Frequently asked questions

What is Sockethub?

Sockethub is an open-source protocol gateway that lets web applications talk to multiple services through an ActivityStreams 2.0 API. It runs as a server between your app and those services.

Which protocols and services does Sockethub support?

Sockethub supports IRC and XMPP chat, RSS and Atom feeds, CalDAV calendars and tasks, CardDAV contacts, and metadata extraction for link previews. You can also build custom platforms. See the platforms guide for details.

How does Sockethub compare with using each protocol's client directly?

A direct client talks to one service using that protocol's own library and connection requirements. Sockethub runs the protocol connections on a gateway and gives your app a shared message format and API. This is useful for browser apps and apps combining services, but adds a server and Redis to operate and still requires credentials and protocol-specific configuration.

How do I self-host Sockethub?

Run Sockethub with Redis using npm, Docker Compose, or the source checkout. The get-started guide covers the prerequisites, commands, and a client example.