IRC

repo: davisonio/awesome-irc
category: Miscellaneous

Awesome IRC

A curated list of awesome IRC resources.

A list of tools, software & other resources related to the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is an open source protocol that can be used for multi-user text based communication through channels.

Contents

• Clients
• Bouncers
  • Hosted
  • Self-hosted
• Daemons
• Services
• Bots
• Encryption
• Frameworks
  • Bridges
• Channels
  • Discovery
  • Platforms
• Networks
• Articles
• Guides
• Protocol
• Miscellaneous

Clients

You use these to connect to IRC.

• Textual - Very customizable, ZNC integration, iCloud sync ($4.99). (source) macOS
• LimeChat - One window for multiple servers, keyboard shortcuts, fast & stable. (source) macOS iOS
• HexChat - Based on XChat, easy to use, spell check & multiple languages. (source) [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows) macOS [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)
• gamja - A simple IRC web client. (source) Web
• Kiwi IRC - Powerful modern IRC messenger for the web. (source, demo) Web
• CIRC - Uses the chrome.sockets APIs to connect directly to IRC servers without needing a proxy. (source) Chrome
• Quassel - Distributed (clients can attach to and detach from a central core that stays permanently online. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows)
• Circe - For use in Emacs, sane defaults. [Emacs](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/editors/emacs)
• Smuxi - User-friendly, based on GNOME / GTK+. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows) macOS
• KvIRC - Free, portable, based on Qt GUI toolkit. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows)
• Konversation - User-friendly client built on the KDE Platform. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)
• sic - Simple IRC client - a terminal client in less than 250 lines of C. [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS
• irssi - Terminal client, multi-protocol friendly for module authors, GPLv2. [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS Cygwin BSD
• Revolution IRC - Feature-full, actively maintained Android IRC client. [Android](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/android)
• AdiIRC - Never has a client offered such granular settings for every aspect of the IRC experience. (features, screenshots) [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows) WINE
• [ IRC for Android™](https://www.countercultured.net/android/) - Android/Chrome OS client for power users, with ZNC built-ins, notification logic, reliable DCC, keybinds for hardware keyboards, etc. Android ChromeOS
• Iridium - Friendly IRC client built in Vala and GTK, designed for elementary OS. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)
• mIRC - One of the most popular IRC clients for Windows, with a built-in scripting language. [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows)
• ObsidianIRC - Modern WebSocket IRC client with Discord-like UI. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows) macOS [Android](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/android) iOS Web
• XChat - Precursor to HexChat, multi-platform graphical IRC client. [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)
• ircII - One of the oldest IRC clients, initially released in 1989. [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS
• BitchX - Terminal-based client popular on Unix-like systems. (screenshots) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows)
• Goguma - An IRC client for mobile devices, from the creator of soju. [Android](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/android) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)

More? Clients that include bouncers are found below.

Bouncers

Useful for disconnecting and reconnecting without losing the chat session.

Hosted

• IRCCloud - Group chat for teams, friends, and communities. stay connected, chat from anywhere, and never miss a message (+client) (£0-£3.50/month).
  • iOS App - Official. Objective-C
  • Android App - Official. [Java](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/java)
  • Nimbus - Standalone client. macOS Objective-C

Self-hosted

• Convos - Always online web IRC client. (source) [Perl](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/perl) [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript) Web
• ZNC - Most popular. many different plugins. (source) C++
• BIP IRC Proxy - Always online, lightweight and secure Open Source IRC proxying with backlogging. (source) C
• TheLounge - Responsive, self-hosted & support for multiple users. (source, demo) [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript) [Node.js](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/node-js) Web
• WeeChat - A fast, light and extensible chat client. (source) [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux) macOS
• soju - A user-friendly IRC bouncer. Go
• sms-webhook - A simple webhook to receive SMS messages on IRC. Go
• psyBNC - Multi-user, permanent IRC bouncer with encryption support. [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux)

Daemons

Used for running your own IRC server or network.

• ircd.js - Server will allow clients to connect, join channels, change topics; basic stuff.
• InspIRCd - Modular, stable, written from scratch. (source)
• miniircd - Very simple and limited.
• ngIRCd - Portable and lightweight for small or private networks. (source)
• Ergo - Modern server that's portable and designed around specifications (bleeding-edge IRCv3 support). (source)
• UnrealIRCd - Modular, advanced IRCd serving thousands of networks since 1999. (source)
• RobustIRC - IRC server without netsplits. (source)

Services

Used to provide user accounts and bots like NickServ/ChanServ to your network.

• Atheme - Designed for large networks with high scalability requirements. (source)
• anope - Designed for flexibility and ease of use. (source)

Bots

IRC users which provide services for humans, e.g. integrations or information.

