2 vim:set ts=4 sw=4 tw=82 noet:
11 DBus API for signal-cli - A commandline and dbus interface for the Signal messenger
15 *signal-cli* [--verbose] [--config CONFIG] [-a ACCOUNT] [-o {plain-text,json}] daemon [--dbus] [--dbus-system]
17 *dbus-send* [--system | --session] [--print-reply] --type=method_call --dest="org.asamk.Signal" /org/asamk/Signal[/_<phonenumber>] org.asamk.Signal.<method> [string:<string argument>] [array:<type>:<array argument>]
19 Note: when daemon was started without explicit `-a ACCOUNT`, the `dbus-send` command requires adding the phone number in `/org/asamk/Signal/_<phonenumber>`.
23 See signal-cli (1) for details on the application.
25 This documentation handles the supported methods when running signal-cli as a DBus daemon.
27 The method are described as follows:
29 method(arg1<type>, arg2<type>, ...) -> return<type>
31 Where <type> is according to DBus specification:
33 * <a> : Array of ... (comma-separated list) (array:)
34 * (...) : Struct (cannot be sent via `dbus-send`)
35 * <b> : Boolean (false|true) (boolean:)
36 * <i> : Signed 32-bit (int) integer (int32:)
37 * <o> : DBusPath object (objpath:)
38 * <s> : String (string:)
39 * <x> : Signed 64-bit (long) integer (int64:)
40 * <y> : Unsigned 8-bit (byte) integer (byte:)
41 * <> : no return value
43 The final parenthetical value (such as "boolean:") is the type indicator used by `dbus-send`.
45 Exceptions are the names of the Java Exceptions returned in the body field.
46 They typically contain an additional message with details.
47 All Exceptions begin with "org.asamk.Signal.Error." which is omitted here for better readability.
49 Phone numbers always have the format +<countrycode><regional number>
53 === SignalControl interface
55 These methods are available if the daemon is started in multi-account mode (without an explicit `-a ACCOUNT`).
56 The exported `/org/asamk/Signal` object provides a SignalControl interface, with methods to manage accounts.
57 Individual accounts are exported as separate objects and provide a Signal interface, that's described below.
58 e.g. `/org/asamk/Signal/\_441234567890` where the + dialing code is replaced by an underscore (_).
60 link() -> deviceLinkUri<s>::
61 link(newDeviceName<s>) -> deviceLinkUri<s>::
62 * newDeviceName : Name to give new device (defaults to "cli" if no name is given)
63 * deviceLinkUri : URI of newly linked device
65 Returns a URI of the form "sgnl://linkdevice?uuid=...".
66 This can be piped to a QR encoder to create a display that can be captured by a Signal smartphone client.
72 dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --type=method_call --print-reply /org/asamk/Signal org.asamk.Signal.link string:"My secondary client" | tr '\n' '\0' | sed 's/.*string //g' | sed 's/\"//g' | qrencode -s10 -tANSI256
77 listAccounts() -> accountList<as>::
78 * accountList : Array of all attached accounts in DBus object path form
82 register(number<s>, voiceVerification<b>) -> <>::
83 * number : Phone number
84 * voiceVerification : true = use voice verification; false = use SMS verification
86 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber, RequiresCaptcha
88 registerWithCaptcha(number<s>, voiceVerification<b>, captcha<s>) -> <>::
89 * number : Phone number
90 * voiceVerification : true = use voice verification; false = use SMS verification
91 * captcha : Captcha string
93 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber, RequiresCaptcha
95 verify(number<s>, verificationCode<s>) -> <>::
96 * number : Phone number
97 * verificationCode : Code received from Signal after successful registration request
99 Command fails if PIN was set after previous registration; use verifyWithPin instead.
101 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber
103 verifyWithPin(number<s>, verificationCode<s>, pin<s>) -> <>::
104 * number : Phone number
105 * verificationCode : Code received from Signal after successful registration request
106 * pin : PIN you set with setPin command after verifying previous registration
108 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber
110 version() -> version<s>::
111 * version : Version string of signal-cli
117 The following methods listen to the account's object path, which is constructed as follows:
119 - for single-account mode: "/org/asamk/Signal/"
120 - for multi-account mode: "/org/asamk/Signal/" + DBusNumber
121 * DBusNumber: account's phone number, with underscore (_) replacing plus (+)
123 getContactName(number<s>) -> name<s>::
124 * number : Phone number
125 * name : Contact's name in local storage (from the master device for a linked account, or the one set with setContactName); if not set, contact's profile name is used
129 getContactNumber(name<s>) -> numbers<as>::
130 * numbers : Array of phone number
131 * name : Contact or profile name ("firstname lastname")
