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Simplify README and add ESS Getting started section (#19228)

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- Add reference to ESS for getting started easily with
Synapse/Matrix/Element
- Remove details on standalone installations and link to the docs
- Other updates like copyright
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Patrick Maier
2025-12-02 12:09:18 +01:00
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README.rst
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@@ -7,81 +7,61 @@
Synapse is an open source `Matrix <https://matrix.org>`__ homeserver
implementation, written and maintained by `Element <https://element.io>`_.
`Matrix <https://github.com/matrix-org>`__ is the open standard for
secure and interoperable real-time communications. You can directly run
and manage the source code in this repository, available under an AGPL
license (or alternatively under a commercial license from Element).
There is no support provided by Element unless you have a
subscription from Element.
`Matrix <https://github.com/matrix-org>`__ is the open standard for secure and
interoperable real-time communications. You can directly run and manage the
source code in this repository, available under an AGPL license (or
alternatively under a commercial license from Element).
Subscription
============
There is no support provided by Element unless you have a subscription from
Element.
For those that need an enterprise-ready solution, Element
Server Suite (ESS) is `available via subscription <https://element.io/pricing>`_.
ESS builds on Synapse to offer a complete Matrix-based backend including the full
`Admin Console product <https://element.io/enterprise-functionality/admin-console>`_,
giving admins the power to easily manage an organization-wide
deployment. It includes advanced identity management, auditing,
moderation and data retention options as well as Long-Term Support and
SLAs. ESS supports any Matrix-compatible client.
🚀 Getting started
==================
.. contents::
This component is developed and maintained by `Element <https://element.io>`_.
It gets shipped as part of the **Element Server Suite (ESS)** which provides the
official means of deployment.
🛠️ Installation and configuration
==================================
ESS is a Matrix distribution from Element with focus on quality and ease of use.
It ships a full Matrix stack tailored to the respective use case.
The Synapse documentation describes `how to install Synapse <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html>`_. We recommend using
`Docker images <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#docker-images-and-ansible-playbooks>`_ or `Debian packages from Matrix.org
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#matrixorg-packages>`_.
There are three editions of ESS:
.. _federation:
- `ESS Community <https://github.com/element-hq/ess-helm>`_ - the free Matrix
distribution from Element tailored to small-/mid-scale, non-commercial
community use cases
- `ESS Pro <https://element.io/server-suite>`_ - the commercial Matrix
distribution from Element for professional use
- `ESS TI-M <https://element.io/server-suite/ti-messenger>`_ - a special version
of ESS Pro focused on the requirements of TI-Messenger Pro and ePA as
specified by the German National Digital Health Agency Gematik
Synapse has a variety of `config options
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html>`_
which can be used to customise its behaviour after installation.
There are additional details on how to `configure Synapse for federation here
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/federate.html>`_.
.. _reverse-proxy:
🛠️ Standalone installation and configuration
============================================
Using a reverse proxy with Synapse
----------------------------------
It is recommended to put a reverse proxy such as
`nginx <https://nginx.org/en/docs/http/ngx_http_proxy_module.html>`_,
`Apache <https://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/mod/mod_proxy_http.html>`_,
`Caddy <https://caddyserver.com/docs/quick-starts/reverse-proxy>`_,
`HAProxy <https://www.haproxy.org/>`_ or
`relayd <https://man.openbsd.org/relayd.8>`_ in front of Synapse. One advantage of
doing so is that it means that you can expose the default https port (443) to
Matrix clients without needing to run Synapse with root privileges.
For information on configuring one, see `the reverse proxy docs
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/reverse_proxy.html>`_.
Upgrading an existing Synapse
-----------------------------
The instructions for upgrading Synapse are in `the upgrade notes`_.
Please check these instructions as upgrading may require extra steps for some
versions of Synapse.
.. _the upgrade notes: https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/develop/upgrade.html
The Synapse documentation describes `options for installing Synapse standalone
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html>`_. See
below for more useful documenation links.
- `Synapse configuration options <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html>`_
- `Synapse configuration for federation <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/federate.html>`_
- `Using a reverse proxy with Synapse <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/reverse_proxy.html>`_
- `Upgrading Synapse <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/develop/upgrade.html>`_
Platform dependencies
---------------------
Synapse uses a number of platform dependencies such as Python and PostgreSQL,
and aims to follow supported upstream versions. See the
`deprecation policy <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/deprecation_policy.html>`_
for more details.
and aims to follow supported upstream versions. See the `deprecation policy
<https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/deprecation_policy.html>`_ for more
details.
Security note
-------------
Matrix serves raw, user-supplied data in some APIs -- specifically the `content
Matrix serves raw, user-supplied data in some APIs — specifically the `content
repository endpoints`_.
.. _content repository endpoints: https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/latest.html#get-matrix-media-r0-download-servername-mediaid
@@ -118,60 +98,6 @@ mentioned in MXIDs hosted on that server.
Following this advice ensures that even if an XSS is found in Synapse, the
impact to other applications will be minimal.
🧪 Testing a new installation
=============================
The easiest way to try out your new Synapse installation is by connecting to it
from a web client.
