The matrix-client library provides a simple interface for interacting with Matrix servers.

This tutorial introduces how to use the matrix-client library.

You will need a token to create a session, if you already have an account, you can get it with the element client by visiting the account Settings page, Help & About panel, then click Access Token.

Alternatively, you can setup a test service by running these commands in a terminal:

git clone https://github.com/matrix-org/dendrite
cd dendrite; ./build.sh; ./bin/generate-keys --private-key matrix_key.pem; cp dendrite-config.yaml dendrite.yaml
./bin/dendrite-monolith-server --config dendrite.yaml
curl -XPOST http://localhost:8008/_matrix/client/r0/register -d'{"username": "tristanC", "password": "supersecret", "auth": {"type": "mlogin.dummy"}}

To avoid manipulating the token directly, put it in your environment:

export MATRIX_TOKEN="THE_ACCESS_TOKEN"

To start using this library you need a haskell toolchain, on fedora run:

$ sudo dnf install -y ghc cabal-install && cabal update

Then get a copy of the library by running:

$ git clone https://github.com/softwarefactory-project/matrix-client-haskell
$ cd matrix-client-haskell

Start a REPL:

$ cabal repl
Prelude> import Network.Matrix.Client
Prelude Netowrk.Matrix.Client> :set prompt "> "
> :set -XOverloadedStrings
> :type getTokenOwner
getTokenOwner :: ClientSession -> MatrixIO WhoAmI

Most functions require ClientSession which carries the endpoint url and the http client manager.

The only way to get the client is through the createSession function:

> token <- getTokenFromEnv "MATRIX_TOKEN"
> sess <- createSession "https://matrix.org" token
> getTokenOwner sess
Right (WhoAmI "@tristanc_:matrix.org")