Introduction

Encra is a developer SDK for adding Signal-level end-to-end encryption to any app. Think of it as Stripe for encryption — one API key, one hook, and your users' data is encrypted on their device before it ever leaves. Your server never sees plaintext. Ever.

💡 Free during beta

All features are available for free during the beta period. No credit card required. Get your API key →

Use cases

Encra is not just for chat. The same cryptographic primitives work for any data you want only the intended recipient to read.

Encrypted chat

Real-time messaging with Double Ratchet. Every message uses a unique one-time key.

useE2EChat()

Encrypted files

Images, videos, documents — encrypted on device before upload.

useE2EFile()

Encrypted forms

Medical records, legal submissions — only the recipient can read responses.

useE2EForm()

Encrypted fields

Client-side field encryption for HIPAA and GDPR compliance.

encryptField()

How it works

Encra combines two cryptographic systems to protect your data:

X25519 key exchange

Each user generates a key pair on their device. They exchange public keys via the Encra server and independently derive the same shared secret — the server never sees it.

Double Ratchet encryption

Every payload is encrypted with a unique one-time key derived from a ratchet chain. Keys are deleted after use, providing forward secrecy and break-in recovery.

The Encra server stores only public keys and encrypted ciphertext blobs. It has no way to read your data — this is mathematically guaranteed, not a policy decision.

Packages

Encra is a monorepo with four packages. Each is independently installable.

@encra/core

Pure crypto primitives — key generation, X25519 ECDH, Double Ratchet, fingerprints. Zero framework dependencies. Works in Node.js, browser, and React Native.

@encra/react

React hooks: useE2EChat() for real-time messaging, useE2EFile() for file encryption, useE2EForm() for form field encryption.

encra (CLI)

Developer onboarding CLI. Run npx encra init to scaffold your project, npx encra ping to test your connection.

@encra/server

Self-hostable key server and WebSocket relay. BUSL 1.1 licensed.

Next steps

Start with the Quickstart guide — it takes less than 5 minutes to get end-to-end encrypted chat working in your app.

Quickstart guide How it works

Quickstart