Private team channels
Create public and private channels for your team, clients or projects. Threaded conversations, reactions, edits, read receipts and typing indicators — everything you expect from modern chat.
Applications → Matrix + Element
Private team chat, on your own server.
Matrix is an open-standard, decentralised communication protocol. Synapse is the reference server implementation, and Element Web is the flagship client. Together they give you private team chat — channels, direct messages, file sharing, voice and video calls — on your own ReefOffice server, connected to the wider Matrix ecosystem.
What Matrix and Element do
Matrix is an open standard for decentralised, real-time communication. ReefOffice runs Synapse (the reference Matrix server) with Element Web (the flagship client). Your team gets private channels, direct messages, file sharing, end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, integrations with bridges to other platforms (Slack, Telegram, IRC), and the ability to federate with other Matrix servers — all on your own server, with Authentik SSO.
Why Matrix on ReefOffice
End-to-end encryption
Messages in private rooms are end-to-end encrypted by default. Only participants can read them — not ReefOffice, not your hosting provider, not anyone. Cross-signed device verification ensures trust.
Voice and video calls
Native one-to-one and group voice/video calls through Element Web. Powered by Matrix's native WebRTC integration — no third-party service required.
Federation
Connect to the wider Matrix ecosystem. Your team can chat with users on other Matrix servers (matrix.org, etc.) while keeping your own data on your ReefOffice server. Federation can be disabled for fully isolated communication.
Technical detail
How it works
Matrix Synapse is a Python server running as a native NixOS systemd service with PostgreSQL backend and jemalloc memory allocator. Element Web is a static SPA served by nginx. Well-known delegation is configured on the apex domain so Matrix clients can auto-discover the server. OIDC SSO is configured directly on Synapse, not through an external proxy.
How it fits your stack
Matrix integrates with your ReefOffice stack through Authentik SSO for team access. Element Web can be accessed from any browser or the Element mobile/desktop apps. Bridge bots can connect Matrix channels to Activepieces workflows, Nextcloud notifications, Dolibarr events, and Hermes agent notifications or commands.
Frequently asked questions
Can I chat with people outside my ReefOffice server? +
Yes — federation is enabled by default. Your team can join rooms on other Matrix servers (matrix.org and others) and invite external users to your rooms. If you need fully isolated communication, federation can be disabled while keeping all other features.
Can I use the Element mobile app? +
Yes. Element has native mobile apps for iOS and Android. Point the app at your ReefOffice Matrix server URL, authenticate through SSO, and your entire chat history is available on mobile with end-to-end encryption.
How is this different from Slack or Discord? +
Matrix is open-source, decentralised and end-to-end encrypted by default. Your data stays on your ReefOffice server — it is never stored on a US-based cloud platform. You own your communication infrastructure entirely. Federation also means you are not locked into a single provider's network.
Ready for private team chat?
Book a demo and see how Matrix + Element on ReefOffice gives your team private, encrypted chat on your own server.