133 Searches contacts and known profiles for a given name and returns the list of all known numbers.
134 May result in e.g. two entries if a contact and profile name is set.
138 getSelfNumber() -> number<s>::
139 * number : Your phone number
143 isContactBlocked(number<s>) -> blocked<b>::
144 * number : Phone number
145 * blocked : true=blocked, false=not blocked
147 For unknown numbers false is returned but no exception is raised.
149 Exceptions: InvalidPhoneNumber
151 isRegistered() -> result<b>::
152 isRegistered(number<s>) -> result<b>::
153 isRegistered(numbers<as>) -> results<ab>::
154 * number : Phone number
155 * numbers : String array of phone numbers
156 * result : true=number is registered, false=number is not registered
157 * results : Boolean array of results
159 For unknown numbers, false is returned, but no exception is raised.
160 If no number is given, returns true (indicating that you are registered).
162 Exceptions: InvalidNumber
164 listNumbers() -> numbers<as>::
165 * numbers : String array of all known numbers
167 This is a concatenated list of all defined contacts as well of profiles known (e.g. peer group members or sender of received messages)
173 Removes registration PIN protection.
177 sendEndSessionMessage(recipients<as>) -> <>::
178 * recipients : Array of phone numbers
180 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber, UntrustedIdentity
182 sendMessage(message<s>, attachments<as>, recipient<s>) -> timestamp<x>::
183 sendMessage(message<s>, attachments<as>, recipients<as>) -> timestamp<x>::
184 * message : Text to send (can be UTF8)
185 * attachments : String array of filenames to send as attachments (passed as filename, so need to be readable by the user signal-cli is running under)
186 * recipient : Phone number of a single recipient
187 * recipients : String array of phone numbers
188 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding Signal reply
190 Depending on the type of the recipient field this sends a message to one or multiple recipients.
192 Exceptions: AttachmentInvalid, Failure, InvalidNumber, UntrustedIdentity
194 sendMessageReaction(emoji<s>, remove<b>, targetAuthor<s>, targetSentTimestamp<x>, recipient<s>) -> timestamp<x>::
195 sendMessageReaction(emoji<s>, remove<b>, targetAuthor<s>, targetSentTimestamp<x>, recipients<as>) -> timestamp<x>::
196 * emoji : Unicode grapheme cluster of the emoji
197 * remove : Boolean, whether a previously sent reaction (emoji) should be removed
198 * targetAuthor : String with the phone number of the author of the message to which to react
199 * targetSentTimestamp : Long representing timestamp of the message to which to react
200 * recipient : String with the phone number of a single recipient
201 * recipients : Array of strings with phone numbers, should there be more recipients
202 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding Signal reply
204 Depending on the type of the recipient(s) field this sends a reaction to one or multiple recipients.
206 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber
208 sendNoteToSelfMessage(message<s>, attachments<as>) -> timestamp<x>::
209 * message : Text to send (can be UTF8)
210 * attachments : String array of filenames to send as attachments (passed as filename, so need to be readable by the user signal-cli is running under)
211 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding Signal reply
213 Exceptions: Failure, AttachmentInvalid
215 sendReadReceipt(recipient<s>, targetSentTimestamps<ax>) -> <>::
216 * recipient : Phone number of a single recipient
217 * targetSentTimestamps : Array of Longs to identify the corresponding Signal messages
219 Exceptions: Failure, UntrustedIdentity
221 sendViewedReceipt(recipient<s>, targetSentTimestamp<ax>) -> <>::
222 * recipient : Phone number of a single recipient
223 * targetSentTimestamp : Array of Longs to identify the corresponding signal messages
225 Exceptions: Failure, UntrustedIdentity
227 sendRemoteDeleteMessage(targetSentTimestamp<x>, recipient<s>) -> timestamp<x>::
228 sendRemoteDeleteMessage(targetSentTimestamp<x>, recipients<as>) -> timestamp<x>::
229 * targetSentTimestamp : Long representing timestamp of the message to delete
230 * recipient : String with the phone number of a single recipient
231 * recipients : Array of strings with phone numbers, should there be more recipients
232 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding signal reply
234 Depending on the type of the recipient(s) field this deletes a message with one or multiple recipients.
236 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber
238 sendTyping(recipient<s>, stop<b>) -> <>::
239 * recipient : Phone number of a single recipient
240 * stop : True, if typing state should be stopped
242 Exceptions: Failure, UntrustedIdentity
244 setContactBlocked(number<s>, block<b>) -> <>::
245 * number : Phone number affected by method
246 * block : false=remove block, true=blocked
248 Messages from blocked numbers will no longer be forwarded via DBus.
250 Exceptions: InvalidNumber
252 setContactName(number<s>,name<>) -> <>::
253 * number : Phone number
254 * name : Name to be set in contacts (in local storage with signal-cli)
256 Exceptions: InvalidNumber, Failure
258 deleteContact(number<s>) -> <>::
259 * number : Phone number
263 deleteRecipient(number<s>) -> <>::
264 * number : Phone number
268 setExpirationTimer(number<s>, expiration<i>) -> <>::
269 * number : Phone number of recipient
270 * expiration : int32 for the number of seconds before messages to this recipient disappear.