Unless you are running a test instance of Synapse on your local machine, in
general, you will need to enable TLS support before you can successfully
connect from a client: see
`TLS certificates <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#tls-certificates>`_.
An easy way to get started is to login or register via Element at
https://app.element.io/#/login or https://app.element.io/#/register respectively.
You will need to change the server you are logging into from ``matrix.org``
and instead specify a homeserver URL of ``https://<server_name>:8448``
(or just ``https://<server_name>`` if you are using a reverse proxy).
If you prefer to use another client, refer to our
`client breakdown <https://matrix.org/ecosystem/clients/>`_.
If all goes well you should at least be able to log in, create a room, and
start sending messages.
.. _`client-user-reg`:
Registering a new user from a client
------------------------------------
By default, registration of new users via Matrix clients is disabled. To enable
it:
1. In the
`registration config section <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html#registration>`_
set ``enable_registration: true`` in ``homeserver.yaml``.
2. Then **either**:
a. set up a `CAPTCHA <https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/latest/CAPTCHA_SETUP.html>`_, or
b. set ``enable_registration_without_verification: true`` in ``homeserver.yaml``.
We **strongly** recommend using a CAPTCHA, particularly if your homeserver is exposed to
the public internet. Without it, anyone can freely register accounts on your homeserver.
This can be exploited by attackers to create spambots targeting the rest of the Matrix
federation.
Your new Matrix ID will be formed partly from the ``server_name``, and partly
from a localpart you specify when you create the account in the form of::
@localpart:my.domain.name
(pronounced "at localpart on my dot domain dot name").
As when logging in, you will need to specify a "Custom server". Specify your
desired ``localpart`` in the 'Username' box.
🎯 Troubleshooting and support
==============================
@@ -182,7 +108,7 @@ Enterprise quality support for Synapse including SLAs is available as part of an
`Element Server Suite (ESS) <https://element.io/pricing>`_ subscription.
If you are an existing ESS subscriber then you can raise a `support request <https://ems.element.io/support>`_
and access the `knowledge base <https://ems-docs.element.io>`_.
and access the `Element product documentation <https://docs.element.io>`_.
🤝 Community support
--------------------
@@ -201,35 +127,6 @@ issues for support requests, only for bug reports and feature requests.
.. |docs| replace:: ``docs``
.. _docs: docs
🪪 Identity Servers
===================
Identity servers have the job of mapping email addresses and other 3rd Party
IDs (3PIDs) to Matrix user IDs, as well as verifying the ownership of 3PIDs
before creating that mapping.
**Identity servers do not store accounts or credentials - these are stored and managed on homeservers.
Identity Servers are just for mapping 3rd Party IDs to Matrix IDs.**
This process is highly security-sensitive, as there is an obvious risk of spam if it
is too easy to sign up for Matrix accounts or harvest 3PID data. In the longer
term, we hope to create a decentralised system to manage it (`matrix-doc #712
<https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/issues/712>`_), but in the meantime,
the role of managing trusted identity in the Matrix ecosystem is farmed out to
a cluster of known trusted ecosystem partners, who run 'Matrix Identity
Servers' such as `Sydent <https://github.com/matrix-org/sydent>`_, whose role
is purely to authenticate and track 3PID logins and publish end-user public
keys.
You can host your own copy of Sydent, but this will prevent you reaching other
users in the Matrix ecosystem via their email address, and prevent them finding
you. We therefore recommend that you use one of the centralised identity servers
at ``https://matrix.org`` or ``https://vector.im`` for now.
To reiterate: the Identity server will only be used if you choose to associate
an email address with your account, or send an invite to another user via their
email address.
🛠️ Development
==============
@@ -252,20 +149,29 @@ Alongside all that, join our developer community on Matrix:
Copyright and Licensing
=======================
| Copyright 2014-2017 OpenMarket Ltd
| Copyright 2017 Vector Creations Ltd
| Copyright 2017-2025 New Vector Ltd
|
| Copyright 2014–2017 OpenMarket Ltd
| Copyright 2017 Vector Creations Ltd
| Copyright 2017–2025 New Vector Ltd
| Copyright 2025 Element Creations Ltd
This software is dual-licensed by New Vector Ltd (Element). It can be used either:
This software is dual-licensed by Element Creations Ltd (Element). It can be
used either:
(1) for free under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License (as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version); OR
(1) for free under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License (as
published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License,
or (at your option) any later version); OR
(2) under the terms of a paid-for Element Commercial License agreement between you and Element (the terms of which may vary depending on what you and Element have agreed to).
(2) under the terms of a paid-for Element Commercial License agreement between
you and Element (the terms of which may vary depending on what you and
Element have agreed to).
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the Licenses is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the Licenses for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the Licenses.
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed
under the Licenses is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR
CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the Licenses for the
specific language governing permissions and limitations under the Licenses.
Please contact `licensing@element.io <mailto:licensing@element.io>`_ to purchase an Element commercial license for this software.
Please contact `licensing@element.io <mailto:licensing@element.io>`_ to purchase
an Element commercial license for this software.
.. |support| image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/matrix-community%20support-success