# The Lounge

The Lounge is a modern, open-source, web-based IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client that offers persistent connectivity, allowing users to remain connected to IRC servers even while offline, and provides a responsive. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on Docker Hub, Umbrel, Proxmox, ZimaOS and Unraid.

Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/3556/the-lounge

## Description

The Lounge is a modern, open-source, web-based IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client that offers persistent connectivity, allowing users to remain connected to IRC servers even while offline, and provides a responsive interface compatible with desktops, smartphones, and tablets. It brings IRC into the 21st century with features like push notifications, link previews, and file uploads, and supports multiple user accounts, enabling server sharing among friends or team members. The Lounge can be installed on a continuously running server for optimal performance, granting users access through their browsers or mobile devices. It offers both private mode, combining the functionalities of a bouncer and a client for a modern chat experience, and public mode, allowing open chat access without registration.

## Platform availability

Available on 4 of 9 platforms: Unraid, Umbrel, ZimaOS, Proxmox.

## Health score

82/100 (Excellent), based on 4 of 5 factors.
- Maintained: 99 (last commit 39 days ago)
- Popular: 76 (6,342 GitHub stars)
- Easy to install: 65 (4 install platforms, install notes, Docker image)
- Security check: 74 (no serious findings, 3 minor, CI, tests, OpenSSF Scorecard 6.2/10)

## Links

- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/thelounge/thelounge
- Umbrel: https://apps.umbrel.com/app/thelounge
- Proxmox: https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=the-lounge
- Official website: https://thelounge.chat/
- GitHub: https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge
- ZimaOS: https://github.com/bigbeartechworld/big-bear-casaos/tree/master/Apps/thelounge
- Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps/thelounge-06ku1n10gfjay9?q=thelounge
- Documentation: https://thelounge.chat/docs

## Common questions

### Is running The Lounge from source recommended for production?

The README says running from source is not production-ready and should be run at your own risk. It also says it is not recommended to run it as root.

### Do I need to keep the server running all the time?

For an optimal experience, The Lounge should be installed on a server that runs 24/7. It can remain connected to IRC servers while you are offline.

### Do I need a dedicated mobile app to use The Lounge on my phone?

The Lounge is a progressive web app, so it can be installed from any modern browser. This provides a native-like experience without needing a dedicated mobile app.

### Can I share one The Lounge instance with friends?

The Lounge supports multiple user accounts, so you can share your server with friends.

### How do I manage users or install add-ons after setup?

Use the thelounge CLI to start the server, manage users, install themes and packages, and configure your self-hosted IRC client.

### Can I deploy The Lounge with Docker Compose?

A docker-compose file can include the settings needed to recreate your The Lounge application and setup. This can make adding other self-hosted apps easier later.

## Alternatives

- Convos: Convos is a self-hosted multiuser web client for IRC that keeps channels online in the browser for users who want an always-on chat presenc…
- Quassel IRC: Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client based on the Qt5 framework.
- Shout: The self-hosted web IRC client.
- jsIRC: jsIRC is written using Socket.IO, node.js, jQuery Title Alert and Sencha ExtJS, relying on string.js, Lo-Dash and PhantomJS.

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Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/3556/the-lounge), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.