VWMUD Master 2026 is a MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) client designed to provide a modern and reliable experience for players of text-based multiplayer games. Built on .NET 8, it remains compatible with the original .mud configuration files and .tri trigger scripts from its predecessor, ensuring existing character setups and automation scripts continue to work without changes.
Key Features:
Legacy Compatibility: Fully supports legacy .mud (INI-style config) and .tri (curly-brace trigger) files, allowing users to keep their established configurations and scripts.
Secure Connections: Supports telnet and SSL protocols for stable and secure connections to MUD servers, ensuring reliable gameplay.
Scripting Automation: Includes a scripting DSL for creating complex automation routines, helping players streamline in-game tasks.
Modern Architecture: Uses a hexagonal architecture for improved performance and responsiveness compared to its predecessor.
Portable Deployment: Available as a portable application via WinGet, making it easy to install and run across different environments.
Target Audience and Benefits:
Ideal for MUD enthusiasts who want a reliable client that preserves their existing workflows. Players benefit from a smooth transition to modern features while maintaining compatibility with familiar tools and scripts. The integration with WinGet simplifies deployment and updates, making it easier than ever to stay current with the latest improvements.
VWMUD Master 2026 is available via the Windows Package Manager. You can install it using the winget command line or deploy it through automated systems, ensuring seamless updates for MUD clients.
README
VWMUD Master 2026
A modernized rebuild of VWMUD Master, a MUD client originally written by
Vaughan Wynne-Jones from 1994-2007 in VB.NET/WinForms. This rebuild targets
.NET 8 using a hexagonal (ports-and-adapters) architecture, while staying
compatible with the original .mud (INI-style config) and .tri
(curly-brace trigger) file formats and scripting DSL - existing character
configs and trigger files keep working unchanged.
Screenshots
Main window
Timers & Function Keys
Custom Variables
Download
Option 1: winget (recommended)
winget install VaughanWynneJones.VWMUD2026
This installs the app as a portable package and adds a vwmud2026 command
you can run from any shell, and winget upgrade will pick up future
releases automatically. The package is
pending review in the winget-pkgs community repo -
first-time submissions go through manual moderation, so this may take a few
days to become available after each new version ships. Until then, use
Option 2.
Option 2: Manual download
Prebuilt Windows (win-x64) releases are available under
Releases - download the zip, extract, and run
VWMUD2026.exe. Requires the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime
if it isn't already installed.
"Windows protected your PC" / unknown publisher
This build isn't code-signed (a signing certificate is a paid, ongoing
commitment - not yet justified for a free hobby project), so Windows
SmartScreen flags it as coming from an unrecognized publisher on first run.
This happens either way - installing via winget doesn't avoid it, since
the warning is tied to the exe file itself, not how it was delivered. This
is expected for small/free Windows software in general, not a sign anything
is wrong. To run it anyway: click More info, then Run anyway on the
SmartScreen dialog. You'll only see this once per machine.
Documentation
The full trigger/alias/variable scripting reference and a tour of the
current UI is in VWMud2026/docs/vwmudhelp2026.html -
also reachable from the running app's Help > Documentation menu (or F1).
Building from source
dotnet build VWMud2026/VWMud.sln
dotnet test VWMud2026/VWMud.sln
