In the world of modern chat apps filled with heavy features and cloud logins, Kath takes a refreshing step back. It’s lightweight, ephemeral, and self-hosted — giving you total control while bringing a dose of retro charm.
The twist? Kath lets you see what the other person is typing in real time, even before they send the message. It’s like chatting in the 90s, but with a quirky modern upgrade.
Why Kath?
- Ephemeral Chats – Conversations disappear once closed — nothing stored.
- Live Typing Visibility – Watch messages appear as your friends type.
- Retro-Style Interface – Nostalgic design, simple, fast, and fun.
- Self-Hosted – No third-party services or data mining — you own it all.
- Lightweight & Fast – Runs smoothly with minimal resources.
Kath is perfect for quick throwaway chats, small team rooms, or just reliving the retro internet vibe with friends.
How It Works
- Spin Up with Docker
Deploy Kath in seconds with Docker and manage it from Portainer. - Secure with Nginx Proxy Manager
Add SSL and configure your subdomain for private, encrypted chats. - Start Chatting
Invite your friends, type away, and watch the conversations flow — nothing gets saved.
Resources to Get Started
Watch the Full Walkthrough
In my latest video, I’ll take you through:
- Exploring Kath’s retro-style interface
- Installing it with Docker
- Managing it in Portainer
- Securing it with Nginx Proxy Manager
