The Lounge
A modern web IRC client that stays connected even when you're offline, with push notifications and a responsive interface.
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A self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected even when you're offline, with push notifications.
Core Features
- Always connected: stay in IRC channels even after closing the browser
- Push notifications: get alerts on new messages in real-time
- Link previews: automatically show content from URLs
- Cross-device sync: pick up conversations from any device seamlessly
- Responsive design: works smoothly on desktop, tablet, and phone
What It Can't Do
- •Never run The Lounge as root for security reasons. 2. For production, use Docker or official packages, not the source code (unstable). 3. Requires Node.js LTS; older versions may not work.
Use Cases
- Team communication for developers, as an alternative to Slack or Discord
- Open-source communities providing a web interface for their IRC channels
- Individuals who need a persistent IRC connection for monitoring or bots
Detailed Introduction
The Lounge is a self-hosted web IRC client designed for the 21st century. It remains connected to your IRC servers even after you close the browser, so you never miss a message. It features push notifications, link previews, message markers, and a synchronized experience across all devices. Built with Node.js, it runs on any platform and can be easily deployed via Docker or npm. Perfect for teams, communities, or individuals who want a reliable, always-on IRC experience without relying on third-party services.
Troubleshooting & FAQ (1)
TroubleshootingHow to fix the 'Add user' feature being broken in The Lounge?
The 'Add user' functionality was broken due to a bug. This has been fixed in pull request #4592. Update The Lounge to the latest version (or at least a version containing that PR) to resolve the issue. If you cannot update immediately, you can manually apply the changes from the PR as a temporary workaround. Check the PR for specific code modifications.
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Getting Started
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Install the software
Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts
Step 1: Install Docker (recommended) or Node.js LTS
Step 2: Run Docker container: docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -v ~/.thelounge:/var/opt/thelounge thelounge/thelounge
Step 3: Open http://localhost:9000 in browser, set up admin account, and start chatting
- Step 1: Install Docker (recommended) or Node.js LTS
- Step 2: Run Docker container: docker run -d -p 9000:9000 -v ~/.thelounge:/var/opt/thelounge thelounge/thelounge
- Step 3: Open http://localhost:9000 in browser, set up admin account, and start chatting
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Open Source Transparency
View GitHub SourceUninstall Info
If using Docker: stop container (docker stop <name>), remove container (docker rm <name>), then delete configuration directory ~/.thelounge. If installed via npm: run 'npm uninstall -g thelounge' and manually remove ~/.thelounge for user data.
No Extra Dependencies
Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.
Having issues? Check the FAQ below
1 FAQ
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