -p 443.
What if I get Permission denied (publickey)?
Devzat uses public keys to identify users. Try port 443, which does not require a key, or generate a key pair with ssh-keygen.
How do I host my own instance?
Clone the repository, run go build and ./devzat. It uses the default config and listens on port 2221, changeable with $PORT.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.