Valour

Valour is an open-source, self-hosted communication platform for communities. It functions as a web application and server, allowing users to organize into distinct communities called Planets. These Planets serve as the primary hubs for interaction, where administrators can build specific environments to foster community growth and member engagement.

The software is deployed as a server that handles API requests and SignalR communications, serving a Blazor-based client. It is designed for community managers and moderation teams who require a flexible interface for multitasking and member management. The client allows for a highly customized experience, enabling users to arrange their workspace to suit their specific workflow needs.

Key features

• Multi-window chat system for viewing multiple conversations across different communities
• Role management and per-channel permissions for community administration
• Built-in currency and economic systems for tracking user value
• Community-defined items that can be traded using the internal economy
• Node-based architecture that allows servers to run independently of a central service
• Official API for the development of bots and third-party applications
• Dynamic and responsive chat windows that can be resized and rearranged

Valour is built using .NET and Blazor, utilizing PostgreSQL for data storage and Redis for caching. The architecture uses a logical-server system to remain provider-agnostic, which prevents a single node failure from affecting the rest of the network. This design allows the platform to scale efficiently by dedicating resources to large communities without depending on a single central cloud service. It supports various optional integrations, including S3-compatible CDN storage for media uploads, email delivery systems, and push notifications. For voice capabilities, it integrates with RealtimeKit.

Valour is a privacy-focused communication tool that prioritizes architectural independence and community-driven flexibility.