Private messaging with end-to-end encryption.
How it works
Ara connects to Signal by registering a phone number inside your container. Your AI assistant becomes reachable on Signal, and all messages are end-to-end encrypted.
Setup
Open Ara settings
Go to the messaging section of your web console or desktop app.
Click Connect Signal
Enter a phone number to register with Signal.
Verify with SMS
You’ll receive an SMS verification code. Enter it in Ara.
Connected
Your AI assistant is now available on Signal.
The phone number you register will be claimed by Ara’s Signal connection. If you’re already using this number for personal Signal, you’ll be logged out on your phone. Use a separate number if you want to keep your personal Signal active.
Privacy
Signal provides strong privacy guarantees:
- All messages are end-to-end encrypted between your phone and the container
- Message content is never visible to Signal’s servers
- Ara doesn’t store message content — it’s processed in real-time within your container
How the bridge works
The Signal bridge implements the Signal protocol inside your container. It runs as a daemon that:
- Registers and verifies a phone number with Signal’s servers
- Maintains a persistent connection for receiving messages
- Forwards incoming messages to the runtime
- Sends responses back through Signal
Signal credentials are stored in your container and survive freeze/restore cycles.
Limitations
- Requires a phone number — Signal requires SMS verification for registration
- One number per connection — each session connects to one Signal account
- Group support — your AI can participate in Signal group chats if added as a member
