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wtf is client?

marclave/client — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-17 · repo last pushed 2017-09-20

★ 1GoAudience · developerComplexity · 5/5DormantSetup · hard

TL;DR

The full source code for Keybase, a secure messaging and file-sharing app, covering its iOS, Android, desktop, and command-line clients.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Secure encrypted messaging
      File sharing
      Cross device identity
    Tech stack
      Go
      React Native
      Electron
    Use cases
      Study secure messaging code
      Build a Keybase client
      Contribute bug fixes
    Audience
      Developers
      Security researchers
    Platforms
      iOS and Android
      macOS Windows Linux
      Command line tool
    Setup
      Download official release
      Or build from source

Code map

Detail Auto

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filefunction / class

Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Download and run the official Keybase app to send encrypted messages and share files securely.

REASON 2

Study the source code to learn how a real-world encryption and secure messaging system is built.

REASON 3

Build or modify a client for a specific platform using the shared cross-platform codebase.

REASON 4

Contribute bug fixes or improvements through GitHub issues and pull requests.

What's in the stack?

GoReact NativeElectron

How it stacks up

marclave/clientaegrail/aegrail-engineaeneasr/form
Stars111
LanguageGoGoGo
Last pushed2017-09-20—2019-03-08
MaintenanceDormant—Dormant
Setup difficultyhardhardeasy
Complexity5/55/52/5
Audiencedeveloperops devopsdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1day+

README warns building from source may not work reliably, regular users should use official releases instead.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Explain how the Go cryptographic core in this repo handles encrypted messaging.
Prompt 2
Walk me through how the React Native mobile app shares code with the Electron desktop app.
Prompt 3
Help me set up a local build of this Keybase client from source.
Prompt 4
What does the communications protocol layer do and how do the clients talk to Keybase's servers?

Frequently asked questions

wtf is client?

The full source code for Keybase, a secure messaging and file-sharing app, covering its iOS, Android, desktop, and command-line clients.

What language is client written in?

Mainly Go. The stack also includes Go, React Native, Electron.

Is client actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2017-09-20).

How hard is client to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1day+ to a first successful run.

Who is client for?

Mainly developer.

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