zca-desktop

zca-desktop is an unofficial desktop client for Zalo, a messaging app popular in Vietnam. It is built with Tauri and Rust for the application core and SvelteKit for the user interface. A signed macOS app is available today; Windows and Linux support is planned. Because this is not affiliated with Zalo or its parent company VNG, using it carries real risk: your account could be rate-limited, suspended, or permanently banned, and it may violate Zalo's terms of service.

The local desktop mode covers the core features you would expect from a messaging client. You can log in by scanning a QR code, manage multiple Zalo accounts at once, send and receive text messages, stickers, reactions, and quoted replies, and browse contacts and group conversations. Messages and account data are stored locally in SQLite with encryption. Credentials are kept in the operating system's keychain rather than exposed to the web view layer.

An optional self-hosted cloud backend lets users keep Zalo sessions running on a server rather than requiring the desktop app to stay open. The backend is also written in Rust, uses Postgres for storage, and works with S3-compatible object storage for media files. It handles QR login, session management, and encrypted credential storage for hosted accounts. Real-time messages reach the desktop through a server-sent events stream.

Several areas are still in progress. Attachment sending in local mode is not yet complete. Media delivery through the cloud path is implemented but needs further hardening. Windows and Linux installers are on the roadmap. Multi-device coexistence with official Zalo clients is designed for but not fully validated.

The project is released under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 license, meaning commercial use is not allowed without a separate agreement. The README recommends reading a separate disclaimer file before using the app with any account that matters to you.