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Send 1:1 messages with the Logos Chat app

Try out end-to-end encrypted private messaging over the Logos network.​

This procedure shows how to use the Logos Chat app to exchange encrypted 1:1 messages between two running instances. The app is a QML and C++ UI built on top of the logos-chat-module, which wraps the Logos Chat SDK. It demonstrates the basic private-messaging capabilities of the Logos Chat Module: ephemeral identity, intro-bundle handshake, and encrypted messaging with no central server. Use this procedure to verify the setup works or to explore the messaging flow for development purposes.

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Identity, conversations, and message history exist only while the app is running. Restarting an instance gives it a new identity and clears all conversations.

You need the following to complete this procedure:

  • Linux or macOS
  • Network access so both instances can reach each other
  • Two running instances of the app — on two separate machines, or in two terminals on the same machine

What to expect​

  • You can run the Logos Chat app without building from source by installing it through Logos Basecamp.
  • You can exchange encrypted messages between two instances in real time after completing the intro-bundle handshake.
  • You can verify delivery by confirming each message appears on the receiving instance within a few seconds.

Step 1: Run the Logos Chat app​

You need two running instances to complete this procedure. Each instance can use either of the options below independently.

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When using Nix, all build dependencies — including Qt6, logos-chat-module, and liblogoschat — are fetched automatically.

Option A — Run in Logos Basecamp​

  1. Download and install the latest release of Logos Basecamp from github.com/logos-co/logos-basecamp/releases.

  2. In the left bar, select Package Manager.

    Logos Basecamp screenshot

  3. Select logos-chat-module and logos-chat-ui, then click Install.

    Logos Basecamp package installation screenshot

  4. Wait until a green Installed label appears next to both modules.

  5. In the left bar, select chat to launch the Logos Chat app.

Option B — Build and run locally with Nix​

  1. Clone the repository and check out the target release:

    git clone https://github.com/logos-co/logos-chatsdk-ui
    cd logos-chatsdk-ui
    git checkout v0.1.0

  2. Run the standalone app:

    # Nix fetches all dependencies automatically
    nix run

Step 2: Exchange intro bundles​

The app auto-initialises on launch and displays your identity ID in the bottom status bar. Perform the steps below on both instances — referred to here as A and B.

Logos Chat App UI screenshot

On instance A:

  1. Click Get Intro Bundle, then click Copy to Clipboard.

    The bundle is a string starting with logos_chatintro….

  2. Send the copied bundle to instance B through any out-of-band channel.

  3. Close the My Bundle popup.

On instance B:

  1. Click + new.
  2. Paste A's intro bundle into the dialogue, then type an intro message (default: Hello!).
  3. Confirm. A new conversation appears in B's conversation list.

Back on instance A:

  1. Confirm the new conversation appears automatically in A's conversation list, then select it.
  2. Verify that B's intro message is visible in the chat panel.

Step 3: Send and receive messages​

  1. Select the shared conversation in either instance.

  2. Type a message in the message input field, then press Enter or click >>.

    Your messages appear right-aligned in the chat panel; the counterparty's messages appear left-aligned, each with a timestamp.

  3. From instance A, send a message and observe instance B.

    Expected result: the exact message text appears as an incoming (left-aligned) bubble in B's chat panel within a few seconds. A reply from B appears as an incoming bubble in A.

Troubleshooting Logos Chat​

Messages never arrive and the left panel shows "Waiting for connection…"​

Both instances need to reach a shared bootstrap peer to connect to the peer-to-peer network and discover each other. Ensure that both instances have a stable internet connection for peer discovery.

A previously open conversation has disappeared​

Conversations are ephemeral and are not persisted between sessions. Re-exchange intro bundles between the two instances to open a new conversation.