The Lounge on a Seedbox: Self-Hosted IRC Web Client

What The Lounge Is

The Lounge is a self-hosted IRC client that runs as a server. The server stays connected to your IRC networks 24/7 and serves a web UI you can hit from any browser. Mobile, tablet, desktop, doesn't matter; the same conversation continues across all of them.

It's the modern equivalent of an IRC bouncer (like ZNC) plus a client, rolled into one. Where ZNC is just the bouncer and you bring your own client, The Lounge gives you the bouncer and the client in the same package.

The Lounge vs ZNC

Honest comparison:

• The Lounge. All-in-one. Web UI, mobile-friendly, modern look. The right pick if you want one tool.
• ZNC. Just the bouncer. You connect to it from a real IRC client (HexChat, Quassel, mIRC). The right pick if you want a desktop IRC client experience.

For most people new to IRC who want to give it a try, The Lounge.

Why Run It on a Seedbox?

The whole point of an IRC client/bouncer is staying connected when you're not at your desk. A seedbox is the natural home:

• Always on, so you don't drop out of channels when your laptop closes
• 24/7 backlog of conversations you weren't around for
• One-click install
• Web UI works from any device
• EU servers in Luxembourg, France, and Netherlands

Installing The Lounge

Open the Bytesized Panel, find The Lounge in the app catalog, click install. The panel handles the install, the reverse proxy, the URL.

Click "Open" to land on the login page.

First-Run Setup

1. Sign in. First-run prompts you to create the admin account.
2. Add a network. New connection, plug in the IRC server (irc.libera.chat, irc.oftc.net, your tracker's IRC, whatever).
3. Set your nick and join channels. Whatever channels you want to be in.

The Lounge connects on your behalf and stays connected. Close the browser, open it tomorrow, the conversations are still there.

Multiple Users

You can create separate users in The Lounge, each with their own networks and channels. Useful if you're sharing a slice and want a per-user IRC setup.

Settings > Users from the admin account.

Push Notifications

The Lounge supports browser push notifications. Settings > Notifications, enable for the channels you care about. Mentions and DMs ping you even when the tab isn't open.

The mobile experience is solid; the web UI works fine on phones, and you can add it to home screen as a PWA.

Common Gotchas

IRC server requires SASL/CertFP. The Lounge supports both. SASL config is per-network in the connection settings.

Tracker IRC rejects connection. Some tracker IRC servers do strict source-IP checks. The Bytesized IPs are usually fine but a tracker may want you to register the seedbox IP. Talk to the tracker's IRC operators.

Backlog limits. Default backlog stores a fixed number of recent messages. To keep more, increase the per-channel limit in the user config file.

Channel keys. Some channels need keys (passwords). Set under the channel's settings or include the key in the join command.

FAQ

Is The Lounge free? Yes. Free and open source.

Should I use The Lounge or ZNC? The Lounge if you want an all-in-one web client. ZNC if you have a preferred desktop IRC client and want it backed by a bouncer.

Will it stay connected when I close the browser? Yes. That's the main point.

Does it work with tracker IRC? Yes, where the tracker allows external bouncers. Some don't; check their rules.

Can I run multiple networks at once? Yes. As many as you want; you switch between them in the sidebar.

Ready to Set It Up?

Browse Appbox plans, install The Lounge from the panel, add your IRC networks.