271 Set to 0 to disable expiration.
273 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber
275 setPin(pin<s>) -> <>::
276 * pin : PIN you set after registration (resets after 7 days of inactivity)
278 Sets a registration lock PIN, to prevent others from registering your number.
282 submitRateLimitChallenge(challenge<s>, captcha<s>) -> <>::
283 * challenge : The challenge token taken from the proof required error.
284 * captcha : The captcha token from the solved captcha on the Signal website.
285 Can be used to lift some rate-limits by solving a captcha.
287 Exception: IOErrorException
289 updateProfile(name<s>, about<s>, aboutEmoji <s>, avatar<s>, remove<b>) -> <>::
290 updateProfile(givenName<s>, familyName<s>, about<s>, aboutEmoji <s>, avatar<s>, remove<b>) -> <>::
291 * name : Name for your own profile (empty if unchanged)
292 * givenName : Given name for your own profile (empty if unchanged)
293 * familyName : Family name for your own profile (empty if unchanged)
294 * about : About message for profile (empty if unchanged)
295 * aboutEmoji : Emoji for profile (empty if unchanged)
296 * avatar : Filename of avatar picture for profile (empty if unchanged)
297 * remove : Set to true if the existing avatar picture should be removed
301 uploadStickerPack(stickerPackPath<s>) -> url<s>::
302 * stickerPackPath : Path to the manifest.json file or a zip file in the same directory
303 * url : URL of sticker pack after successful upload
307 version() -> version<s>::
308 * version : Version string of signal-cli
312 ==== Group related methods
314 createGroup(groupName<s>, members<as>, avatar<s>) -> groupId<ay>::
315 * groupName : String representing the display name of the group
316 * members : String array of new members to be invited to group
317 * avatar : Filename of avatar picture to be set for group (empty if none)
318 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
320 Exceptions: AttachmentInvalid, Failure, InvalidNumber;
322 getGroup(groupId<ay>) -> objectPath<o>::
323 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
324 * objectPath : DBusPath for the group
326 getGroupMembers(groupId<ay>) -> members<as>::
327 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
328 * members : String array with the phone numbers of all active members of a group
330 Exceptions: None, if the group name is not found an empty array is returned
332 joinGroup(inviteURI<s>) -> <>::
333 * inviteURI : String starting with https://signal.group/#
335 Behavior of this method depends on the `requirePermission` parameter of the `enableLink` method.
336 If permission is required, `joinGroup` adds you to the requesting members list.
337 Permission may be granted based on the group's `PermissionAddMember` property (`ONLY_ADMINS` or `EVERY_MEMBER`).
338 If permission is not required, `joinGroup` admits you immediately to the group.
342 listGroups() -> groups<a(oays)>::
343 * groups : Array of Structs(objectPath, groupId, groupName)
344 ** objectPath : DBusPath
345 ** groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
346 ** groupName : String representing the display name of the group
348 sendGroupMessage(message<s>, attachments<as>, groupId<ay>) -> timestamp<x>::
349 * message : Text to send (can be UTF8)
350 * attachments : String array of filenames to send as attachments (passed as filename, so need to be readable by the user signal-cli is running under)
351 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
352 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding Signal reply
354 Exceptions: GroupNotFound, Failure, AttachmentInvalid, InvalidGroupId
356 sendGroupTyping(groupId<ay>, stop<b>) -> <>::
357 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
358 * stop : True, if typing state should be stopped
360 Exceptions: Failure, GroupNotFound, UntrustedIdentity
362 sendGroupMessageReaction(emoji<s>, remove<b>, targetAuthor<s>, targetSentTimestamp<x>, groupId<ay>) -> timestamp<x>::
363 * emoji : Unicode grapheme cluster of the emoji
364 * remove : Boolean, whether a previously sent reaction (emoji) should be removed
365 * targetAuthor : String with the phone number of the author of the message to which to react
366 * targetSentTimestamp : Long representing timestamp of the message to which to react
367 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
368 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding signal reply
370 Exceptions: Failure, InvalidNumber, GroupNotFound, InvalidGroupId
372 sendGroupRemoteDeleteMessage(targetSentTimestamp<x>, groupId<ay>) -> timestamp<x>::
373 * targetSentTimestamp : Long representing timestamp of the message to delete
374 * groupId : Byte array with base64 encoded group identifier
375 * timestamp : Long, can be used to identify the corresponding signal reply
377 Exceptions: Failure, GroupNotFound, InvalidGroupId
379 ==== Device related methods
381 addDevice(deviceUri<s>) -> <>::
382 * deviceUri : URI in the form of "sgnl://linkdevice?uuid=..." (formerly "tsdevice:/?uuid=...") Normally displayed by a Signal desktop app, smartphone app, or another signal-cli instance using the `link` control method.
