Desktop-first Matrix client forked from nheko, engine-swapped to matrix-rust-sdk, built by etke.cc with heavy AI-assisted development.
Key Takeaways
Replaced nheko’s mtxclient/libolm/LMDB stack with matrix-rust-sdk and vodozemac; migration took days via Codex but caused weeks of regressions.
Progressively shifting C++ surface to Rust: linkify, blurhash, syntect, YAML parsing, and server discovery via Continuwuity’s resolvematrix crate.
Ships browser-style room tabs, 10+ WCAG AA themes (Catppuccin, Dracula, Nord, Tokyo Night), voice transcription via OpenAI-compatible endpoints, MCP automation hooks, and multi-account profiles.
Linux-only (x86_64) for now; available as AppImage, Flatpak, Snap, and AUR package.
Fully GPL-3.0, no CLA; etke.cc is the Matrix hosting company behind matrix-docker-ansible-deploy.
Hacker News Comment Review
Early reaction focuses on aesthetics: the sole comment calls it “very ugly compared to other matrix clients,” suggesting UI polish is an immediate barrier to adoption despite the technical depth underneath.
