Repolode
Submit
NuSkooler

NuSkooler/enigma-bbs

A modern bulletin board system (BBS) server in Node.js, with telnet, SSH and WebSocket access plus FidoNet, email and retro door support.

View on GitHubWebsite
Stars
677
Forks
130
Open issues
29
Last commit
yesterday

What is it?

ENiGMA½ is a bulletin board system (BBS) server, the kind of multi-user dial-up style community host that ran on early personal computers. It runs on Node.js and can be reached over Telnet, SSH, or WebSocket, with a terminal interface that renders CP437 and UTF-8 ANSI artwork, including wide CJK characters.

The server bundles the pieces a BBS typically needs: user accounts with PBKDF2 password hashing and one-time-password two-factor login, message areas, file bases with full-text search, and a built-in web server for temporary download links. Configuration uses HJSON files, and menus, themes and JavaScript mods can be customized.

It also connects to older networks and games. The project supports FidoNet-style message networks with a native BinkP mailer, Internet mail over IMAP/SMTP, and an experimental ActivityPub implementation. Classic DOS and Amiga doors run through embedded emulators, and Z-Machine interactive fiction runs natively.

Key features

  • 01Telnet, SSH and WebSocket access with a terminal UI supporting CP437 and UTF-8 output
  • 02Native BinkP mailer and FidoNet-style message networks
  • 03Internet mail send and receive via IMAP/SMTP
  • 04File bases with full-text search and an upload processor for FILE_ID.DIZ extraction
  • 05Embedded DOS (v86) and Amiga (vAmiga) door emulation, plus Z-Machine interactive fiction
  • 06Configuration through HJSON files, menus, themes and JavaScript mods

Use cases

  • Running a retro-style community board that users reach over telnet or SSH
  • Hosting a FidoNet or message-network node for echo mail exchange
  • Operating a BBS with classic DOS or Amiga door games
  • Providing a self-hosted file library with searchable uploads

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install Node.js, which ENiGMA½ runs on

  2. 2

    Run the official install script from the README (on most *nix systems)

  3. 3

    See Installation Methods in the docs for Windows, Docker and other options

Things to know

  • The quick install relies on piping a remote script into bash, so review it first if that concerns you.
  • The ActivityPub / Fediverse support is marked experimental.
  • You must self-host the server and manage its configuration yourself.

In collections

CLI & terminal tools

Topics

#bbs#terminal#retro#ssh#telnet#fidonet#nodejs#ansi#activitypub-server#ascii

FAQ

What is enigma-bbs?
A modern bulletin board system (BBS) server in Node.js, with telnet, SSH and WebSocket access plus FidoNet, email and retro door support. ENiGMA½ is a bulletin board system (BBS) server, the kind of multi-user dial-up style community host that ran on early personal computers. It runs on Node.js and can be reached over Telnet, SSH, or WebSocket, with a terminal interface that renders CP437 and UTF-8 ANSI artwork, including wide CJK characters.
Is enigma-bbs free to use? What license does it have?
enigma-bbs is open source under the BSD-2-Clause license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is enigma-bbs still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to enigma-bbs was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use enigma-bbs for?
Running a retro-style community board that users reach over telnet or SSH Hosting a FidoNet or message-network node for echo mail exchange Operating a BBS with classic DOS or Amiga door games Providing a self-hosted file library with searchable uploads
How do I install enigma-bbs?
Install Node.js, which ENiGMA½ runs on Run the official install script from the README (on most *nix systems) See Installation Methods in the docs for Windows, Docker and other options
Where can I get enigma-bbs?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/NuSkooler/enigma-bbs

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

Related projects