This is a fairly ambitious project, while supporting (hopefully) all known Hotline client / server features, there are also extensions to the protocol.
The extensions (and more) are available at GitHub, and yes - I use AI to assist with processing documentation. And no, I don't care about how butthurt / annoyed some would be over this.
Client - Hermes
Currently realeased as an Alpha, this to showcase some of the features a modern client could implement.
Most features are listed on the website.
Server - Janus
Most features are listed on the website.
Tracker - Argus
Most features are listed on the website.
And to showcase a bit of the API (as well as Mnemosyne, a content indexing service), there is Agora. It lists tracked servers and offers searching content.
Leaving this post short and concise, mostly to spark a bit of interest, exploration, hopefully testing and perhaps a bit of feedback.
Bonus (Update 2026-07-06)
I have created several extensions for the Hotline protocol, which to some degree has been adapter by other developers. Therefore, another extension is being developed which introduces two more clients with a different approach.
IM Protocol Extension:
With the Hotline protocol, a lot of the necessary moving parts are already given for free, which essentially makes the IM extension somewhat breezy to implement. One could potentially create a hybrid client (hotline functionality + messenger) or like me, to showcase the possibility by creating pure instant messenger clients.
The protocol extension itself is still in early / mid phase of development and has potential for growth. (server linking etc, no need to rely on a single server - one account, many servers), and with whats already available in the Hotline server there is HOPE, TLS and more.
Iris
Instant messenger compatible with Macintosh System 7.x and perhaps Microsoft Windows NT/9x - still in the planning stages / early development.
Nyx
Instant messenger compatible with modern systems. Almost functional, early development.
The extensions (and more) are available at GitHub, and yes - I use AI to assist with processing documentation. And no, I don't care about how butthurt / annoyed some would be over this.
Client - Hermes
Currently realeased as an Alpha, this to showcase some of the features a modern client could implement.
Most features are listed on the website.
Server - Janus
Most features are listed on the website.
Tracker - Argus
Most features are listed on the website.
And to showcase a bit of the API (as well as Mnemosyne, a content indexing service), there is Agora. It lists tracked servers and offers searching content.
Leaving this post short and concise, mostly to spark a bit of interest, exploration, hopefully testing and perhaps a bit of feedback.
Bonus (Update 2026-07-06)
I have created several extensions for the Hotline protocol, which to some degree has been adapter by other developers. Therefore, another extension is being developed which introduces two more clients with a different approach.
IM Protocol Extension:
With the Hotline protocol, a lot of the necessary moving parts are already given for free, which essentially makes the IM extension somewhat breezy to implement. One could potentially create a hybrid client (hotline functionality + messenger) or like me, to showcase the possibility by creating pure instant messenger clients.
The protocol extension itself is still in early / mid phase of development and has potential for growth. (server linking etc, no need to rely on a single server - one account, many servers), and with whats already available in the Hotline server there is HOPE, TLS and more.
Iris
Instant messenger compatible with Macintosh System 7.x and perhaps Microsoft Windows NT/9x - still in the planning stages / early development.
Nyx
Instant messenger compatible with modern systems. Almost functional, early development.
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