How to Set Up Your Own IRC Server on Raspberry Pi: Step-by-Step Guide

Since the 1980s, IRC has powered vibrant online communities, including Twitch's chat system. Today, with countless IRC clients and servers available, you can easily host your own using a Raspberry Pi.

In this expert guide, drawn from years of Raspberry Pi projects and server setups, we'll show you how to transform your Pi into a reliable IRC server.

Why Set Up Your Own IRC Server?

Running your own server offers two key benefits:

1. Full Control Over the Chat Experience

Assign moderators, create custom channels, and ban trolls, bots, or spammers. Reclaim your online conversations from disruptions.

2. Own Your Data

Avoid third-party risks like data leaks, sales, or ads. Control usernames, emails, and chat logs completely.

What You'll Need

To follow this tutorial:

• Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS
• Compatible power cable
• External keyboard and access to your Pi
• HDMI or micro HDMI cable (model-dependent)
• External monitor
• Ethernet cable (if not using Wi-Fi)

Getting Started: Configure Your Raspberry Pi

Connect power and peripherals. Boot up, ensure internet access, then update via Terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt -y upgrade

Restart if updates install, then proceed.

Install ircd-hybrid Server

Use ircd-hybrid for a robust IRC daemon. Install with:

sudo apt install ircd-hybrid

This may take time—grab a coffee!

Edit the config:

sudo nano /etc/ircd-hybrid/ircd.conf

Name Your Server

In serverinfo {}, update:

name = "hybrid8.debian.local";

Example:

name = "JessicaServer.irc";

Add a Description

Update:

description = "ircd-hybrid 8.1-debian";

Example:

description = "Raspberry Pi IRC Server";

Define Your Network

network_name = "debian"; network_desc = "This is My Network";

Example:

network_name = "MyNetwork"; network_desc = "My Raspberry Pi IRC Network";

Set Connection Limits

Default: 512 users. Adjust:

default_max_clients = 512;

Example:

default_max_clients = 100;

Secure Your Operator Account

First, install mkpasswd if needed: sudo apt install whois.

Generate encrypted password:

mkpasswd -m sha-512

Enter password, copy output.

In operator {} block (uncomment lines):

name = "sheep";

To:

name = "operator";

mask = "*@192.0.2.240/28";

To:

mask = "*@*";

password = "xxxxxxxxxxxxx";

Replace with your encrypted hash (not plaintext).

Save (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).

Start Your IRC Server

sudo /etc/init.d/ircd-hybrid restart

Server is now live!

Connect with mIRC (or Similar Client)

Use mIRC, WeeChat, or LimeChat. Add server:

• Description: Custom label
• Address: Pi's IP (hostname -I)
• Port: 6667

Connect.

That's it—your private IRC server is ready. Explore more: Wi-Fi hotspot, music server, or web host. Check our Raspberry Pi tutorials.