Software for builders
Cabal
Where builders lock in.
Cabal is an open-source messenger for a city’s builders, launching first in Chicago. It gives people who make things one place to meet: introduce yourself, see who’s around, lock in on what you’re building, and share launches, questions, opportunities, and events. It is designed for showing up on purpose and getting work done, not for being available all day.
cabal.city
Who it’s for
Founders, engineers, designers, and the people who support them, starting with Chicago.
What it does
- Rooms for introductions, launches, and asks, plus team rooms for your crew.
- Lock in: start a focus session in one tap, say what you’re working on, and go heads-down with notifications muted.
- Lets you choose when you’re around, away, or heads-down. Cabal never watches your keyboard or screen.
- Direct messages are end-to-end encrypted.
- A shared board of opportunities and a community calendar of events.
- Runs in any browser, or as a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What we designed and built
- Real-time messaging, presence, and typing indicators
- Lock-in focus sessions, with optional weekly hours
- End-to-end encryption for direct messages, using only the browser’s built-in cryptography
- The desktop app, with who’s online in the menu bar and floating chat windows
- Public developer docs that link every claim to the code
- Open source
- Real-time chat
- Focus sessions
- Desktop app
Questions about Cabal?
Get in touch