What is it?
IronMUD is a modern multi-user dungeon (MUD) server written in Rust. It pairs a classic room-based world with hot-reload scripting so builders can edit game content live without server restarts. Embedded database, optional Discord bridge, optional AI-assisted prose.
Modern features
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Hot-reload scripting & OLC
Edit Rhai scripts, rooms, items, and NPCs in-game. Changes apply live with no server restart.
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Embedded sled database
Single-binary deployment. Zero external dependencies. Run it anywhere.
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REST API
Loopback by default. Build companion tools and integrations on top.
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Discord bridge
Post game events to Discord. Bridge player chat. Keep the community in sync.
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AI-assisted building
Optional Claude integration for builders writing room descriptions, NPCs, and dialogue.
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Deep combat
Armor degrades. Damage type matters. Wounds and real consequences for fighting.
Classic MUD soul
Real-time combat, NPCs with daily routines, shops, crafting, fishing,
and player housing — playable in Mudlet, tintin++, Blightmud,
MUSHclient, or plain telnet.
How to play in 30 seconds
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1. Connect
telnet play.ironmud.games 4000 -
2. Create a character
create <name> <password>Telnet is unencrypted — pick a throwaway password.
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3. Explore
look exits north
For builders & operators
Single Rust binary with an embedded database. Clone, build, run, and start digging rooms in-game:
cargo build --release
./target/release/ironmud --port 4000
setbuilder on
dig north "A Room"
medit create "town guard"