====== twtxt ======

**Created by:** buckket\\
**Format:** plain text, tab-separated, publicly hosted\\
**GitHub:** [[https://github.com/buckket/twtxt|github.com/buckket/twtxt]]

===== What It Is =====

A decentralised, minimalist microblogging format for self-hosted flat files.

Instead of signing up at a closed microblogging platform, you put status updates in a publicly accessible text file. The URL pointing to that file is your identity. twtxt clients track these files like a feedreader and build a timeline from the files you follow.

No registration. No API keys. No JavaScript. No server-side code required.

===== Format =====

A twtxt feed is a plain text file. Each line is a post:

<code>
# nick = brennan
# url = https://brennan.day/twtxt.txt
# avatar = https://brennan.day/assets/images/brennan.jpg
# description = Queer Métis author and FOSS web developer from Treaty 7 territory

2026-01-21T10:30:00-07:00	🚧 Testing twtxt setup
2026-01-20T09:15:00-07:00	☕ Morning coffee and code
</code>

The ''#'' lines are optional metadata. Each post is:

<code>
TIMESTAMP<TAB>content
</code>

**The TAB character between timestamp and content is mandatory.** Timestamps are ISO 8601.

===== Comparison to Other Protocols =====

^ Protocol ^ Format ^ Hosting ^ Encryption ^
| twtxt | plain text file | any web server | optional (HTTPS) |
| [[protocols:gemini:start|Gemini]] | gemtext | Gemini server | TLS required |
| [[protocols:gopher:start|Gopher]] | gophermap | Gopher server | none |
| RSS/Atom | XML | any web server | optional |

twtxt is the most minimal — a static file with no special server requirement.

===== Following Someone =====

<code bash>
# Add a feed to twtxt client
twtxt follow brennan https://brennan.day/twtxt.txt

# Read your timeline
twtxt timeline
</code>

Or read any twtxt feed directly in a browser or ''curl'':

<code bash>
curl https://brennan.day/twtxt.txt
</code>

===== See Also =====

  * [[indieweb:status_lol_twtxt|Syncing status.lol to twtxt]]
  * [[protocols:start|Protocols]]
  * [[indieweb:principles|IndieWeb Principles]]