FulDC++ guide
How to use FulDC++, and what every part of the client actually does.
FulDC++ is a direct connect client for Windows. Direct connect is a file-sharing network built around hubs: a hub is a chat room with a file index attached. You join a hub, you share some folders, and you can search everyone else on that hub and download straight from them — no central server holds the files, and there are no trackers or torrents involved.
If you have used AirDC++, StrongDC++ or DC++ before, everything here will look familiar; FulDC++ is built on the AirDC++ core and adds a true dark theme, rich-text chat, an in-client browser and a pile of quality-of-life features. If you have never used a direct connect client at all, start at Getting started and read straight through — the first four chapters are enough to be up and downloading.
Chapters
Getting started
Downloading and installing, portable versus installed, the eight-page setup wizard, and connecting to your first hub.
Chapter 2The main window
The menu bar, the toolbar buttons, tabs, the transfer pane at the bottom and every panel in the status bar.
Chapter 3Hubs & chat
Finding hubs, favourites and groups, hub chat, the user list, private messages and the full list of chat commands.
Chapter 4Searching
Searching every hub at once, filters and search types, plus auto search, ADL search and the search spy.
Chapter 5Downloading
The download queue, bundles, priorities, finding more sources, browsing someone's file list and scanning finished downloads.
Chapter 6Sharing
Choosing what to share, share profiles, hashing, upload slots and how other people see your files.
Chapter 7Settings tour
Every category and page in the settings dialog, in the order you meet them, and what the options there change.
Chapter 8FulDC++ extras
The parts you will not find in other clients: rich text chat, attachments, the browser tab, dark mode, auto-recovery, backups and more.
Chapter 9Remote & web UI
Turning on the web server so you can drive FulDC++ from a browser, a phone or another computer — and the extensions that run on it.
Chapter 10Troubleshooting
Slow or dead downloads, ports and passive mode, encryption, hashing, logs, and what to do after a crash.
Conventions used here
File → Settings
A path in bold like this is a menu route: open the File menu, then choose Settings. Settings pages are written the same way, for example Settings → Sharing → Hashing.
Ctrl+S
Keys to press. Where a shortcut exists it is given next to the menu route.
FulDC++ only
Features marked this way do not exist in AirDC++ or DC++ — they are specific to FulDC++, which is usually why they are not documented anywhere else.