NATS Server Documentation
Build fast, scalable, and resilient distributed systems with the high-performance messaging server trusted by cloud and edge applications worldwide.
Quick Start
Get NATS Server up and running in minutes
Download and install
Install NATS Server using Docker, or download the binary for your platform.docker pull nats:latest
docker run -p 4222:4222 -p 8222:8222 nats:latest
Start the server
Launch NATS Server with default settings or provide a configuration file.The server listens on port 4222 for client connections and 8222 for monitoring by default.
Verify it's running
Check server status using the monitoring endpoint.curl http://localhost:8222/varz
Connect a client
Use any of the 40+ NATS client libraries to connect and start messaging.nc, _ := nats.Connect(nats.DefaultURL)
nc.Publish("hello", []byte("world"))
Explore by topic
Deep dive into NATS Server capabilities
Deployment
Deploy NATS Server with Docker, Kubernetes, or as a standalone binary
Architecture
Understand clustering, gateways, accounts, and multi-tenancy
JetStream
Enable persistence, streaming, and exactly-once delivery semantics
MQTT Support
Connect MQTT 3.1.1 and 5.0 devices to your NATS infrastructure
Security
Secure your deployment with TLS, NKeys, JWT, and authorization
Monitoring
Monitor server health, performance, and observe message flows
Key features
What makes NATS Server powerful
High Performance
Built in Go for exceptional throughput and low latency, handling millions of messages per second
JetStream Persistence
Stream storage, replay, and exactly-once delivery with built-in clustering and replication
Decentralized Security
Zero-trust architecture with NKeys, JWT-based authentication, and multi-tenancy via accounts
Global Distribution
Build super-clusters spanning multiple regions with gateway connections for global reach
Community and support
Get help and connect with the NATS community
Slack Community
Join the active NATS community on Slack for questions and discussions
GitHub
Report issues, contribute code, and track development progress
Google Groups
Ask questions and engage with community members on Google Groups
Ready to get started?
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