# Tesseras - Decentralized Communication Infrastructure
*[Português (Brasil)](README_PT.md)*
[](https://builds.sr.ht/~microbio/tesseras?)
## Vision
Tesseras is a modern evolution of the TeleHash protocol, implementing a
next-generation decentralized communication infrastructure that combines
simplicity with cutting-edge technologies. Named after Roman tesserae - the
individual pieces that form intricate mosaics - Tesseras enables individual
nodes to connect and create beautiful, resilient distributed networks.
Our mission is to provide a self-organizing network that works both online
and offline, with a focus on IoT devices, edge computing, and absolute
privacy without compromising performance or usability.
## Key Features
**Modern Architecture**
- Built with Rust for memory safety and performance
- QUIC-based networking for reduced latency and improved reliability
- Post-quantum cryptography preparation for future-proof security
- Adaptive distributed hash table with automatic sharding
**Network Capabilities**
- Automatic NAT traversal using STUN/TURN/ICE protocols
- Mesh networking with intelligent routing and failover
- Local peer discovery and bootstrap node mechanisms
- Quality of Service (QoS) management based on network conditions
**Privacy & Security**
- Forward secrecy with automatic key rotation
- Optional onion routing for enhanced anonymity
- Zero-knowledge proofs for authentication
- Comprehensive cryptographic audit trail
**IoT & Edge Computing**
- Ultra-lightweight protocol for resource-constrained devices
- Energy-aware routing algorithms for battery-powered nodes
- Distributed container orchestration for edge computing
- Seamless online/offline operation capabilities
## Technical Overview
Tesseras implements a distributed hash table (DHT) that automatically
organizes nodes into an efficient overlay network. Unlike traditional
peer-to-peer systems, Tesseras prioritizes real-time communication while
maintaining decentralization and privacy.
The protocol uses QUIC as its transport layer, providing built-in
encryption, multiplexing, and connection migration. This enables
significantly better performance compared to TCP-based P2P protocols,
especially in mobile and unstable network environments.
## Repository Structure
```
tesseras/
└── crates/
├── tesseras/ # Core protocol implementation
├── tesseras_crypto/ # Cryptography utilities
├── tesseras_network/ # Network layer (QUIC, NAT traversal)
├── tesseras_dht/ # Distributed Hash Table
├── tesseras_cli/ # Command line interface
└── tesseras_node/ # Node implementation
```
## Quick Start
**Requirements:**
- Rust 1.85+ with Cargo
- Network access for peer discovery
**Installation:**
```bash
git clone https://git.sr.ht/~microbio/tesseras
cd tesseras
cargo build --release
```
**Basic Usage:**
```bash
# Start a node
./target/release/tesseras-cli node start
# Connect to network
./target/release/tesseras-cli peer connect <node-address>
# Send a message
./target/release/tesseras-cli message send "Hello, distributed world!"
```
## Development Status
Tesseras is currently in early development (Phase 1: Foundation). The
project follows a structured roadmap with clear milestones:
- **Phase 1 (Months 1-8)**: Core protocol and networking layer
- **Phase 2 (Months 9-14)**: Base applications and developer tools
- **Phase 3 (Months 15-22)**: IoT framework and edge computing
- **Phase 4 (Months 23+)**: Global scalability and optimization
Current focus is on implementing the core DHT, QUIC networking, and
basic node-to-node communication.
## Contributing
Tesseras follows traditional open source development practices via email:
1. Subscribe to the mailing list: ~microbio/tesseras-devel@lists.sr.ht
2. Discuss ideas and report issues on the mailing list
3. Submit patches using `git send-email`
4. Follow project coding standards and Unix philosophy
See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for detailed guidelines.
## Use Cases
**Messaging & Communication**
- Decentralized chat applications without central servers
- Voice and video calls using WebRTC integration
- Secure file sharing between trusted parties
**IoT & Home Automation**
- Device-to-device communication without internet dependency
- Sensor networks with automatic data aggregation
- Smart home systems with enhanced privacy
**Edge Computing**
- Distributed processing across local network nodes
- Content delivery without traditional CDN infrastructure
- Collaborative computing for resource-intensive tasks
**Privacy-Focused Applications**
- Anonymous communication networks
- Censorship-resistant information sharing
- Location-independent service access
## Comparison with Existing Solutions
**vs. Original TeleHash**
- 10x better performance through QUIC protocol
- Post-quantum cryptography for future security
- Enhanced scalability supporting millions of nodes
- Modern development tools and comprehensive documentation
**vs. IPFS/libp2p**
- Lower latency optimized for real-time communication
- Simpler deployment and configuration process
- Built-in privacy features and anonymity options
- Specialized optimizations for IoT and edge devices
**vs. Blockchain Networks**
- No energy-intensive proof-of-work mechanisms
- Real-time message delivery instead of block-based processing
- Zero transaction fees for basic operations
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly design
## Security Considerations
Tesseras implements multiple layers of security:
- **Transport Security**: All communication encrypted via QUIC/TLS 1.3
- **Identity Verification**: Public key cryptography for node authentication
- **Message Integrity**: Cryptographic signatures prevent tampering
- **Forward Secrecy**: Regular key rotation limits exposure window
- **Privacy Protection**: Optional onion routing hides communication metadata
Regular security audits and responsible disclosure processes ensure
continuous improvement of the protocol's security posture.
## License
Licensed under an OpenBSD-ISC-style license.
Copyright (c) 2025 murilo ijanc' <mbsd@m0x.ru>
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
See [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for complete terms.
## Community & Support
- **Mailing List**: ~microbio/tesseras-devel@lists.sr.ht
- **Website**: https://tesseras.net
- **Repository**: https://git.sr.ht/~microbio/tesseras
- **Project**: https://sr.ht/~microbio/tesseras
- **IRC**: #tesseras on libera.chat (planned)