UnrealIRCd

UnrealIRCd is an open-source Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server designed for modularity, security, and high configurability. It implements modern IRCv3 features, supports TLS and WebSocket listeners, and includes advanced anti-spam and anti-flood systems for network operators.

Key Features

• Full IRCv3 protocol support and extensible module system for custom functionality
• TLS/SSL support with multiple certificate/key handling and PQC-aware improvements
• WebSocket listener support for browser-based clients and JSON-RPC for administration
• Advanced anti-flood, spamfilter, and Central Blocklist integration for automated abuse mitigation
• Flexible, feature-rich configuration with remote includes, security groups, and mask-based controls
• Cloaking/virtual host features, GeoIP-based handling, and extensive logging options
• Focused documentation and operational tooling for large-channel and multi-network deployments

Use Cases

• Hosting a public or private IRC network for communities, projects, or events
• Running moderated real-time chat services with automated anti-spam and flood protections
• Building admin dashboards or automation tooling using the provided JSON-RPC/admin interfaces

Limitations and Considerations

• Configuration is powerful but complex; new administrators face a learning curve to properly secure and tune the server
• Certain past releases required timely hot-patches for WebSocket- and TLS-related issues; operators should track updates and apply security patches promptly
• While cross-platform, most production deployments target Unix-like systems and may require platform-specific tuning for high-scale workloads

UnrealIRCd is a mature, production-proven IRCd that balances extensibility and operational controls for network operators. It is suitable for both small community servers and large federated networks where security and anti-abuse features are priorities.