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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.

The New Helmholtz Matrix Service and this Documentation Are in a Ramp-up Phase

We plan to offer Helmholtz Matrix from April 2026.

  • Please contact us if you encounter any errors.
  • Helmholtz members are also invited to give us some structured feedback here.
  • From time to time, you may see a red “Offline” notification message. This is because during ramp-up phase of the service, we may need to deploy changes to the server without prior announcement. Don’t reload, your messages will be sent with few seconds delay.

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, Transition Plan and Helmholtz Cloud Terms of Use apply.

First Steps for New Users

1. Login

  1. Decide on appropriate Matrix ID
    • If you own an institutional Matrix ID already, please use that in the following (e.g. KIT, CISPA, academic cloud by GWDG, matrix.org, TU Dresden, …) and skip steps 1.2 and 1.3.
      • Employees of DLR: Please wait for the implementation of the DLR Matrix Server (see internal channel for further information).
      • Employees of HZB: Please wait for the internal HZB announcement; IT is currently setting up the HZB Space. Have a look at the new HZB Matrix page.
      • Employees of GFZ: Please wait for the implementation of the GFZ Matrix Server (refer to internal communication).
    • If you have no own Matrix ID and are Helmholtz employee, proceed from step 1.2.
    • If you are neither a Helmholtz employee nor have an external Matrix ID, you may use a public Matrix provider to participate:
      • German academic users should consider Academic Cloud Chat.
      • The official matrix.org homeserver is also available, along with other options.
      • Alternatively, please ask your Helmholtz contact to invite you to a Group (Virtual Organization).
  2. Open your browser with https://matrix.helmholtz.cloud.
  3. Log in via Helmholtz ID.

2. 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, but can be disabled for single groups.

Be aware:

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.
  • Follow the next steps to avoid common traps.
  • You will likely lose chats if you don’t.

  1. After first log in, make sure to set and save the Recovery key / “Wiederherstellungsschlüssel” in a local and safe place (aka password manager).

    • Click on your logo at the top left and select All Settings / Encryption.

  2. Verify your session(s) when asked

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

3. 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.

4. Enjoy the Matrix Experience!

More Hints, Infos, Tips & Tricks