384 getDevice(deviceId<x>) -> devicePath<o>::
385 * deviceId : Long representing a deviceId
386 * devicePath : DBusPath object for the device
388 Exceptions: DeviceNotFound
390 listDevices() -> devices<a(oxs)>::
391 * devices : Array of structs (objectPath, id, name)
392 ** objectPath : DBusPath representing the device's object path
393 ** id : Long representing the deviceId
394 ** name : String representing the device's name
396 Exceptions: InvalidUri
398 sendContacts() -> <>::
400 Sends a synchronization message with the local contacts list to all linked devices.
401 This command should only be used if this is the primary device.
405 sendSyncRequest() -> <>::
407 Sends a synchronization request to the primary device (for group, contacts, ...).
408 Only works if sent from a secondary device.
412 === Signal.Group interface
414 The following methods listen to the group's object path, which can be obtained from the listGroups() method and is constructed as follows:
416 <ACCOUNT_PATH> + "/Groups/" + DBusGroupId
418 DBusGroupId : groupId in base64 format, with underscore (_) replacing plus (+), equals (=), or slash (/)
420 Groups have the following (case-sensitive) properties:
422 * Id<ay> (read-only) : Byte array representing the internal group identifier
423 * Name<s> : Display name of the group
424 * Description<s> : Description of the group
425 * Avatar<s> (write-only) : Filename of the avatar
426 * IsBlocked<b> : true=member will not receive group messages; false=not blocked
427 * IsMember<b> (read-only) : always true (object path exists only for group members)
428 * IsAdmin<b> (read-only) : true=member has admin privileges; false=not admin
429 * MessageExpirationTimer<i> : int32 representing message expiration time for group
430 * Members<as> (read-only) : String array of group members' phone numbers
431 * PendingMembers<as> (read-only) : String array of pending members' phone numbers
432 * RequestingMembers<as> (read-only) : String array of requesting members' phone numbers
433 * Admins<as> (read-only) : String array of admins' phone numbers
434 * PermissionAddMember<s> : String representing who has permission to add members *ONLY_ADMINS, EVERY_MEMBER*
435 * PermissionEditDetails<s> : String representing who may edit group details *ONLY_ADMINS, EVERY_MEMBER*
436 * PermissionSendMessage<s> : String representing who post messages to group *ONLY_ADMINS, EVERY_MEMBER* (note that ONLY_ADMINS is equivalent to IsAnnouncementGroup)
437 * GroupInviteLink<s> (read-only) : String of the invitation link (starts with https://signal.group/#)
439 To get a property, use (replacing `--session` with `--system` if needed):
440 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Get string:org.asamk.Signal.Group string:$PROPERTY_NAME`
442 To set a property, use:
443 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Set string:org.asamk.Signal.Group string:$PROPERTY_NAME variant:$PROPERTY_TYPE:$PROPERTY_VALUE`
445 To get all properties, use:
446 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.GetAll string:org.asamk.Signal.Group`
448 addAdmins(recipients<as>) -> <>::
449 * recipients : String array of phone numbers
451 Grant admin privileges to recipients.
455 addMembers(recipients<as>) -> <>::
456 * recipients : String array of phone numbers
458 Add recipients to group if they are pending members; otherwise add recipients to list of requesting members.
462 disableLink() -> <>::
464 Disables the group's invitation link.
468 enableLink(requiresApproval<b>) -> <>::
469 * requiresApproval : true=add numbers using the link to the requesting members list
471 Enables the group's invitation link.
476 Exceptions: Failure, LastGroupAdmin
478 removeAdmins(recipients<as>) -> <>::
479 * recipients : String array of phone numbers
481 Remove admin privileges from recipients.
485 removeMembers(recipients<as>) -> <>::
