Getting Started
01

Generate your key file

Visit the Sign Up page and click "Download Key File". A unique .key file will be downloaded to your device. This is your identity — treat it like a password.

02

Sign in with your key

On the Sign In page, click the upload area and select your .key file. You'll be authenticated instantly — no password, no email needed.

03

Find someone to talk to

Once signed in, you'll see all online users. Click any user to initiate a private, encrypted peer-to-peer connection.

04

Start chatting

The other user will receive a connection request. Once accepted, your encrypted WebRTC tunnel is live. Send text, files, and images directly.

Your Key File

Your .key file is a 96-byte cryptographic token that acts as your complete identity on Pitopi. It contains a random token and a salt, combined to create a unique SHA-256 fingerprint.

⚠️

Critical: If you lose your key file, you lose access to your account permanently. Pitopi has no recovery mechanism — this is by design. Back up your key file in a safe place.

ℹ️

Your key file must be exactly 96 bytes. Never modify, rename (except the extension), or compress it. Corrupted files will not authenticate.

Messaging
📝

Text messages

Type in the message box and press Enter or click Send. URLs are automatically made clickable. Use Shift+Enter for a new line.

📎

File sharing

Click the attachment icon to share files up to 10MB. Images preview inline. Other files show a download link. All files transfer directly peer-to-peer.

👁️

Typing indicators

Your contact sees "Typing…" when you're composing a message. This is transmitted through the P2P channel — not the server.

Stories

Stories are temporary image posts visible to all online users. They expire automatically after 12 hours and are never stored on disk.

📸

Posting a story

Go to the Stories tab and tap the camera icon. Select an image (max 10MB). It will appear immediately in everyone's story list.

🗑️

Deleting a story

While viewing your own story, tap the delete button. The story is removed immediately for all users. This cannot be undone.

Privacy Controls
🕵️

Hide from user list

In Settings, toggle "Hidden from search" to disappear from the online user list. You can still receive calls from users who have your socket ID.

🖼️

Profile picture

Upload a profile picture from Settings. It's stored with your account and visible to all online users.

🚪

Sign out

Go to Settings → Log Out. Your session ends immediately and you're removed from the online list. Your key file remains on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Pitopi on multiple devices?
Yes. Copy your .key file to any device and sign in. However, you cannot be signed in simultaneously on multiple devices with the same key — the second login will be rejected due to duplicate username detection.
What happens if I lose my key file?
Your account is permanently inaccessible. There is no email recovery, no password reset, and no support ticket that can help. Generate a new key and start fresh.
Are my messages stored anywhere?
No. Pitopi's server only facilitates the WebRTC handshake (signal exchange). Once connected, all data flows directly between peers. The server never sees message content.
Why was I banned from logging in?
After 5 failed authentication attempts from your IP address, access is suspended for 15 minutes as a brute-force protection measure. Wait and try again with the correct key file.
Can I change my username?
Yes, from the account settings (if this feature is enabled). Your username defaults to user_XXXX based on your key hash. Contact your admin or check the settings panel.
Is Pitopi open source?
Yes. The full server and client code is available on GitHub. See the Developer page for links and technical documentation.