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Install & configure UnrealIRCd

Intermediate · about 25 min read

UnrealIRCd is a popular open-source IRC server. This overview follows a typical Linux install. Always read the official docs for your exact version: unrealircd.org/docs.

On this page
  1. Requirements
  2. Download and build
  3. Configuration
  4. IRCPlus Config Maker
  5. Run and firewall

1. Requirements

  • A Linux VPS or shell with root or suitable user privileges
  • Build tools (gcc, make), OpenSSL development libraries
  • Open TCP ports for clients (often 6667 plain, 6697 TLS) and optionally server-linking
sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential libssl-dev pkg-config

2. Download and build

Get the current source from the official site, extract it, then run the interactive configurator:

cd ~
wget https://www.unrealircd.org/downloads/unrealircd-latest.tar.gz
tar xzvf unrealircd-latest.tar.gz
cd unrealircd-*

./Config
make
make install

./Config asks for install path, SSL setup and feature options. make install places binaries and example configs under the directory you chose (often ~/unrealircd).

3. Configuration

Main settings live in conf/unrealircd.conf (and includes). You must set at least:

  • Network and server name
  • Admin contact details
  • Listen blocks for plaintext and/or TLS ports
  • Oper blocks for administrators
  • Allowed cloaks / me blocks as required by your version

Test the configuration before going live:

cd ~/unrealircd
./unrealircd configtest
./unrealircd start
./unrealircd status
./unrealircd rehash    # reload config after edits

4. IRCPlus UnrealIRCd Config Maker

Generate a starting config on this site Use the UnrealIRCd Config Maker to produce a basic unrealircd.conf with your network name, admin and ports filled in. Download or copy the result into your install’s conf/ directory, then adjust cloaks, opers and modules to match the official example for your UnrealIRCd version.

The maker is a starting point, not a full production policy. Always compare with upstream examples and run configtest.

5. Firewall, TLS and next steps

  • Allow client ports in ufw, firewalld or your cloud security group
  • Prefer TLS (6697) with a real certificate (Let’s Encrypt) for public networks
  • Install services (Anope/Atheme) if you need NickServ/ChanServ
  • Point Eggdrop or users at your server hostname
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