bitlbee
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Description:
IRC to other chat networks gateway
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 3.6@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Networking
Tags: irc gateway chat xmpp matrix bridge
Install: brew install bitlbee
About:
Bitlbee is an IRC server that acts as a gateway to other chat networks, allowing users to connect to services like XMPP, Matrix, and Slack using any standard IRC client. It unifies multiple chat accounts into a single interface, providing a consistent and lightweight communication experience. This makes it ideal for users who prefer the IRC protocol or need to bridge modern chat services into a classic environment.
Key Features:
  • Multi-protocol gateway for IRC, XMPP, Matrix, and more
  • Unified chat interface via standard IRC clients
  • Support for group chats and private messaging
  • Secure connections with SSL/TLS support
  • Extensible with plugins and scripts
Use Cases:
  • Bridging modern chat platforms (like Slack or Matrix) into an IRC workflow
  • Managing multiple chat accounts from a single, lightweight client
  • Maintaining a persistent chat gateway on a home server
Alternatives:
  • matterbridge – More modern and actively maintained, supports a wider range of protocols, but runs as a standalone bridge rather than an IRC server.
  • purple – A libpurple-based gateway often used via finch or Pidgin; more focused on client-side multi-protocol support rather than server-side IRC integration.
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Dependencies: glib, gnutls, libgcrypt, libgpg-error
Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, sonoma, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 14, 2025 2:54pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 5302b680