Named for the Matrix homeserver it is hosted on, the Catgirl Works Matrix Bridge is a service that bridges Meshtastic with the Matrix decentralized chat platform, allowing users of both networks to interact with each other.
Unlike most typical nodes, CWMB makes use of the new Mesh over LAN feature added to Meshtastic version 2.6 to create a virtual node for each Matrix user connected to the bridge. This allows regular mesh users to interact with Matrix users completely seamlessly. It is currently connected to the rest of the mesh through a separate node using a directional antenna pointed at McCRACKEN.
Designed and programmed by Kabi over the course of several months, it started as a experiment to better understand the underlying technology behind both platforms and quickly evolved into a very convenient way to communicate with the WPAmesh when outside of range or visiting a different mesh. This also has the benefit of not polluting another mesh’s node DB by connecting a mobile node to MQTT.