Doors
A door is a single-user game (or utility) the BBS launches as a
sub-process. Originals were DOS programs talking to the BBS via a
fake COM port; today there's a wider menagerie.
Door types ANetBBS supports
| Type | What it is | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
web |
Native HTML/JS — runs in the browser, no shell-out | 2048, Wordle |
door_rlogin |
Remote Synchronet game server | LORD, TradeWars on a partner BBS |
door_dos |
DOS executable via DOSBox-staging + TCP nullmodem bridge | LORD locally |
door_native |
Linux native binary speaking DOOR.SYS | various forks |
Playing
- Web:
/games/— game list. Pick one and play in the browser
(web games) or in a Web Terminal popup (terminal games). - Terminal: main menu — usually under a "Games" or "Doors" sub-menu.
Dropfiles
Terminal doors expect a dropfile — a text file with the user's
name, time remaining, baud rate, etc. ANetBBS writes the major
formats automatically right before launch:
DOOR.SYS— almost-universalDORINFOx.DEF— Synchronet-flavoredEXITINFO.BBS— Renegade/Telegard
Stored in each door's working directory; cleared on launch.
Don't touch the door's working dir
ANetBBS deliberately does not sweep files inside a door's
working directory between launches. Some doors keep persistent
node-specific state in files named like NODE1.DAT that look like
lockfiles but are actually config. Sysops who run an aggressive
cleanup will break the door.
Adding a door
See Door Setup for the long version.