Hi HN! SignalSync is an experiment where I extend Signal Desktop with collaborative text editing support. It works by shipping CRDT updates (Automerge / Yjs) over the chat transport (and thus benefit from Signal identity, e2ee, security, privacy, contacts, etc.). These experiments are a fun way for me to play with new technologies and see how they can be applied in unconventional ways. I'm quite intrigued by the potential of sharing (CRDT) state updates over data-agnostic transports (earlier open sourced yjs updates over Matrix / Nostr)[1]. In this case, we immediately get the benefit of Signal contact management, privacy and e2ee security, without any changes needed to the Signal backend. This works because with CRDT-based document editing, conflicts are merged on the client side - and you don't need a central authority to merge updates or peek at your data. |