What is Katipo?

Katipo is an http alternative for creating, sharing, hosting, browsing and using apps, games, and websites.

What does "http alternative" mean?

"http://" stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol , and it forms the backbone of a collection of technologies that we use to browse the web and communicate over the internet every day.

"ktp://" is an alternative, short for katipo transfer protocol. It is actually an alternative to https, as all traffic sent over a katipo network is always secure and encrypted.

On the standard web, you use Chrome or Safari or similar to browse html sites and javascript apps over http/s, while on the Katipo web, you use Koru Browser to browse tui sites and apps over ktp.

Native apps can also be built on top of the Katipo platform, like Waraki Music Player.

Why do we need an alternative to http?

The web technologies we use have become much larger and more complex over time, which has made it harder to make apps and to keep them running.

More than this, the web is now less accessible than it used to be. It is now very difficult for new potential app developers to find a way into the ecosystem and make any impact. It is getting harder to learn how to make apps. We have resorted to using AI to make them for us, and that reliance is making things even worse.

But very often a simpler, smaller solution could suffice. Katipo can open up web development to a wider range of people. It can help more developers to create meaningful and useful apps that are then easier to share and maintain.

There are many different http web browsers, but internally they are different implementations of the same engine. Katipo is a different web engine design, and it could be one of many. If one person can make this, we could and should have many different small alternative web platforms to chose from, each with their own specialties.

Web browsers/protocols and multiplayer game engines are very similar technical problems. We have a wide range of bespoke little game engines, so why are we limiting ourselves to one giant web engine?

Who is making this and why?

Katipo, Koru, Waraki and Tui are totally free, open source, and released into the public domain.

Everything here is made without the use of or support for AI.

Katipo is being made by an experienced solo game developer as a passion project. It is being made for many reasons, but mostly out of frustration with the status quo, and a feeling of responsibility to make things better.

Technology's purpose should be to help people, not exploit them. That is at Katipo's core, and that is why it is free and open source.

What is the current status of this project?

As of August 2026, Katipo, Koru Browser and Waraki have just entered open beta.

The current focus is to refine the experience of both Koru Browser and Waraki, to get them to 1.0 and released on various stores.

How do I get involved?

If you see any (AI-free) way you can help, whether it be with coding, design, documentation, promotion, or anything at all, please get in touch.

There are currently no Katipo specific communities or social media accounts. These will be created within Katipo in time. But for now, you can follow Dave's personal accounts, have a look at or contribute to the github repositories, or just send Dave an email.

Links

- Developer (Dave) on bluesky
- Developer on Mastodon
- email Dave
- About Katipo
- Katipo on github
- Koru Browser/Waraki source on github
- Waraki app/site source code on github