i2p-zero VS ire

Sounds like you're looking for i2p zero: https://github.com/i2p-zero/i2p-zero

I2P-zero:: A way to use I2P with Monero. You need to download a small programme and install; it on your computer. From what I understand if you use this, it makes your internet look like a cluster of random numbers and letters. Where no one can tell where you are or what you are doing online. Thing is you need to download it for it to work.

No, Monero does not use kovri, kovri is dead for a long time already; the (maybe quite few) Monero users that are into I2P probably use I2P-zero.

There has been some drama with I2p, however it has been resolved and jtgrassie and knaccc managed to build I2p zero which doesn't require the Java VM: https://github.com/i2p-zero/i2p-zero

I2P-Zero Releases

This is not true, it's an important distinction to make. node-i2p is a SAMv3.1 library, which is a control protocol we use to bridge I2P applications with the router itself. All useful I2P routers implement the SAM API, but you need to install an I2P router before using it. To make this easy and portable, bundle i2p-zero or link i2pd with your application.

Setting up the node I followed these two guides: 1 & 2 my only major difference is that I am using i2pd (and have also tested with standard Java i2p with same results)

Thanks Matthias. I don't know enough C++ to be of any real use to I2Pd, but I have been very curious about Rust. One of the former Java I2P developers - str4d is working on a router implemented in Rust - https://github.com/str4d/ire

There are other I2P implementations in development using other languages like C++, Rust, Haskell, Go. I2Pd (C++) is ready for production use. IRE (Rust) not so much, but you can help out at https://github.com/str4d/ire . u/alreadyburnt can tell more about the Go router(s).