The Lounge

A web‑based IRC client that runs on a self‑hosted server, keeping connections to IRC networks alive even when users are offline. It offers modern conveniences such as push notifications, link previews, file uploads, and support for IRCv3 extensions, while preserving the classic IRC experience. The interface adapts to desktops, smartphones and tablets, allowing users to resume conversations from any device without losing context.

Designed for multiple users, the software lets several accounts share a single installation, making it suitable for personal servers or small groups. It is built with Node.js, works on any operating system that can run Node, and can be deployed via standard package managers or Docker images. The project is released under the MIT license, is actively maintained, and provides documentation, a demo site, and a community‑managed fork of the earlier Shout client.