Helmholtz Imaging moves to Matrix

We are transitioning our community chat from Mattermost to Matrix. The move follows the Helmholtz-wide shift towards Matrix as the new standard chat platform.

Please note: It is technically not possible to transfer your Mattermost message history to Matrix. The content of the channels will be archived. If there are important conversations or files you want to keep yourself, make sure to save them from Mattermost before the service is discontinued (until July 15 the latest).

Join our Imaging Community space on Matrix to start or continue exchanging with the community.

How to

Before you start: which account should you use?

Your Matrix ID depends on where you work. Do not mix private accounts with institutional use.

• KIT, CISPA, FZJ, GFZ members: you likely already have an institutional Matrix account. Use that one (see your center’s IT page).
• DLR members: your center’s own Matrix server is still being set up. Please follow your internal DLR communications for the timeline.
• All other Helmholtz members: create your account via the central HIFIS instance at matrix.helmholtz.cloud using your Helmholtz ID.
• External partners and guests: you can use a public Matrix provider such as Academic Cloud Chat (recommended for German academic users) or matrix.org. Ask your Helmholtz Imaging contact to invite you to the space once you have an account.

… if you are new to Matrix (and do not have an account yet)

1. Create or access your account

Go to matrix.helmholtz.cloud and log in via your Helmholtz ID. You can also use the Element desktop or mobile app (Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android). See the HIFIS guide on configuring Element if you go that route.

2. Save your recovery key immediately

This is the most important step. Matrix uses end-to-end encryption by default, which means if you lose your recovery key, nobody (not even HIFIS) can restore your chat history.

Right after your first login:

1. Click on your profile icon (top left) and go to All Settings → Encryption.
2. Generate and save your recovery key somewhere safe; a password manager is ideal.
3. Verify your session when prompted, either with the recovery key or from another open session.

3. Don’t log out; close the tab

Matrix keeps your session active as long as you don’t explicitly log out. Just close the browser tab or app window when you’re done. This ensures you can receive encrypted messages even when you’re offline. Sessions inactive for more than 120 days are closed automatically.

If you regularly clear cookies or browser storage, make matrix.helmholtz.cloud an exception so your settings and key store are preserved between sessions.

4. Join our Helmholtz Imaging community space

Once your account is set up and your recovery key is saved, join our imaging community space.

… if you already have an existing account

Join our Helmholtz Imaging Community space on Matrix to start or continue exchanging with the community.

There you’ll find one main room, our Imaging Community Town Square.

Currently, other community-based rooms are being set up. Stay tuned!

Questions?

For questions regarding the transition and/or Matrix, reach out to HIFIS at support@hifis.net.

For questions regarding the Helmholtz Imaging space, contact us at support@helmholtz-imaging.de.

Helpful resources

Many thanks to Helmholtz AI for their helpful overview article on the transition to Matrix and for allowing us to adapt parts of their information for the Helmholtz Imaging community.

HIFIS Open Hour: every Friday at 10:00 AM; drop in with questions (Zoom link, Meeting ID: 620 6808 2608, Code: 030485)

Getting started with Matrix

How to transfer your Mattermost content

Configuration of Your Matrix Client

Matrix FAQ