Harbor
Harbor user guide

Your first private conversation

This guide is for anyone using Harbor for the first time. You do not need to understand peer-to-peer networking or cryptography. Plan for about ten minutes, plus a friend who can install Harbor on another device.

What you will accomplish: install Harbor, create a local identity, connect to the network, add one trusted contact, send a message, and make a test call.

Before you begin

No account recovery: Harbor stores your identity on your device. If you lose both your passphrase and your exported identity backup, nobody can restore it for you.

1. Install Harbor

  1. Open the Harbor download section.
  2. Choose the package matching your operating system.
  3. Open the downloaded installer or application package.
  4. If your operating system displays a beta-app warning, confirm that the file came from the official Harbor GitHub release before continuing.
Screenshot needed: 01-download-page.pngBrowser showing the Harbor download section with the correct platform button highlighted.
Choose the package for your computer. Do not download Harbor from third-party mirrors.

2. Create your identity

  1. Open Harbor and choose to create a new identity.
  2. Enter the display name your contacts should see.
  3. Add a bio if you want. You can change it later.
  4. Create a strong passphrase with at least eight characters.
  5. Confirm the passphrase and finish creating the identity.
Screenshot needed: 02-create-identity.pngFresh first-launch identity form with example values and no real private information.
Your display name is shared. Your passphrase protects private keys stored on this device.
Never screenshot: passphrases, identity backup contents, private keys, TURN credentials, or complete diagnostic logs containing personal data.

3. Connect to the network

  1. Open Network from the sidebar.
  2. Select Start Network.
  3. Wait for the status to show that networking is active.
  4. If you are testing at home, keep both Harbor devices on the same LAN for automatic discovery.
Screenshot needed: 03-network-connected.pngNetwork page after Start Network, including the active status and community relay state.
Harbor must be running and connected before it can create a usable contact link.

4. Add a trusted contact

Share your link

  1. On the Network page, select Share My Contact Link.
  2. Send the copied link through a channel where you already know the recipient.
  3. Ask the recipient to open the link and choose Open in Harbor.
  4. Review the displayed name and peer information before accepting.
Screenshot needed: 04-share-contact-link.pngNetwork page focused on Share My Contact Link and its success confirmation.
A contact link contains public identity and reachable-address information. It does not contain your passphrase or private key.
Screenshot needed: 05-accept-contact.pngAdd-contact handoff and Harbor confirmation screen using disposable demo identities.
Verify the person through another channel if a contact request is unexpected.

5. Send your first message

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Select your new contact.
  3. Type a short test message and send it.
  4. Ask your contact to reply so both sides confirm the conversation works.
Screenshot needed: 06-first-conversation.pngTwo or three harmless demo messages showing sent and received states.
Conversation history is stored locally on each participant's device.

6. Make a voice or video call

  1. Open the conversation with your contact.
  2. Select the phone or video button.
  3. The recipient accepts the incoming call.
  4. Allow microphone or camera access when the operating system asks.
  5. Confirm both sides reach the connected state, then hang up normally.
Screenshot needed: 07-incoming-call.pngIncoming call screen with disposable contact names.
The recipient can accept or decline every call.
Screenshot needed: 08-connected-group-call.pngConnected group call with three or four disposable participants and no private surroundings.
The current group-call design supports up to four total participants.

7. Use Wall and Feed

  1. Open Wall to create a post.
  2. Choose Public or Contacts only before posting.
  3. Use the preview controls to check what guests and contacts can see.
  4. Open Feed to view posts shared by your contacts.
Screenshot needed: 09-wall-visibility.pngWall composer with the visibility selector open and harmless example content.
Review visibility before posting. Public and contacts-only are different audiences.

8. Protect your identity and privacy

Export a backup

Open Settings, then Security. Export your identity to encrypted storage and keep the backup separate from your computer.

Review permissions

Only grant Chat, Call, or Wall access to people you trust. Remove access when a relationship or device changes.

Understand metadata

Messages and call media are encrypted, but peers and relay operators may observe connection timing, IP addresses, and traffic volume.

Keep Harbor updated

Install signed updates promptly. New releases may include security, reliability, and network compatibility fixes.

Screenshot needed: 10-security-backup.pngSettings, Security section showing backup controls without revealing a backup or credential.
Test that you can locate your backup, but never publish its contents.

Troubleshooting

My contact link does not work

Start networking first, reconnect to the community relay, copy a fresh contact link, and resend it without altering the URL.

We cannot find each other

Confirm both apps show networking as active. Try the same LAN first. If remote peers still cannot connect, capture the Network status without private credentials and report an issue.

Messages work but calls do not

Check operating-system microphone and camera permissions. Calls across strict NAT networks may require a configured TURN service even when Harbor messaging works.

The app is locked

Enter the passphrase for that local identity. Harbor cannot reset a forgotten passphrase. Restore an exported identity only if you have its correct passphrase.

Need deeper help?

Technical users and operators can continue to Harbor for developers. Bugs can be reported through the public issue tracker. Never attach secrets or private conversation content.