# Configuring SchildiChat (optional)

This playbook can install the [SchildiChat](https://github.com/SchildiChat/schildichat-desktop) Matrix web client for you.
SchildiChat is a feature-rich messenger for Matrix based on Element with some extras and tweaks.
SchildiChat can be installed alongside or instead of Element.

**WARNING**: SchildiChat Web is based on Element-web, but its releases are lagging behind. As an example (from 2024-02-26), SchildiChat Web is 22 releases behind (it being based on element-web `v1.11.36`, while element-web is now on `v1.11.58`). Element-web frequently suffers from security issues, so running something based on an ancient Element-web release is **dangerous**. Use SchildiChat Web at your own risk!

## DNS

You need to add a `schildichat.DOMAIN` DNS record so that SchildiChat can be accessed.
By default SchildiChat will use https://schildichat.DOMAIN so you will need to create an CNAME record
for `schildichat`. See [Configuring DNS](configuring-dns.md).

If you would like to use a different domain, add the following configuration to your `inventory/host_vars/matrix.DOMAIN/vars.yml` file (changing it to use your preferred domain):

```yaml
 matrix_server_fqn_schildichat: "sc.{{ matrix_domain }}"
```

## Adjusting the playbook configuration

To enable SchildiChat, add the following configuration to your `inventory/host_vars/matrix.DOMAIN/vars.yml` file:

```yaml
matrix_client_schildichat_enabled: true
```

The playbook provides some customization variables you could use to change SchildiChat's settings.

Their defaults are defined in [`roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml`](../roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml) and they ultimately end up in the generated `/matrix/schildichat/config.json` file (on the server). This file is generated from the [`roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/templates/config.json.j2`](../roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/templates/config.json.j2) template.

**If there's an existing variable** which controls a setting you wish to change, you can simply define that variable in your configuration file (`inventory/host_vars/matrix.<your-domain>/vars.yml`) and [re-run the playbook](installing.md) to apply the changes.

Alternatively, **if there is no pre-defined variable** for a SchildiChat setting you wish to change:

- you can either **request a variable to be created** (or you can submit such a contribution yourself). Keep in mind that it's **probably not a good idea** to create variables for each one of SchildiChat's various settings that rarely get used.

- or, you can **extend and override the default configuration** ([`config.json.j2`](../roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/templates/config.json.j2)) by making use of the `matrix_client_schildichat_configuration_extension_json_` variable. You can find information about this in [`roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml`](../roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml).

- or, if extending the configuration is still not powerful enough for your needs, you can **override the configuration completely** using `matrix_client_schildichat_configuration_default` (or `matrix_client_schildichat_configuration`). You can find information about this in [`roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml`](../roles/custom/matrix-client-schildichat/defaults/main.yml).

### Themes

To change the look of SchildiChat, you can define your own themes manually by using the `matrix_client_schildichat_setting_defaults_custom_themes` setting.

Or better yet, you can automatically pull it all themes provided by the [aaronraimist/element-themes](https://github.com/aaronraimist/element-themes) project by simply flipping a flag (`matrix_client_schildichat_themes_enabled: true`).

If you make your own theme, we encourage you to submit it to the **aaronraimist/element-themes** project, so that the whole community could easily enjoy it.

Note that for a custom theme to work well, all SchildiChat instances that you use must have the same theme installed.

## Installing

After configuring the playbook, run the [installation](installing.md) command: `just install-all` or `just setup-all`
