This tutorial demonstrates how to set up a REST API for sending XMPP messages using Prosody IM. The guide walks through installing Prosody, configuring the mod_post_msg module, and creating an HTTP endpoint that accepts messages via curl commands. This approach provides an alternative to direct XMPP connections for applications that need to send status notifications or alerts.

The setup requires a Debian 13 system with a domain you control. After installing Prosody IM and the community modules, you configure a minimal Prosody instance that disables most XMPP functionality except the HTTP interface. The tutorial uses certbot to obtain Let's Encrypt certificates for HTTPS encryption. A sample curl command shows how to send a message to [email protected] using authentication credentials for a newly created XMPP account.

This solution proves particularly useful for integrating XMPP messaging into monitoring systems or scripts without requiring direct XMPP server connections. The mod_post_msg module supports both plain text and JSON payloads, making it flexible for various use cases. For production deployments, the guide suggests setting up certbot hooks to automatically refresh certificates and potentially placing the service behind a reverse proxy for additional security.