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Magic Wormhole
What Magic Wormhole is
Magic Wormhole is free, MIT-licensed open-source software for moving files, directories, short text, streams, and other messages between computers. Its command-line tool and library use a short, human-pronounceable connection code: the sender shows it and the receiver enters it, with each code usable once. Peers connect directly when possible, or through a transit relay when network conditions block a direct path. SPAKE2 password-authenticated key exchange creates a shared secret, and peer traffic is encrypted with keys derived from it. An optional --verify check prints an extra string for comparison. The documentation notes that default codes have 16 bits of entropy, meaning an interceptor has a one-in-65,536 chance of guessing one. A mailbox server handles initial messages, and users can configure their own mailbox and transit relay. The ecosystem lists web, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows clients alongside command-line implementations. Installation is documented through OS packages, Homebrew, Winget, Chocolatey, and pip. The Python library supports Python 3.10 and higher.
Who it suits
Magic Wormhole suits people who need open-source transfers of files, directories, text, or streams between computers. It also fits users who prefer command-line tools, configurable relays, or listed client applications across major platforms.
What it does well
- Free MIT-licensed software
- Single-use human-pronounceable codes
- Encrypted peer traffic
- Supports files, directories, text, and streams
- Clients listed for major platforms
What to know first
- No desktop app listed for the core project
- Default codes have 16 bits of entropy
- Public relay is intended for moderate traffic
- Requires a mailbox server for initial messages
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Wormhole | MIT-licensed software · public relay is intended for moderate traffic and may be best-effort | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Magic Wormhole offers a focused, open-source transfer workflow with encrypted peer traffic and one-time codes. Its security documentation and relay limits should be considered when choosing how to use it.
Facts from Magic Wormhole's own pages
- API access
- Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Connection codes
- The sender displays a short, human-pronounceable code for the receiver to enter, and codes are single-use. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop and mobile apps
- The ecosystem page lists client applications for web, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows, in addition to command-line implementations. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- No · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Encryption
- The protocol uses SPAKE2 password-authenticated key exchange to establish a shared secret, and peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted with keys derived from it. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2015 · github.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project documents installation through OS packages, Homebrew, Winget, Chocolatey, and pip. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Listed integrations include a tmux plugin for file transfers and termshark support for transferring pcap files. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The documentation describes use cases such as sending a file to a friend, sharing a randomly generated password, or providing an SSH public key. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License and runtime
- The project is MIT-licensed and its Python library is compatible with Python 3.10 and higher. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Peer connections
- Peers connect directly when possible and can use a transit relay when network conditions prevent a direct connection. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Magic Wormhole provides a command-line tool and library for transferring files, directories, or short text between computers. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Relay setup
- The library uses a mailbox server for initial messages; users can configure their own mailbox and transit relay servers. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security limit
- The documentation says default codes have 16 bits of entropy, giving an attacker who can intercept the connection a one-in-65,536 chance of guessing the code. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The project directs users to GitHub for bugs and patches and lists IRC and Matrix chat channels. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Transfer types
- The tool can send files, directories, text, and other messages including streams. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Verification
- The CLI offers an optional --verify check that prints an extra verification string for the users to compare. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Magic Wormhole stands on Freedom251
- File transfer services#39 of 105