Raven is an open-source instant messaging server built with Spring Boot and Spring Cloud. It provides backend services for mobile and web clients, including gateway access, message routing, group management, storage helpers, and file upload support.
Maintenance resumed in June 2026 after a dormant period. The current work is focused on restoring a reproducible build, removing stale public setup information, and defining a staged modernization path.
Raven is not currently presented as production-ready. The service architecture depends on external infrastructure and the dependency stack still needs incremental upgrades. See MAINTENANCE.md for the active scope and known limitations.
| Module | Responsibility |
|---|---|
raven-admin |
Application configuration, gateway discovery, and group management APIs |
raven-common |
Shared models, protocol definitions, Netty helpers, and utilities |
raven-file |
FastDFS-backed file upload service |
raven-gateway |
Client-facing gateway and message producer |
raven-route |
Kafka-backed message routing and notifications |
raven-storage |
Redis-backed routing and conversation storage helpers |
raven-test |
Manual client and pressure-test utilities |
The original message-flow notes remain available in doc/DesignDoc/doc/process.md.
Running the complete service stack requires:
- MySQL
- Redis
- Kafka
- Nacos
- ZooKeeper
- FastDFS for file uploads
The Maven verification build does not require these services:
mvn clean verify| Repository | Description | Technology |
|---|---|---|
| raven-client | iOS and Android client | Flutter |
| raven-web | Web client | Angular |
| raven-appserver | Application server for groups and contacts | Spring Boot |
Read CONTRIBUTING.md before opening a pull request. Keep changes focused and include verification results.
Raven is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.