Palpo is a next-generation Matrix homeserver implementation written in Rust, designed for high performance, scalability, and robust federation. Built on the Salvo web framework and PostgreSQL database, Palpo delivers enterprise-grade real-time messaging and collaboration while maintaining minimal operational overhead.
Matrix is an open standard for decentralized, real-time communication. It enables:
- End-to-end encrypted messaging - Secure conversations by default
- Federated architecture - No single point of control or failure
- Interoperability - Bridge with other chat platforms (Slack, Discord, IRC, etc.)
- VoIP and Video Calling - Built-in support for voice and video
- Rich messaging - Reactions, threads, file sharing, and more
Learn more at matrix.org
- Built with Rust for memory safety and zero-cost abstractions
- Powered by Salvo web framework for high-throughput async I/O
- PostgreSQL backend for reliable data persistence and ACID compliance
- Optimized for low latency and high concurrency
- Clean, modular codebase
- Well-documented APIs
- Docker-ready deployment
- Minimal memory footprint compared to reference implementations
- Efficient database query patterns
- Smart caching strategies
- Scales horizontally
A common question is how Palpo compares to Tuwunel, another Rust Matrix homeserver. Both are valid choices — they just optimize for different things.
- Database: Palpo uses PostgreSQL as its primary backend, giving you ACID guarantees, mature replication/backup tooling, and standard SQL for inspection. Tuwunel (like Conduit/Conduwuit before it) is built around an embedded RocksDB key-value store. Palpo's choice favors operational familiarity for teams already running Postgres, easier integration with existing monitoring/backup pipelines, and the ability to scale storage independently from the application process.
- Web framework: Palpo is built on Salvo, a modern async Rust web framework with a clean middleware/router model that maps closely to the Matrix Client-Server API.
- Codebase lineage: Palpo started from ideas in Conduit and has been heavily reworked. We are not a fork of Tuwunel and do not carry its codebase — though we gratefully acknowledge architectural insights from that line of work (see Acknowledgments).
- License: Palpo is Apache-2.0 licensed, which some downstream users and distributors find easier to consume than copyleft licenses.
- Complement coverage looks good. At the time of writing, our latest run is 672 pass / 0 fail / 14 skip (see tests/results/test_all.result.jsonl). On the Matrix spec compliance axis, Palpo is in solid shape.
- What we don't have yet is real-world operational data. Palpo has not gone through large-scale production deployments. We don't have battle-tested numbers on long-running federation behavior, performance under sustained load, large room state, or 24/7 stability over weeks and months. Tuwunel is significantly more mature on this dimension, and if you need a homeserver to put into production today, that's an honest reason to pick it over Palpo for now.
- We are actively working on closing this gap. Help testing Palpo in non-critical deployments and reporting back what you see would be hugely valuable.
Palpo passes the Matrix spec tests and offers a Postgres-backed, Salvo-based Rust stack; Tuwunel has the production mileage today. Pick whichever matches your priorities.
Our test server is for evaluation and testing purposes only:
- URL:
https://test.palpo.im ⚠️ All data on this server will be periodically deleted without notice- Do NOT use for production or store important conversations
- Expected to be reset frequently for testing purposes
- Open Cinny
- Click "Edit" on the homeserver selection
- Enter
https://test.palpo.imas your custom homeserver - Create a test account and start chatting!
- Download Element
- On login screen, click "Edit" next to the homeserver
- Enter
https://test.palpo.im - Register or login
Palpo provides the Matrix homeserver and its management APIs. The optional account approval service handles ordinary account signup separately from the homeserver. Hagency fleet, project and Agent workflows are no longer included; see the retirement guide for existing application deployments.
- Rust 1.96 or higher
- PostgreSQL 16 or higher
- Linux, macOS, or Windows (WSL2 recommended)
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/palpo-im/palpo.git
cd palpo
# Build the project
cargo build --release
# Copy example configuration
cp palpo-example.toml palpo.toml
# Edit configuration (set your domain, database credentials, etc.)
nano palpo.toml
# Run the server
./target/release/palpo# Pull the image
docker pull ghcr.io/palpo-im/palpo:latest
# Run with docker-compose
cd deploy/docker
docker-compose up -dSee installation for detailed deployment instructions.
For an existing database, follow the upgrade instructions before starting an upgraded server.
Matrix clients request webpage metadata from Palpo to display inline link cards. URL-preview allowlists are empty by default, so previews require an operator to configure the allowed destinations.
Add the following to your active palpo.toml, or update its existing
[url_preview] section. Replace the example hostnames with the sites you want to
preview:
[url_preview]
domain_explicit_allowlist = ["github.com", "example.org"]Use hostnames without a scheme or path. With the default check_root_domain = false, each hostname is matched exactly; list any desired subdomains separately.
An entry in domain_explicit_denylist takes precedence over the allowlist.
Keep the deployment's outbound network restrictions in place. See
the full configuration example for the other preview options.
For the Docker Compose deployment above, edit deploy/docker/palpo.toml, which is
mounted at /var/palpo/palpo.toml. Confirm the running service uses that file and
check for environment overrides, then restart the Palpo service to apply it:
cd deploy/docker
docker compose restart palpoTo verify, make an authenticated request to
GET /_matrix/client/v1/media/preview_url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fpalpo-im%2Fpalpo
on your homeserver, using an existing Matrix access token in the Authorization: Bearer ... header. A successful response returns HTTP 200 with preview metadata
such as og:title, og:description, and, when available, og:image.
HTTP 403 with M_FORBIDDEN and URL is not allowed to be previewed means the
requested URL failed Palpo's preview policy check. Check the effective allowlist
and denylist before troubleshooting client rendering. Clients may cache a failed
preview, so retry the link after the endpoint works.
We use Complement for comprehensive end-to-end testing against the Matrix specification.
- Test Results: test_all.result.jsonl
- Test Coverage: Continuously improving compliance with Matrix spec
- Federation: Active testing with other homeserver implementations
We welcome contributions of all kinds! Whether you're:
- 🐛 Fixing bugs
- ✨ Adding features
- 📝 Improving documentation
- 🧪 Writing tests
- 🎨 Improving UX
Please read our Contributing Guide to get started.
Palpo stands on the shoulders of giants. We're grateful to these projects:
- Conduit - Pioneering lightweight Matrix homeserver in Rust
- Ruma - Essential Matrix types and protocol implementations
- Tuwunel - Innovative Matrix server architecture insights
- Salvo - High-performance async web framework
- Matrix.org - For creating and maintaining the Matrix protocol
Palpo is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. See LICENSE for details.
- Website: https://palpo.im
- Source Code: https://github.com/palpo-im/palpo
- Issue Tracker: https://github.com/palpo-im/palpo/issues
- Demo Server: https://test.palpo.im
⚠️ Test data will be deleted
The test server at test.palpo.im is for evaluation only.
- All accounts, rooms, and messages may be deleted at any time
- Data is not backed up
- Service may be interrupted for updates
- Do not rely on this server for any important communications
Palpo is under active development. While we strive for stability:
- Always backup your database
- Test updates in a staging environment
- Monitor server logs and performance
Built with ❤️ by the Palpo community