# gomuks

> terminal-based Matrix client

**Wikidata**: [Q104696560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104696560)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gomuks

## Summary
Gomuks is a terminal-based Matrix client written in Go. It is free software licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.

## Key Facts
- Gomuks is a terminal-based Matrix client, meaning it operates entirely within a command-line interface
- It is written in Go, a programming language developed by Google and the open-source community
- The software is free and open-source, licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0+
- Gomuks runs on Unix-like operating systems and Microsoft Windows
- The first stable release (0.1.0) was published on May 10, 2020
- The latest stable version is 0.3.1, released on July 16, 2024
- Gomuks is available in multiple package formats including Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and Arch Linux AUR

## FAQs
### Q: What is gomuks?
A: Gomuks is a terminal-based Matrix client that allows users to communicate on the Matrix decentralized communication network through a command-line interface. It's written in Go and is free software.

### Q: What platforms does gomuks support?
A: Gomuks runs on Unix-like operating systems (such as Linux and macOS) and Microsoft Windows, making it accessible across major desktop platforms.

### Q: Is gomuks free to use?
A: Yes, gomuks is free software licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later, which means users can freely use, modify, and distribute it.

## Why It Matters
Gomuks matters because it provides a lightweight, terminal-based alternative for accessing the Matrix decentralized communication network. In an era where many communication tools are resource-heavy and GUI-dependent, gomuks offers a minimal, keyboard-driven experience that appeals to developers, system administrators, and users who prefer command-line interfaces. Its existence demonstrates the versatility of the Matrix protocol by supporting diverse client implementations across different interface paradigms. For users working in remote terminal sessions, on minimal systems, or who simply prefer the efficiency of text-based interfaces, gomuks fills an important niche. The project also showcases the capabilities of Go for building cross-platform network applications, contributing to the broader ecosystem of open-source Matrix clients.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few terminal-based Matrix clients available, offering a unique command-line interface experience
- Written entirely in Go, demonstrating the language's suitability for network client development
- Maintaining a consistent release schedule with regular updates since its initial release in 2020
- Supporting both Unix-like systems and Windows, providing cross-platform terminal access to Matrix
- Being free software under the AGPLv3+ license, ensuring user freedom and community contribution

## Body
### Development and History
Gomuks was created as a terminal-based Matrix client to provide users with a command-line interface for the Matrix decentralized communication protocol. The project began development in Go, a statically typed, compiled programming language known for its simplicity and efficiency in network applications. The first public release, version 0.1.0, was published on May 10, 2020, marking the beginning of the project's active development cycle.

### Technical Implementation
As a Go-based application, gomuks leverages the language's built-in concurrency features and strong standard library for network programming. The choice of Go allows for efficient handling of Matrix's real-time messaging protocols while maintaining cross-platform compatibility. The terminal-based interface means the application runs entirely within command-line environments, making it suitable for remote server access, minimal system installations, and users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows.

### Licensing and Distribution
Gomuks is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later (AGPLv3+), a copyleft license that ensures the software remains free and open-source. This licensing model requires that any modifications or derivative works also be made available under the same license, particularly when the software is run over a network. The project is hosted on GitHub, with source code available for public inspection and contribution.

### Platform Support and Availability
The software supports both Unix-like operating systems (including Linux distributions and macOS) and Microsoft Windows, making it accessible across major desktop platforms. Gomuks is packaged for various distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and is available through the Arch User Repository (AUR) in multiple variants (standard, git, and binary packages). This wide distribution ensures users can easily install gomuks through their system's package manager.

### Version History and Development
Since its initial release in 2020, gomuks has maintained a steady development pace with multiple version releases. The project has progressed through versions 0.1.0 through 0.3.1, with the latest stable release (0.3.1) published on July 16, 2024. Each release has included improvements, bug fixes, and new features, demonstrating active maintenance and community engagement. The development timeline shows consistent updates approximately every few months, indicating a healthy and ongoing project lifecycle.

## References

1. [Source](https://matrix.org/docs/projects/client/gomuks)
2. [Release 0.1.0. 2020](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
3. [Release 0.1.1. 2020](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.1.1)
4. [Release 0.1.2. 2020](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.1.2)
5. [Release 0.2.0. 2020](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
6. [Release 0.2.1. 2020](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
7. [Release 0.2.2. 2021](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2.2)
8. [Release 0.2.3. 2021](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2.3)
9. [Release v0.2.4](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2.4)
10. [Release 0.3.0. 2022](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
11. [Release 0.3.1. 2024](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.3.1)
12. [Release 25.11. 2025](https://github.com/gomuks/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2511.0)
13. [Release 25.12. 2025](https://github.com/gomuks/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2512.0)
14. [Release 26.01. 2026](https://github.com/gomuks/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2601.0)
15. [Release 26.02. 2026](https://github.com/gomuks/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2602.0)
16. [Release 26.03. 2026](https://github.com/gomuks/gomuks/releases/tag/v0.2603.0)
17. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/tulir/gomuks)