Get Started using KB-Chat

Get up and running in just a few minutes!

KB-Chat is an end-to-end encrypted secure messenger and collaboration app. Talk to friends, family and colleagues through the open and decentralised Matrix network.

The guide includes:

Onboarding

If you are a new user click Create Account to register.

Select where to host your account by choosing a “homeserver”. You can use the custom server options to sign into other Matrix servers by specifying a homeserver URL. This allows you to use KB-Chat with an existing Matrix account on a different homeserver.

From here, please enter a username, password and email address and click Register.

An email will be sent to your inbox to verify your email address, please follow the steps in the email to complete your registration.

Now you can login
Enter your email or username and password then click sign in / log in. From here you will be taken to Home, where you can start exploring!

Secure backup

Secure backup is an important safeguarding step to take, to ensure you never lose access to your encrypted messages and data.

When setting up your account, a message will appear which prompts you to do so. If you missed the prompt you can set this up from within your security and privacy settings

Click continue to start this process.

Choose a memorable security passphrase or security key (for file store).

This will create an encrypted backup on your server that only you can decrypt.

The next time you login on a new device or session, simply enter the passphrase or key to verify your session and you’ll have access to all of your data.

Device verification

Device verification is optional and allows you to verify who you’re talking to.

Verify an additional device

To add your additional device please log into the KB-Chat app. You will be asked to verify this login on your existing device. This is an important step as it’ll allow other people to see that the new login is really you.

A green shield will show once the process is complete.

The left panel.

Organise your chats into spaces, people, rooms and favourites.

Your profile

Update settings such as your display name, profile picture, Language and password. Here is also where you manage notifications, security and privacy, and general settings about your account.

Access settings by clicking on your profile picture (Avatar) at the top left; from there select “All settings” and then “General”.

Here you can update settings such as your display name, profile picture, language and password. You can also manage notifications, security and privacy, and general settings about your account.

Avatars are selected on the “General” tab. This is what will show as your display picture to other users. When you hover over the circle, the word upload will show. Click this and you will be taken to your system’s files where you can select a file you want to upload.

Display Names are added or updated in the “General” tab, type your desired name into the box and click save.

Contact Details are added or removed on the “General” tab. Email addresses and phone numbers are optional, but allow you to reset your account or recover a forgotten password.

Language preference can be selected using the drop down menu.

Spaces

Organise groups of people and rooms together by using Spaces. A selected space will only show the list of rooms and people that are part of it.

From here you can create either a public or private space. Once your space is created you can invite people to join it and create new or add already existing rooms. Cater the space to your specific wants and needs.

Search bar

Find people and rooms who are already part of your lists.

Rooms

This is where group discussions take place. Naming conventions help conversations be focused on a specific topic, and aid discoverability.

When searching for a room, make sure to select the right server for it to be discoverable. You can only join a private room by receiving and accepting an invite.

Find a public room

Create a room

Leave a room

Notifications

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