# Towns Protocol 🏙️ > Permissionless, decentralized end to end encrypted chat network - 🔐 end-to-end encrypted messaging - privacy by design - 🌐 distributed, decentralized infrastructure - no single point of failure - 👥 programmable spaces - customizable on-chain communities - ⛓️ cross-chain ready - multi-chain permission system Towns Protocol is an open source protocol for building decentralized real-time messaging apps. Built on Base with an EVM-compatible L2 chain, it enables anyone to create and own programmable communication spaces with end-to-end encryption. Each space features on-chain memberships, an extendable reputation system, and cross-chain entitlements. [Read the Docs to Learn More](https://docs.towns.com) ## Contribution See [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md). ## License [MIT](LICENSE.txt).