Frequently asked questions
What works in the alpha today?
The desktop app currently runs a local workspace with your profile and settings, a live theme engine, and a local-only chat client: channels and messages you can compose, edit, delete, and search - all stored on your machine. Networking, voice, and communities are on the roadmap.
Is LynxDock written in Rust?
The core is. The desktop app is built on Tauri - a Rust core with a web front-end - and the protocol's wire types are authored in Rust and generated to TypeScript. A future server will be Rust too.
Do I need an account or the cloud to use it?
No. The app is local-first: there's no account to create and nothing is sent to us. Telemetry is off by default, and the app shows a visible privacy status so you can confirm it.
Do I have to self-host to use LynxDock?
No. A Quick Call is a temporary peer-to-peer room that needs no server at all. Self-hosting is for when you want a persistent community with accounts, history, and admin controls that you fully own.
Is it really private?
Yes. LynxDock runs no advertising, sells no data, and does no cross-site tracking. When you self-host, your community's messages, accounts, and files live on infrastructure you control - LynxDock LLC has no access to them.
How is this different from the big chat platforms?
LynxDock is lightweight, privacy-first, and self-hostable. The difference is ownership and incentives: no engagement-maximizing design, no lock-in, and your data stays with the server you choose.
Who is LynxDock for?
Creators, gamers, developers, and self-hosted communities - anyone who wants fast, quiet communication tools they can trust and own.
Is it hard to set up a server?
No. The Guided Server Setup wizard creates a real config with safe defaults, no config files or terminal commands required. See the self-hosting guide for a full walkthrough.
Is LynxDock built in the open?
Yes. Development happens in the open on the LynxDock GitHub organization, and each product's license is published with its repository.
When can I use it?
LynxDock is early, and early access is opening in phases. Follow the roadmap or register interest to be notified as builds become available.
Still have a question? Reach out via the support page or the LynxDock GitHub organization.