pirc is a minimal, single-instance IRC server that is written in Python, using only the standard library and a minimum of abstraction.

Note: pirc does not use or support encryption, so never use it for anything important!

python pirc.py <host/IP>[:<port>] [<MOTD file>]

Port and MOTD file are optional (default port is 6667). Example: python pirc.py localhost:1234 motd.txt or python pirc.py localhost.

Basically, I wanted a chat server that I could use from old/slow/vintage computers.

Specifically:

• IRC works on vintage computers
• I wanted an IRC server that didn't broadcast users' hostnames by default
• Self-hosting is virtuous
• Discord is huge and slow (at least on my old computer)
• I was just curious how simple an IRC server could be

• Does not expose connected users' hostnames to everyone on the network (by default!)
• Supports channels (creating, listing, joining, leaving)
• Supports "private" messages (note: not actually private due to there being no encryption!)

• Only supports a single instance
• No encryption
• No user accounts or authentication
• No concept of operators

• Consider implementing topic management

• https://modern.ircdocs.horse/
• https://ircv3.net/specs/extensions/capability-negotiation.html
• http://chi.cs.uchicago.edu/chirc/irc_examples.html