Into the Hyphae: Your First Steps in the Weird World of Hyphanet

kholegrham
help hyphanet
Vintage computer monitor displaying green code text surrounded by Matrix-style digital rain effects

So you’ve tunneled through the Torverse, peeked at onion services, memorized some .onion addresses like birthdays, and now you’re wondering: What else is out there in the glorious dark? Enter Hyphanet, the mysterious fungal cousin in the anonymity ecosystem. You’ve read the history, the comparisons, maybe even skimmed the routing docs with a blank stare, and now you’re ready for the real stuff: installing and running the beast.

Well, buckle up. It’s not hard, just… different. In this guide, we’ll walk you through installing Hyphanet, configuring it like a proper paranoiac, and getting to the point where you can start peeking at Freesites like it’s 2005 again (on purpose).

Step 0: What You Need

Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll need:

  • A computer. Preferably not one you let your cat walk on.
  • Java. Yes, Java. No, not JavaScript. Yes, we’re still using it. Yes, it works.
  • A decent internet connection. No dial-up if possible, unless you really want to suffer.
  • Some patience and a mild tolerance for GUI weirdness.
  • (Optional but strongly recommended) A VPN or Tor gateway if you’re the cautious type, which, let’s be honest, if you’re reading this on a Tor-hosted blog, you probably are.

Step 1: Downloading Hyphanet

From the official source

Head over to https://hyphanet.org Clearnet !

Look for the “Download” section. You’ll typically find:

  • The Installer for Windows
  • The Jar launcher for Linux/macOS/nerds
  • A source tarball if you’re that person (respect)

If you’re on Windows, go ahead and grab the installer. If you’re on Linux/macOS: get the .jar file. It’s called new_installer_offline.jar or something equally descriptive.

☕ Step 2: Installing Java (Yes, Really)

If you’ve spent years telling Java to get off your lawn, now’s the time to reluctantly invite it back.

To check if you already have Java installed:

On Linux/macOS:

java -version

If it tells you something useful and version-y (like 17.0.3), you’re good. If not, install Java:

On Debian-based Linux:

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre

On Arch (you absolute animal):

sudo pacman -S jre-openjdk

On macOS (via Homebrew):

brew install openjdk@17

You might have to link it properly, Java likes to hide like it’s in witness protection. Follow the post-install instructions from Homebrew.

On Windows (Yes, You Too)

First, go to the official OpenJDK builds (we recommend Temurin, from the Eclipse Foundation — clean, maintained, no Oracle weirdness).

Choose:

  • Version: 17 (or whatever Hyphanet currently supports)
  • JRE (not JDK, unless you also plan on writing Minecraft mods)
  • Windows x64 Installer

Run the .msi file and click Next like a real hacker. Make sure the installer adds Java to your PATH (there’s usually a checkbox, keep it checked).

To confirm Java is installed, open a Command Prompt (Win+R → cmd) and type:

java -version

You should see something like:

OpenJDK Runtime Environment Temurin-17.x.x

If it says something like 'java' is not recognized..., you may need to reboot or manually add it to your PATH via the System Environment Variables (we believe in you).

Once Java is working, you’re ready for Step 3: launching the weird jar that takes you to the land of anonymous forums and retro sites.

Step 3: Running the Installer

Now that you’ve bravely installed Java (even on Windows, bless your soul), it’s time to launch the Hyphanet installer.

On Linux/macOS

Open a terminal, cd to the directory where you downloaded the .jar file and launch it like it’s 2003:

java -jar new_installer_offline.jar

This should spawn a lovely retro Java GUI. If nothing happens, double-check your Java version or sacrifice a chicken to the compatibility gods.

On Windows

Okay, Windows users. You’ve got two ways to do this:

Option 1: Double-Click Like It’s 1999

  • Just double-click the .jar file.
  • If Java is installed correctly, it should launch the installer with the power of ancient magic.
  • If it opens in an archive manager or asks what app to use, yeah, that’s Windows being Windows. Right-click → “Open with” → “Java Platform SE Binary” (or similar).

If nothing works, skip to Option 2.

Option 2: Use the Command Line Like a Boss

  1. Open Command Prompt (Win+R → cmd)
  2. Navigate to the folder where the .jar file is. Example:
cd Downloads
  1. Run:
java -jar new_installer_offline.jar

If you get an error like java not recognized, go back to Step 2 and fix your PATH. If it works, boom, welcome to Java GUI land.

Once the installer runs, click through:

  1. Agree to the license (it’s not cursed, probably)
  2. Choose where to install Hyphanet (default is fine)
  3. Let it do its thing

After installation, the launcher should fire up automatically. If not, look for something like “Hyphanet Launcher” in your Start menu or desktop shortcuts.

If you’re on Windows and feeling fancy, you can even set it to run on startup like Discord, but, you know, less corporate surveillance.

Step 4: The First Launch (aka, The Patient Wait)

At first launch, Hyphanet will:

  • Run some basic setup
  • Ask about your bandwidth (go easy on your 4G hotspot)
  • Generate node keys
  • Start connecting to other nodes (this takes a while)
  • Finally, open up a browser tab pointing to http://127.0.0.1:8888

Welcome to the Web… but weird.

Step 5: Basic Configuration

You’re not done yet. Let’s get you properly set up.

Security Settings

Go to the Config page (top menu bar).

