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Getting Started

Open Hour - every Friday from 10:00–11:00 AM

Starting March 20, 2026, we will offer an Open Hour (Video Conference, Meeting ID: 620 6808 2608, Code: 030485), where you can meet the team behind Matrix, give feedback, and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there. Furthermore, we are available at any time via support@hifis.net.

Helmholtz Matrix Documentation is WIP!

We plan to offer Helmholtz Matrix from April 2026. This first documentation is yet work in progress. Do not rely on it yet! Feel free to provide feedback if you encounter any errors.

Starting from March 30th 2026 the Helmholtz Chat Service, based on Matrix can be used free-of-charge by anybody within Helmholtz, including their invited partners. The main instance is hosted by HIFIS on HZDR servers and federates with other instances within Helmholtz and worldwide.

Our Policies, Terms of Use, Acceptable Use Policy apply.

Log In and Pick Matrix Account

  1. Open your browser with https://matrix.helmholtz.cloud

  2. Log in via Helmholtz ID.

  3. If you have an institutional matrix account already (e.g. KIT, CISPA, …, or any external institution), please use that in the following. If not, create a new Helmholtz Matrix Account.

Most Important: Save Your Recovery Key at Once!

Matrix comes with a lot of inherent security, flexibility and functionality. Encrypted communication significantly increases data sovereignty and data protection; this is set as the default (can be disabled individually).

While you can explore the functionality bit by bit, it is essential to save the your recovery key immediately. If the key is lost, even the service provider cannot restore the chat history.

Be aware:

Make sure to save your recovery key immediatly! Follow the next steps to avoid common traps!

  1. After first log in, make sure to set and save the Recovery key / “Wiederherstellungsschlüssel” in a local and safe place (aka password manager). You will likely lose chats if you don’t.

  2. Verify your session(s) when asked

    • with the recovery key or
    • with another already open session.

Do Not Log Out, Keep Your Session

  1. Don’t log out after work. Just close the window/tab/app. This keeps the (verified) session open and allows you to receive encrypted messages “over night” without needing to stay online.

  2. Sessions that are not used for more than 120 days will be closed automatically.

More Hints, Infos, Tips & Tricks