# Delta Chat plugin for libpurple

## Overview

[Delta Chat](https://delta.chat) is an instant messaging application based on
email - which is to say, SMTP+IMAP.

It doesn't have its own desktop application at present, but it does have a
[core protocol library](https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core). Wrapping
this in a libpurple plugin will allow existing desktop applications such as
[Pidgin](https://pidgin.im) to interoperate.

## Build

Very basic instructions at present. First, `deltachat-core` isn't packaged, so
you'll need to build and install it according to
[these instructions](https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core/blob/master/README.md#build).

Now, you'll need some other build dependencies:

```
sudo apt install build-essential libpurple-dev libsoup2.4-dev libglib2.0-dev
```

Finally, run `make` to create a `libdelta.so` file.

## Use

The easiest way to use this is to copy the `libdelta.so` file into
`~/.purple/plugins`. When running pidgin, you'll now have the option to add
a "Delta Chat" account.

If it doesn't show up, chances are pidgin can't find the various shared
libraries the .so depends on. You can run `ldd ~/.purple/plugins/libdelta.so`
to confirm. I'll document fixing this after the build and install system is
settled.

At present, the "Username" and "Password" account fields correspond to email
address and password, respectively. Many important settings also show up on the
"Advanced" tab - if left blank, the plugin will attempt to automatically detect
the correct values, but you may need to fill some of them in manually to get
the connection to work.

Run pidgin with `--debug` to see interesting output.

## Limitations

There's no facility at present to import account keys, so sharing an email
address between your mobile and desktop isn't amazing. It's high on the agenda.