Misskey is a free and open-source software used for running self-hosted social networking services. It was originally developed by "syuilo", a Japanese software engineer. The main service was first developed as a bulletin board, but then the open-source community started to add short "Notes" and a timeline function to the service growing it into a microblogging site. Those key features allowed the program and community to grow to its current size.
Overview
A user's post is called a Note. As with other open-source social networks, users can join or create servers. Each server is managed by different administrators, in different locations.
The origin of the Misskey name is from the lyrics of , a song released by the Japanese singer .
History
Development
Misskey publishes its source code to GitHub. The code can be modified as long as it is published under the AGPLv3. Since Misskey also publishes , you can create a personal application through the code. The translation uses .
Timeline
Misskey’s development was started in 2014. On April 8, 2018, it began using the ActivityPub protocol to communicate between different servers, and had the codename "nighthike". On April 14, 2019, version 11 was released. PostgreSQL was adopted as the database software, and the release renamed its codename "daybreak". On February 6, 2020, version 12 was released with the codename "indigo". On January 16, 2023, version 13 was released. It’s codename is "nasubi". It added different functions and changed the design drastically.
Technology
The code is written with TypeScript and Node.js. is used as a database software while is used as the Web client since February, 2018. Misskey users can interact with users on any other server that supports .
Differences from Mastodon
Misskey and Mastodon are both distributed social networks based on ActivityPub. But their programming languages and library are different and their APIs are not compatible.
When it began, Misskey was not designed as a distributed social network, so its main philosophy isn't based on an decentralized approach.
Forks
Dolphin is an official fork (sister project) of Misskey. It has fewer features than regular Misskey, but uses fewer resources to build. There is currently no active development. Foundkey, developed by Johann155. No longer under active development. Firefish (formerly Calckey), developed by ThatOneCalculator. Iceshrimp, developed by April. Forked from Calckey for UK Copyright reasons.