Come chat with us
Hey, neighbor — pull up a chair. Whether you're Matrix-curious or already running your own homeserver, you're welcome in our spaces. You do not need a SeattleMatrix-specific account to hang out with us. A free account from matrix.org (or any other Matrix homeserver) works perfectly.
- Sign up for a free account at app.element.io (matrix.org is the default homeserver — leave it alone).
- Click this link to join our community space: #Space:seattlematrix.org
- Say hi.
The friendly walkthrough
If you'd rather take it step by step, here's the longer version. We'll get you set up with Element, the most popular Matrix client. (Prefer something else? Other clients are below — they all work fine.)
1 Pick how you want to use Element
-
Web — Easiest. No install, just open it in your browser.
app.element.io
-
Desktop — Mac, Windows, or Linux app. Best for daily use.
element.io/download
-
Mobile — iOS or Android. Search the app stores for Element Messenger.
element.io/download
2 Create your free matrix.org account
- Open Element and click Create Account.
- The default homeserver is matrix.org — that's perfect. Leave it as-is.
- Pick a username and password. Add an email if you want password recovery (recommended).
- When Element offers to set up a Security Key or Recovery Key, do it and stash it somewhere safe. It's how you recover encrypted messages if you ever sign out or switch devices.
Your handle will look like
@yourname:matrix.org — think of it like an email address. You can use it to chat with anyone on any Matrix server, including ours. Folks won't see whether you're on matrix.org or seattlematrix.org — same network, same rooms.
3 Join the Seattle Matrix Space
Click this link from any Matrix client to open our community space:
Or, from inside Element:
- Click the + next to "Spaces" in the left sidebar.
- Choose Join an existing space.
- Paste
#Space:seattlematrix.organd hit join.
Once you're in, you'll see a tree of rooms — pick whichever ones look interesting. You can lurk as long as you like.
Not into Element? Try one of these
Element is the gentlest on-ramp, but Matrix is a network — pick whichever client fits your style. Sign up the same way (matrix.org is fine), then log in.
-
Cinny — Clean, modern, web-based. A great Element alternative.
cinny.in
-
SchildiChat — An Element fork with extra power-user features.
schildi.chat
-
FluffyChat — Friendly, colorful, mobile-first. Easy on newcomers.
fluffychat.im
-
Nheko — Lightweight native desktop client. Fast and minimal.
nheko-reborn.github.io
-
The full list — Dozens more clients across every platform.
matrix.org/ecosystem/clients
What to expect once you're in
- Be kind. We're a volunteer-run, community-supported group. Treat folks the way you'd want to be treated at a coffee shop in Fremont.
- Lurking is fine. Read for a while, jump in when you're ready.
- Threads, reactions, replies, edits — they all work. Use whichever feels right.
- Voice and video work too. We host our own Jitsi at meet.seattlematrix.org.
- End-to-end encryption is on by default in private rooms. That's why the Security Key in Step 2 matters.
Stuck? We can help
Email contact@seattlematrix.org and we'll walk you through it. Once you're online, you can also drop into the team channel: #seattlematrix:seattlematrix.org.