486 * recipients : String array of phone numbers
488 Remove recipients from group.
494 Resets the group's invitation link to a new random URL starting with https://signal.group/#
498 === Signal.Device interface
500 The following methods listen to the device's object path, which is constructed as follows:
502 <ACCOUNT_PATH> + "/Devices/" + deviceId
504 deviceId : Number representing the device identifier (obtained from listDevices() method)
506 Devices have the following (case-sensitive) properties:
508 * Id<x> (read-only) : Long representing the device identifier
509 * Created<x> (read-only) : Long representing the number of milliseconds since the Unix epoch
510 * LastSeen<x> (read-only) : Long representing the number of milliseconds since the Unix epoch
511 * Name<s> : String representing the display name of the device
513 To get a property, use (replacing `--session` with `--system` if needed):
514 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Get string:org.asamk.Signal.Device string:$PROPERTY_NAME`
516 To set a property, use:
517 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Set string:org.asamk.Signal.Device string:$PROPERTY_NAME variant:$PROPERTY_TYPE:$PROPERTY_VALUE`
519 To get all properties, use:
520 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.GetAll string:org.asamk.Signal.Device`
522 removeDevice() -> <>::
526 === Signal.Configuration interface
528 The configuration's object path, which exists only for primary devices, is constructed as follows:
529 <ACCOUNT_PATH> + "/Configuration"
531 Configurations have the following (case-sensitive) properties:
533 * ReadReceipts<b> : should send read receipts (true/false)
534 * UnidentifiedDeliveryIndicators<b> : should show unidentified delivery indicators (true/false)
535 * TypingIndicators<b> : should send/show typing indicators (true/false)
536 * LinkPreviews<b> : should generate link previews (true/false)
538 To get a property, use (replacing `--session` with `--system` if needed):
539 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Get string:org.asamk.Signal.Configuration string:$PROPERTY_NAME`
541 To set a property, use:
542 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.Set string:org.asamk.Signal.Configuration string:$PROPERTY_NAME variant:$PROPERTY_TYPE:$PROPERTY_VALUE`
544 To get all properties, use:
545 `dbus-send --session --dest=org.asamk.Signal --print-reply $OBJECT_PATH org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties.GetAll string:org.asamk.Signal.Configuration`
549 SyncMessageReceived (timestamp<x>, sender<s>, destination<s>, groupId<ay>, message<s>, attachments<as>)::
550 * timestamp : Integer value that can be used to associate this e.g. with a sendMessage()
551 * sender : Phone number of the sender
552 * destination : DBus code for destination
553 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier (empty when private message)
554 * message : Message text
555 * attachments : String array of filenames in the signal-cli storage (~/.local/share/signal-cli/attachments/)
557 The sync message is received when the user sends a message from a linked device.
559 ReceiptReceived (timestamp<x>, sender<s>)::
560 * timestamp : Integer value that can be used to associate this e.g. with a sendMessage()
561 * sender : Phone number of the sender
563 This signal is sent by each recipient (e.g. each group member) after the message was successfully delivered to the device
565 MessageReceived(timestamp<x>, sender<s>, groupId<ay>, message<s>, attachments<as>)::
566 * timestamp : Integer value that is used by the system to send a ReceiptReceived reply
567 * sender : Phone number of the sender
568 * groupId : Byte array representing the internal group identifier (empty when private message)
569 * message : Message text
570 * attachments : String array of filenames in the signal-cli storage (~/.local/share/signal-cli/attachments/)
572 This signal is received whenever we get a private message or a message is posted in a group we are an active member
576 Send a text message (without attachment) to a contact::
577 dbus-send --print-reply --type=method_call --dest="org.asamk.Signal" /org/asamk/Signal org.asamk.Signal.sendMessage string:"Message text goes here" array:string: string:+123456789
579 Send a group message::
580 dbus-send --session --print-reply --type=method_call --dest=org.asamk.Signal /org/asamk/Signal org.asamk.Signal.sendGroupMessage string:'The message goes here' array:string:'/path/to/attachment1','/path/to/attachment2' array:byte:139,22,72,247,116,32,170,104,205,164,207,21,248,77,185
582 Print the group name corresponding to a groupId; the daemon runs on system bus, and was started without an explicit `-a ACCOUNT`::
583 dbus-send --system --print-reply --type=method_call --dest='org.asamk.Signal' /org/asamk/Signal/_1234567890 org.asamk.Signal.getGroupName array:byte:139,22,72,247,116,32,170,104,205,164,207,21,248,77,185
587 Maintained by AsamK <asamk@gmx.de>, who is assisted by other open source contributors.
588 For more information about signal-cli development, see
589 <https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli>.