ERC is an IRC client integrated into GNU Emacs. It allows users to participate in IRC conversations without leaving their editor, making it useful for developers and other users who spend much of their time working in Emacs.
The application represents each channel and private conversation as a separate Emacs buffer. This allows users to move between conversations using familiar Emacs commands while retaining access to the editor’s navigation, searching and customisation facilities.
ERC is written in Emacs Lisp and can be extended using custom functions. Its channel-tracking system highlights activity in background buffers, helping users follow conversations while concentrating on other work.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Connect to multiple IRC servers and channels.
- Separate Emacs buffers for channels and private conversations.
- Channel activity tracking through the Emacs mode line.
- Configurable highlighting of nicknames, keywords and messages.
- Automatic joining of specified channels.
- Nickname and command completion.
- Conversation timestamps and input history.
- Clickable URLs and other recognised text.
- Notification of user activity and changes in channel state.
- Flood protection and detection of network splits.
- Custom commands and scripting using Emacs Lisp.
- Configurable message formatting and multilingual text support.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.emacswiki.org/emacs/ERC
Support:
Developer: Gergely Nagy, Adrian Aichner, Andreas Fuchs, Benjamin Drieu and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Related Software
| Console IRC Clients | |
|---|---|
| WeeChat | Lightweight, extensible IRC client with extensive scripting support |
| Irssi | Highly configurable terminal IRC client with themes and scripting |
| glirc | Advanced client maintaining a model of the IRC connection state |
| tiny | Rust IRC client with mention tracking and configurable notifications |
| ERC | Powerful, modular, and extensible IRC client for Emacs |
| ircII | Long-established IRC client with multi-server and scripting support |
| ScrollZ | Advanced ircII-based IRC client |
| ircc | A single C file which implements a usable IRC client |
| senpai | Modern IRC client designed for bouncers and message history |
| rcirc | Lightweight Emacs IRC client with channel tracking and customisation. |
| EPIC | Based on ircII, EPIC excels at scripting |
| catgirl | Lightweight, security-focused terminal IRC client |
| zuse | Minimal IRC client written in Go using Bubble Tea |
| rirc | Minimalistic IRC client |
| kirc | Tiny IRC client |
| Swirc | Console based ICB and IRC client |
| Xaric | Traditional ircII-derived IRC client with extensive functionality |
| insomnia | tmux-based text interface for the hii IRC client |
| ii | Minimalist FIFO and filesystem-based IRC client |
| hii | tmux-based text interface for the hii IRC client |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.