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CryptIRC by TwistedNET
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// twistednet's own client

CryptIRC

An always-on IRC client built by TwistedNET. Stays connected 24/7 like a bouncer — so you never miss a message — with native mobile and desktop apps, end-to-end encryption, and your full history synced across every device. Use our hosted version, or run your own.

Always connectedEvery deviceEnd-to-end encryptedMulti-networkSelf-hostable
Launch CryptIRC →
View on GitHub ↗
CryptIRC — #dev connected
The CryptIRC desktop client showing the #dev channel, encrypted messages and the channel list
24/7always online
172built-in themes
100+slash commands
AES-256GCM encrypted

// why cryptirc

Built to keep you connected

A bouncer, a client and an encrypted vault in one — designed to match the network it came from.

Never disconnect

A bouncer is built in. Your server holds the connection even when every device is off, then replays everything you missed the moment you return.

Every device

Native apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus an installable PWA for iOS and Android. All in sync — pick up the conversation anywhere.

Private by default

Signal-protocol end-to-end encryption for DMs and an AES-256-GCM vault for logs and keys. Your passphrase never leaves your device — even we can't read your history.

Yours to run

Connect to as many IRC networks as you like. Use our hosted instance for zero setup, or self-host the whole thing from GitHub in a single command.

// how the bouncer works

Connect once. Stay online forever.

You connect

Sign in to your CryptIRC server and add the IRC networks and channels you care about — TwistedNET is ready out of the box.

It stays on

Your server keeps the connections alive around the clock, logging everything to an encrypted vault — even while your phone and laptop sleep.

You catch up

Reattach from any device and your full, encrypted history is waiting — synced and exactly where you left off. Nothing missed.

// zero-knowledge by design

Encrypted so even we can't read it

Your vault key is derived from your passphrase on your own device. The passphrase is never sent to the server or stored anywhere. Logs, credentials and notes are encrypted with that key before they ever touch disk.

Signal Protocol DMsAES-256-GCM vaultPassphrase-derived keyForward secrecyDeniability

// on every device

The same client, everywhere

The CryptIRC mobile app running as an installable PWA
WindowsNative installer with system-tray support. Download
LinuxAppImage — chmod +x and run. Download
macOSZip — extract and drag to Applications. Download
AndroidOpen in Chrome or Brave → menu → Add to Home Screen (PWA).
iPhone / iPadOpen in Safari → Share → Add to Home Screen (PWA).
Any browserJust visit your server URL — nothing to install.

// two ways to run it

Use ours, or run your own

zero setup · recommended

Use ours

Register on our hosted CryptIRC instance and you're online in a minute — nothing to install, always-on, ready for TwistedNET and any other network you add.

hostedfreeinstant
Launch CryptIRC →
self-hosted · your server

Run your own

Grab the source from GitHub and deploy your own CryptIRC in one command — Rust backend, Caddy, TLS and systemd configured for you. Full control of your bouncer and data.

self-hostgithubone command
See the install ↓

// self-host in one command

Deploy your own in minutes

The deploy script handles everything — Rust, Caddy, Postfix, systemd, TLS, firewall and your first admin user. Runs on Debian 12, Ubuntu 22.04+ or Arch.

bash — your server 
# clone, then let the installer do the rest
$ git clone https://github.com/gh0st68/CryptIRC.git
$ cd CryptIRC
$ sudo bash deploy/deploy.sh

# no domain? press Enter at the prompt to serve on your
# IP with a self-signed cert. Arch users: deploy/deploy-arch.sh

Full walkthrough in the INSTALL guide · Browse all 172 themes.

// and a whole lot more

Everything else packed in

100+ slash commands Full IRCv3 — 17 capabilities 172 themes · 140 fonts Push notifications Nick monitoring Inline media & previews Typing & away indicators /ud Urban Dictionary Multi-network favourites Desktop pets & widgets Encrypted notes Rust backend

// questions

Frequently asked

What exactly is a bouncer?
A bouncer is a server that stays connected to IRC for you. With CryptIRC it's built in — your server holds your connections and logs them encrypted, so even with every device off you never drop out of a channel or miss a message.
Do I have to keep an app open?
No. That's the whole point. Your CryptIRC server does the staying-online. Open the app whenever you want and your full history is already there, synced across desktop and mobile.
Is it really private?
Yes. DMs use Signal-protocol end-to-end encryption, and your logs, credentials and notes are sealed in an AES-256-GCM vault. The key is derived from your passphrase on your device and is never sent to the server — so even the people running it can't read your data.
Which networks does it work with?
Any IRC network. It comes ready for TwistedNET (irc.twistednet.org · 6697 TLS), and you can add as many other networks as you like.
Is it free?
The hosted client at client.twistednet.org/cryptirc is free to register and use. The source is on GitHub if you'd rather self-host.
How hard is it to self-host?
One command. Clone the repo and run sudo bash deploy/deploy.sh on a fresh Debian, Ubuntu or Arch box — it sets up Rust, Caddy, TLS, systemd and your first user. No domain required; it can serve on your IP with a self-signed certificate.
Where do I get help?
Drop into #dev or #twisted on irc.twistednet.org, or open an issue on GitHub.

// get started

Never miss a message again

Launch the hosted client in your browser, or deploy your own. Either way you're online in minutes.

Launch CryptIRC →
View on GitHub ↗