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iroh is a modular networking stack written in Rust. It provides the building blocks to create applications that can communicate using fast, cheap, and reliable connections.

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Core features

  • Fast: iroh enables direct connections between devices, allowing them to communicate without relying on centralized servers.
  • Reliable: iroh is designed to work in challenging network conditions. It uses relay servers as a fallback when direct connections are not possible.
  • Secure: All connections established through iroh are authenticated and encrypted end-to-end using the QUIC protocol, ensuring data privacy and integrity.
  • Modular: iroh is built around a system of composable protocols that can be mixed and matched to suit the needs of different applications. This allows developers to easily add functionality such as file sharing, messaging, and real-time collaboration.

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Use cases

  • Local-first, offline-first, peer-to-peer applications: iroh provides the networking foundation for building applications that can operate without reliance on servers.
  • Files & blobs: With protocols like iroh-blobs, iroh enables efficient file transfer.
  • Structured data: iroh’s support for flexible data protocols like KV CRDTs and Automerge allows developers to build applications that support real-time collaborative editing and data synchronization. Any kind of CRDT or OT sync protocol can be integrated.
  • Real-time communication: Build chat applications, RPC services, and streaming data with iroh’s communication protocols.

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Getting started

To get started with iroh, check out the quickstart guide or explore the protocols documentation to see what protocols are available and how to use them in your applications. Read the how it works documentation to understand the underlying principles and architecture of iroh.