Back

Multi-Relay Chat

A federated, real-time chat network connecting BBS systems and users around the world.

What is MRC?

MRC (Multi-Relay Chat) is a real-time chat network inspired by the classic BBS era. It connects multiple BBS systems — and standalone servers — into a single federated network, so users on different servers can talk to each other instantly in shared rooms.

Think of it like IRC, but built for the BBS community: you connect through your favourite BBS or directly to an MRC server, and you're part of a live, global chat network shared across every participating system.

How to Connect
Web Chat

The easiest way. Open your browser and start chatting - no software to install. However you require an MRC Trust account, initially created from a BBS in MRC.

Mobile friendly
Telnet / SSH

Connect via telnet or SSH to a BBS that runs MRC using your terminal client of choice.

Classic BBS experience
IRC

Connect using any IRC client. MRC bridges to IRC so you can join the network from your favourite client. An MRC Trust account is required, initially created from a BBS in MRC.

Any IRC client
What Can You Do?
Join rooms
Public topic channels for live group chat
See who's online
Across the entire network, in real time
Direct messages
Private one-on-one conversations
Cross-server chat
Your messages reach everyone, everywhere on the network
One account
Your identity works across all federated servers
Basic Commands

Once connected, these commands get you started. Type /HELP for the full list.

/JOIN lobbyJoin a room or channel
/LISTList all active rooms
/STATISTICSShow server and network statistics
/CHATTERSSee everyone online across the network
/MSG username textSend a private message
/HELPShow the full command reference
Federation — One Network, Many Servers

MRC is now federated — multiple servers are interconnected so their users can all talk together. When you send a message, it's relayed across every connected server in real time. No matter which server you connect to, you're part of the same conversation.

Each server in the federation is located in different regions and form a single network. The network grows as more BBS systems join.

Running a BBS?

Anyone can connect his BBS to MRC and clients are available on many different platforms already.

The MRC network is already composed off over 100 BBSes and each server can now supports 300+ concurrent connections, SSL/TLS, a web dashboard, and a browser-based web chat client.