NextGraph Build Collaborative Localfirst and Decen - Common Knowledge Scout

# NextGraph Collaborative and Decentralized App Framework > [! note]- > The content of this page is generated by audio/video transcription and text transformation from the content and links of this source. Source: [https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps/](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps/) <video src="https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps.av1.webm" controls></video> ## Summary & Highlights: NextGraph is an open-source ecosystem designed to facilitate the creation of collaborative, local-first, and decentralized applications. It provides a platform for end-users and a framework for developers, enabling live collaboration on documents, peer-to-peer communication, and secure data ownership. By utilizing CRDTs, NextGraph ensures strong eventual consistency and seamless syncing of semantic and structured data formats. The platform supports real-time collaboration and offline functionality, making it a robust solution for privacy-focused applications. **Introduction to NextGraph** NextGraph is introduced as a solution for building decentralized applications that prioritize collaboration, security, and data ownership. It is designed to work both online and offline, offering real-time collaboration and end-to-end encryption to ensure user privacy. **Technical Overview** The session discusses the technical aspects of NextGraph, highlighting its use of CRDTs for conflict-free data synchronization and its compatibility with various data formats. The platform's architecture eliminates the need for traditional client-server models, promoting a decentralized approach with brokers facilitating data exchange. **Applications and Use Cases** NextGraph's potential applications are explored, including its use in creating private social networks and managing personal data. The platform's flexibility allows developers to build a wide range of apps, from social to productivity tools, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and data portability. **Eco-Social Implications** The session underscores the significance of NextGraph in promoting eco-social transformation by empowering individuals with control over their digital lives. It addresses issues like data privacy, ownership, and decentralization, offering tools for eco-social designers to create more ethical and sustainable digital environments. ## Importance for an eco-social transformation NextGraph plays a vital role in eco-social transformation by offering tools that prioritize data privacy, ownership, and decentralization. This aligns with sustainable and ethical digital practices, empowering users to control their data in a world increasingly dominated by surveillance and data exploitation. For eco-social designers, NextGraph provides a framework to develop applications that respect user privacy and promote social equity. Challenges include overcoming technical barriers to adoption and ensuring broad accessibility. Socially, fostering a community around decentralized technologies can drive greater awareness and adoption. Politically, advocating for policies that support open-source and decentralized technologies can further bolster these efforts. ## Slides: | | | | --- | --- | | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_001.jpg\|300]] | The first slide introduces NextGraph and its core focus on building collaborative, local-first, and decentralized applications. It emphasizes the importance of data ownership and privacy through end-to-end encryption. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_002.jpg\|300]] | Slide 2 highlights the support from NLNet Foundation and the NGI Fund of the European Commission in developing NextGraph, showcasing the collaborative efforts behind the project. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_003.jpg\|300]] | The third slide presents the NextGraph sync protocol, which enables encrypted synchronization of data across decentralized applications, ensuring privacy and data integrity. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_004.jpg\|300]] | Slide 4 outlines the framework and SDK provided by NextGraph for developers, enabling the creation of decentralized applications with built-in support for secure data synchronization. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_005.jpg\|300]] | The fifth slide depicts the ecosystem of apps that can be built using the NextGraph framework, highlighting the versatility and potential for diverse application development. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_006.jpg\|300]] | Slide 6 indicates the current work-in-progress status of NextGraph, with an expected release date in mid-2025, inviting developers and users to engage with the project. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_007.jpg\|300]] | Slide 7 addresses the need for another protocol, emphasizing the unique features of NextGraph, such as local-first capabilities and enhanced privacy through encryption. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_008.jpg\|300]] | Slide 8 elaborates on the local-first approach of NextGraph, allowing applications to function offline and synchronize seamlessly when connectivity is restored. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_009.jpg\|300]] | Slide 9 reflects on the era of offline-only software, setting the stage for the transition to local-first applications that combine offline functionality with online collaboration. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_010.jpg\|300]] | Slide 10 discusses the shift from online-only applications to local-first solutions, highlighting the limitations of cloud-dependent software in terms of offline accessibility. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_011.jpg\|300]] | Slide 11 defines local-first as a combination of online and offline capabilities, enhanced by live collaboration features that allow users to work together in real-time. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_012.jpg\|300]] | Slide 12 introduces Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) as a key technology in NextGraph, enabling conflict-free data synchronization across decentralized networks. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_013.jpg\|300]] | Slide 13 continues to explore CRDTs, emphasizing their role in facilitating real-time collaboration and seamless data merging without conflicts. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_014.jpg\|300]] | Slide 14 focuses on end-to-end encryption, underscoring its importance for data ownership and privacy, and positioning NextGraph as a secure platform for decentralized applications. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_015.jpg\|300]] | Slide 15 highlights NextGraph's ability to transport any kind of CRDT, showcasing its flexibility in supporting diverse data types and applications. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_016.jpg\|300]] | Slide 16 mentions the upcoming support for Loro, a new CRDT, indicating NextGraph's commitment to expanding its capabilities and compatibility. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_017.jpg\|300]] | Slide 17 reiterates the upcoming support for Loro and CRDTs, emphasizing NextGraph's focus on providing robust data synchronization solutions. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_018.jpg\|300]] | Slide 18 lists supported data types, including JSON, RichText, Markdown, and PlainText, demonstrating NextGraph's versatility in handling various content formats. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_019.jpg\|300]] | Slide 19 introduces immutable binary files with content addressing and the ability to combine blocks, similar to Notion, enhancing NextGraph's data management capabilities. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_020.jpg\|300]] | Slide 20 presents NextGraph as a framework and SDK for app developers, highlighting its potential to simplify the development of decentralized applications. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_021.jpg\|300]] | Slide 21 mentions the upcoming support for reactive stores, which will allow developers to create dynamic user interfaces that respond to data changes in real-time. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_022.jpg\|300]] | Slide 22 reiterates the availability of the NextGraph SDK, providing developers with tools to integrate decentralized features into their applications. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_023.jpg\|300]] | Slide 23 highlights the future release of the NextGraph SDK, inviting developers to explore its capabilities and contribute to its development. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_024.jpg\|300]] | Slide 24 showcases the NextGraph app, which allows users to manage documents, install and launch apps, and organize their data securely. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_025.jpg\|300]] | Slide 25 details features such as encryption at rest, permission management, data search and sharing, and the creation of public, protected, and private stores. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_026.jpg\|300]] | Slide 26 discusses the move towards more private social networks, emphasizing the importance of privacy and security in online interactions. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_027.jpg\|300]] | Slide 27 is not summarized due to lack of specific content in the provided text. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_028.jpg\|300]] | Slide 28 discusses the end of the client-server model, highlighting NextGraph's decentralized approach to data management and application development. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_029.jpg\|300]] | Slide 29 questions the limitations of SaaS, federation, and self-hosting, suggesting NextGraph's decentralized model as a more resilient alternative. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_030.jpg\|300]] | Slide 30 is not summarized due to lack of specific content in the provided text. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_031.jpg\|300]] | Slide 31 emphasizes the elimination of single points of failure and the non-mandatory use of domain names in NextGraph's decentralized architecture. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_032.jpg\|300]] | Slide 32 questions the extent of decentralization in peer-to-peer networks, suggesting a balanced approach to ensure reliability and accessibility. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_033.jpg\|300]] | Slide 33 introduces brokers in NextGraph's two-tier network, which store and forward encrypted data, facilitating decentralized communication. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_034.jpg\|300]] | Slide 34 is not summarized due to lack of specific content in the provided text. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_035.jpg\|300]] | Slide 35 discusses data locality, availability, and the importance of backup and failover mechanisms in NextGraph's decentralized network. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_036.jpg\|300]] | Slide 36 introduces Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) as a means of providing sovereign identities and stable data references in NextGraph. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_037.jpg\|300]] | Slide 37 highlights data portability and durability, along with cryptographic capabilities that determine user permissions and access rights. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_038.jpg\|300]] | Slide 38 discusses compatibility with HTTP, allowing NextGraph to run services and web applications, including headless CMS solutions. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_039.jpg\|300]] | Slide 39 mentions compatibility with ActivityPods.org and Solid, indicating NextGraph's integration with existing decentralized web standards. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_040.jpg\|300]] | Slide 40 defines RDF as synonymous with the semantic web and linked data, emphasizing interoperability and the web of data. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_041.jpg\|300]] | Slide 41 is not summarized due to lack of specific content in the provided text. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_042.jpg\|300]] | Slide 42 explains RDF's structure based on triples, which can represent any data and facilitate automatic joins and relationships. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_043.jpg\|300]] | Slide 43 introduces SPARQL and GraphQL for querying RDF data, along with features like revision history and authenticity through signatures. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_044.jpg\|300]] | Slide 44 discusses potential future features like smart contracts, ACID transactions, GNU Taler integration, and blind queries. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_045.jpg\|300]] | Slide 45 highlights the versatility of NextGraph's SDK, enabling the development of social, data-centric, and collaborative applications. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_046.jpg\|300]] | Slide 46 calls for more cooperation between FOSS projects and better integration of applications to enhance the open-source ecosystem. | ![[FOSDEM 2025/assets/NextGraph-Build-collaborative-localfirst-and-decen/preview_047.jpg\|300]] | Slide 47 provides contact information for Nico and NextGraph, inviting attendees to connect via email, Mastodon, forum, or newsletter. ## Links [Slides of presentation](https://fosdem.org/2025/events/attachments/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps/slides/237986/fosdem_zM4fYPZ.pdf) [Video recording (AV1/WebM)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps.av1.webm) [Video recording (MP4)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/h1308/fosdem-2025-4922-nextgraph-build-collaborative-local-first-and-decentralized-apps.av1.mp4)