HexChat is a GTK-based IRC client derived from XChat. It provides a traditional desktop interface for connecting to multiple IRC networks, joining channels and holding private conversations.
The client supports automatic connection and identification, SASL authentication, proxies, DCC transfers and extensive interface customization. Its plugin and scripting system can also extend the client using Python, Perl and Lua.
Development ended with version 2.16.2 in February 2024. The project’s repository is archived and read-only, although existing packages remain available in some Linux distributions.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Connect to multiple IRC networks simultaneously with automatic connection, channel joining and identification.
- SASL authentication for networks that support it.
- DCC file transfers and direct chat connections.
- Proxy support for IRC connections.
- Extensible through plugins and scripts written in Python, Perl and Lua.
- Customizable interface, themes, fonts, colours and keyboard shortcuts.
- Spell checking using Enchant.
- Configurable URL handling and automatic text replacement.
- Channel, server and user-list notifications.
- IRCv3 support added across later releases.
- Internationalized interface with translations for numerous languages.
Website: hexchat.github.io
Support:
Developer: Berke Viktor, TingPing and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
HexChat is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
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| MERK | Cross-platform graphical IRC client |
| Srain | Modern IRC client written in GTK |
| HexChat | Multi-network IRC client based on XChat |
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| Grumpy | Advanced IRC client |
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| Communi | Simple and elegant cross-platform IRC client |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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