• Eggdrop - Oldest IRC bot still in active development. Feature rich, uses Tcl scripting. (source) C
• Sopel - Tonnes of ready made features, tutorial, fully documented. (source) [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Limnoria - Robust, user friendly, developer friendly. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Twitch Plays - Takes input from the chat and presses the corresponding key. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Skybot - Main goals are simplicity and power. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• lazybot - User-friendly and powerful. [Clojure](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/clojure)
• IRC-BF - Brainfuck
• geordi - Compiles and runs C++ code snippets. C++
• CloudBot - Simple, fast, expandable. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• yossarian-bot - Large default plugin set, Cinch-based. [Ruby](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/ruby)
• helga - Pluggable chat bot supporting multiple protocols. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• EveIRC - Extendable chat/channel/server-managenent service-providing bot. Using the Cinch Framework. [Ruby](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/ruby)
• BitBot - Modular, event-driven bot featuring a REST API, individual user settings and much more. (bitbot.dev) [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Cardinal - Python Twisted IRC bot with a focus on ease of plugin development. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• pyHoneybot - Python Twisted IRC bot with a focus on ease of plugin development. (source) Python
• wayback - An archiving tool with an IRC interface integrated with various archiving services.
• milla - New generation LLM-powered bot with lua scripting support. Go

Encryption

Plugins and tools for encrypting IRC messages.

• irssi-otr - Off-the-Record (OTR) messaging plugin for irssi. C
• weechat-otr - Off-the-Record (OTR) messaging plugin for WeeChat. [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• FiSH-irssi - Blowfish encryption in ECB/CBC modes with Diffie-Hellman key exchange for irssi. C

Frameworks

Helpful to write bots or integrate IRC with applications.

• node-irc [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• goirc - Event-based, stateful, lacking documentation. Go
• Hubot IRC Adapter - The IRC adapter for hubot. [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• go-ircevent - Event-based. Go
• slate-irc - Plugin system, simple api, arbitrary input stream, debug support. [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• PircBotX - Event based IRC Library with a straightforward API (updated fork of PircBot). [Java](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/java)
• IRC::Client - Perl6 based extendable IRC client framework.
• irccd - Flexible IRC bot customizable with JavaScript. C++.

Bridges

Sends messages back and forth.

• discord-irc - Discord ↔ IRC. [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• dibridge - Discord ↔ IRC (with puppets) [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Dis4IRC - Discord ↔ IRC. [Kotlin](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/kotlin)
• slack-irc - Slack ↔ IRC. [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• irc-slack - Slack ↔ IRC. Go
• BitlBee - XMPP, Jabber, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, ICQ, Twitter API, HipChat ↔ IRC. C
• teleirc - Telegram ↔ IRC. [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• toxirc - Tox ↔ IRC. C
• skyweb2irc - Skype (webclient API) ↔ IRC. [Javascript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• matterbridge - IRC ↔ Mattermost ↔ Discord ↔ XMPP ↔ Gitter ↔ Slack ↔ Discord ↔ Telegram ↔ etc. Go
• Heisenbridge - Bouncer-style Matrix IRC bridge [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python)
• Appservice-IRC - Gateway and bridge Matrix ↔ IRC [Javascript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript)
• matterircd - Matterbridge ↔ IRC, Slack ↔ IRC, Mastodon ↔ IRC. Go

Channels

IRC channels.

Discovery

• netsplit.de Search - Searches 563 different networks.
• KiwiIRC Search - Searches 318 different networks.

Platforms

• #Ubuntu@Libera.Chat - Official Ubuntu support channel. (rules)

Networks

A collection of IRC servers is known as a network.

• Libera.Chat - Network mostly focused on free and open source projects, run by former freenode staff.
• Snoonet - Community of redditors and subreddits. (rules)
• OFTC - Community for free and open source software communities.
• LibertaCasa - Privacy endorsing community serving as a safe and open space for the discussion of various topics.

Articles

Articles and blog posts about IRC.

• [Please don't use Slack for FOSS projects](https://drewdevault.com/2015/11/01/Please-stop-using-slack.html) - Drew DeVault's Blog.
• IRC is dead, long live IRC - Pingdom.
• IRC Has Lost 60% Of Its Users Since 2003, But Life As A Robot Is Just Beginning - Alex Williams (TechCrunch).

Guides

How-to's, documentation and books.

• #irchelp - A vast amount of reasonably up-to-date information.

Protocol

Information and resources about the IRC protocol itself.

• IRCv3 Working Group - A group of IRC software authors working to enhance, improve, maintain and standardize the IRC protocol. (source)
• Modern IRC Documents - An attempt to write an update to the original IRC protocol. documentation (source)
• IRC Definition Files - Lists of numerics, modes, ISUPPORT tokens and other protocol details. (source)
• grawity's IRC docs - Collection of misc IRC protocol documentation.
• Protocol Statistics - Statistics around the server software in use on networks today. (source)
• IRC Parser Tests - A CC0 set of test suites, to ensure IRC message parsers are consistent.

Miscellaneous

Items that belong on the list but defy classification.

• superseriousstats - Fast and efficient program to create statistics out of various types of chat logs. PHP Web
• img2src - Convert images to halfblock ANSI or IRC, with a bunch of post-processing filters. [Rust](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/rust)

Use

The best ways to use this list are:

• By browsing the contents
• By using <kbd>command</kbd> + <kbd>F</kbd> to search the contents

This list also uses tags to help when searching the contents:

• Language - [Python](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/python), [Java](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/java), C++, Go, [JavaScript](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/javascript), [Ruby](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/programming-languages/ruby), C etc.
• Platform - Web, macOS, [Windows](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/windows), [Linux](/@harrisonqian/awesome/wiki/platforms/linux), Chrome etc.

Credits

By Craig Davison and contributors.