Tail Talk is a modern async user space AppleTalk stack built with Rust and Tokio, designed as a toolkit for fully userspace implementations on Linux, macOS, and Windows via EtherTalk or LocalTalk networks. It requires zero dependencies on Netatalk or kernel drivers, needing only a raw socket and/or Tash Talk compatible device. The stack supports multiple concurrent instances and includes a GUI for Tash Talk USB with AFP server, Stuff-It archive import, floppy disk image loading, and printer sharing as AirPrint/IPP or to classic Macs.

Currently routerless-only, work progresses for router-present network support. Features include full async APIs for AARP, DDP, NBP, ATP, ASP, AFP, and Data Stream Protocol. The AARP/DDP underlay can run in-process or via shared daemon tailtalkd over protobuf on Unix/UDP sockets.

Building requires Rust 1.90+, cargo-packager, and on Windows, the npcap SDK. Binaries are built via cargo build --release and packaged with cargo packager for AppImage, macOS bundles, or NSIS installers. Tash Talk USB uses a Silicon Labs CP210x USB-to-UART bridge (VID 10c4, PID ea60).

Latest release available on GitHub.