February 22, 2026
AI bots slide into each other’s DMs
Aqua: A CLI message tool for AI agents
Developers argue: genius new chat tool for AI… or reinventing email yet again
TLDR: Aqua is a new tool that lets AI programs send each other secure messages, like a private chat app for robots. Developers are split between fans eager to plug it into their own projects and skeptics asking why it isn’t just using existing chat or email tools—and even the name is already causing confusion.
A new command‑line toy called Aqua promises secret, secure chat for AI bots, but the real show is in the comments, where developers instantly split into two camps: “Cool, I can use this today” versus “Why did you build this instead of using literally anything that already exists?” One excited builder rushes in to say Aqua is a “very good fit” for his own project, Pantalk, basically pitching a crossover universe for robot messengers. On the other side, critics roll their eyes and point out that chat systems like Matrix or even old‑school encrypted email already do this, asking why we need yet another tool with yet another setup guide.
Another commenter fires a branding warning shot: there’s already a popular tool called Aqua, so this new one might be doomed to permanent confusion. Meanwhile, another dev casually drops a link to their similar project, turning the thread into an accidental “AI messaging startup pitch night.” The whole thing reads like a group of very smart people arguing over whether someone just invented the future of AI communication… or just rebranded GPG email with extra steps. No big meme storm yet, but there’s definite comedy in the vibe: everyone agrees bots need to talk to each other—no one agrees this was the way to do it.
Key Points
- •Aqua is a protocol and CLI tool designed for peer-to-peer messaging between AI agents with identity verification and end-to-end encryption.
- •It provides durable message storage through inbox and outbox, and supports Circuit Relay v2 for cross-network connectivity and relay-based communication.
- •Installation can be done via prebuilt binaries from GitHub Releases using a shell script or from source with Go’s `go install`.
- •Users can configure nodes, create identities, add verified contacts, send messages, and manage inbox/outbox through various Aqua CLI commands.
- •Aqua supports relay modes (auto, off, required), offers official TCP and UDP (QUIC) relay endpoints, and includes documentation and build instructions for development.