  • Security Level: Set it to “High” if you want plausible deniability. “Normal” is fine if you don’t plan on inserting anarchist manifestos into the network.
  • Auto-Update: Turn this on, Hyphanet updates matter for both features and staying in sync with the network.
  • UPnP: If you’re not behind 17 NATs, enabling UPnP will help connectivity. Otherwise, open ports manually.

Step 6: Trust Web of Trust (Optional but Cool)

Hyphanet is big on the Web of Trust (WoT). It’s like GPG keys meets anonymous forums meets don’t trust anyone too fast.

To enable:

  • Install the Web of Trust plugin (via the Plugins menu)
  • You can now create an identity, start building trust, and access forums like Sone (a kind of anonymous Twitter clone)

Pro-tip:

You don’t need to use WoT to browse Freesites, but it’s required for some community interactions. Plus, it’s fun to see old-school forums populated by pseudonyms like “weirdduck92” and “godofentropy42”.

Step 7: Browsing Freesites

Freesites are static sites distributed through the Hyphanet DHT. They’re not flashy, but they’re surprisingly resilient.

To explore:

  • Head to http://127.0.0.1:8888 (your local Hyphanet homepage)

  • Visit the Bookmarks section, you’ll see classic links like:

    • Freenet First Steps
    • Clean Spider
    • Freenet Social Networking Guide
    • And a lot of other entry points to the network. My advice ? Browse them all !

Browsing is slow at first, think dial-up with a side of Tor, but speeds up as your node integrates more deeply into the network.

Step 8: Installing Plugins

Hyphanet has a surprising number of plugins, considering how niche it is.

  • Sone: Decentralized microblogging. Post hot takes, anonymously.
  • FMS: Forum-like messaging board with built-in spam resistance.
  • Flip: IRC-like chat. You will need an IRC client to join.
  • WebOfTrust: Will help you to be introduced towards other users and start using “social” things.
  • KeepAlive: If you care about your obscure thing nobody looks at (or your cache of blackmail material who’s key will only be published uponyour death) staying alive in the network, KeepAlive is the way to go. Shoeshop is a second way, but far more resource intensive.

You can install plugins from the Plugin Manager. Some require you to restart your node afterward, don’t panic.

Here’s a properly researched Step 9 featuring the real FlogHelper and Sharesite plugins—no invention, just facts and guidance.

Step 9: Publishing Your First Freesite (Modern Tools Edition)

Let’s cut through the wizardry: if you want to publish on Hyphanet, these two plugins are your best friends—FlogHelper for blogging and Sharesite for general site publishing.

Step 9.1: Installing the Plugins

Head to the Hyphanet Web UI → Plugins → Available Plugins, and install:

  • FlogHelper: a streamlined blogging plugin that integrates with FProxy and supports embedded search and simple posting.
  • Sharesite: based on ShareWiki, it lets you publish static HTML sites with templating, activelink support, and CSS-ready styling.

Step 9.2: Blogging with FlogHelper

FlogHelper is designed for quick, blog-style writing:

  1. Navigate to FlogHelper in the UI.
  2. Click “Create New Flog” (Yeah, Flogs are like Blogs but on Freenet, the former name of Hyphanet).
  3. Fill in.
  4. Write some articles.
  5. Hit “Publish”—FlogHelper uses FProxy to insert your new post into the network.

Posts are then discoverable via built‑in search.

Step 9.3: Static Site Publishing with Sharesite

Want a single page website instead? Sharesite is your tool:

  1. Open Sharesite in the UI.
  2. Click “Create a new freesite” or edit an existing one.
  3. Provide Name, path, description, and optionally activelink file to boost availability.
  4. Write your content.
  5. Hack your template (optional but fun ^^).
  6. Save and Hit Insert to publish your site.

Sharesite automatically manages versions, activelinks, and styling templates (Night Zen Garden CSS is nice… I did it :D, etc.).

Step 9.4: Updating Your Site

Need to push changes?

  • FlogHelper posts a new entry, good for blog updates.
  • Sharesite: go back into UI, edit content, and click “Publish”; it handles versioning and generational updates.

Step 9.5: Advanced Methods (CLI & Scripts)

If you’re into automation or scripting:

  • Use freesitemgr.py from pyFreenet for custom command-line publishing.
  • Use jSite to automate Freesite builds and inserts.
  • Write your own scripts using the FProxy API or FCP2 protocol.

These require more technical effort, but offer full control (and CI/CD pipelines, if that’s your jam).

Why These Plugins Matter

  • FlogHelper simplifies blogging with built-in markup, WoT identity integration, search support, and optional Freetalk commenting.
  • Sharesite brings easy site publishing with friendly templates, activelinks to improve data retention, and updatable USK support.

Together, they cover most use cases without needing to learn obscure command-line tooling.

Step 10: Maintenance and Quitting Gracefully

To shut down Hyphanet:

  • Don’t just kill the Java process like a barbarian
  • Use the “Shutdown” button in the Web UI
  • Wait for confirmation, this ensures your node gracefully exits and your keys aren’t corrupted

Also, back up your config directory occasionally. Your node identity lives there, and if you lose it, you’ll have to start fresh (boo).

Final Thoughts

Getting started with Hyphanet isn’t hard, but it’s got just enough weirdness to keep the tourists away. Which, if we’re honest, is part of the charm. Once it’s running, it hums quietly in the background, serving up slow, anonymous joy like a 90s modem with a secret.

Enjoy your fungal net adventures. And remember: in the land of the Freenet, patience is king, pseudonyms are sacred, and Java is… a necessary evil.

This article was updated on 2025/07/18