Rigel is a minimalist, self-hosted chat platform designed to give you complete ownership over your communications.
By combining a familiar user experience with a lightweight architecture, Rigel offers a private, fast, and independent space for communities.
No tracking, no complex overhead. Just your data, hosted on your terms.
- Self-Hostable: Your own server, your own data.
- Easy to Deploy: Rigel provides ready-to-use automated scripts to make installing your ecosystem effortless.
- Discord-Compatible API: Don't lose your favorite tools. Rigel is designed to be compatible with the Discord API, allowing you to easily port your existing bots and integrations.
- Minimalist: Zero bloat, no ads, and no tracking. Just pure, uninterrupted communication.
- Open Source: Built by the community, for the community.
| Repo name | Brief description |
|---|---|
| Server | All-in-One Rigel server: REST API + Gateway + CDN |
| Client | Rigel web client compatible with: Rigel-server, Spacebar, Fluxer, Discord |
| rigel.js | JavaScript library based on discord.js to seamlessly interact with the Rigel API |
| Branding | Brand assets: logos + typography |
The project originally began under the name Oxicord.
At first, it was just a fun experiment-a way to learn and see if I could build a functional chat platform from scratch.
However, as the prototype evolved, so did the vision. I realized that this "toy project" had the potential to become a robust, serious alternative for communities seeking independence.
That's when I decided to rebrand and drop the "cord" suffix.
In 2026, I started learning Rust to rewrite the server from scratch (which was previously built in Node.js). This transition ensures ultimate performance, safety, and scalability for the future of the platform.
- Rigel (The project): Named after the brightest star in the Orion constellation. It is a blue supergiant-powerful, luminous, and visible from everywhere. It symbolizes our goal to be a fast and brilliant alternative in the chat ecosystem.
- Leo (The Mascot): I named our astronaut lion (our big cat) Leo. While Rigel is our star, Leo (the Lion constellation) represents the feline spirit of independence and agility.