Question 1

What is Ergo?

Accepted Answer

Ergo is a modern IRC server — the software that hosts an IRC network for clients to connect to. Formerly called Oragono, it is written in Go and ships as a single binary. Its defining feature is that services like nickname and channel registration, plus server-side message history that acts as a bouncer, are built into the server itself, so you get a fully functional modern IRC network without deploying separate add-on packages. This install runs it on ports 6667 and 6697.

Question 2

How is it different from traditional IRC servers?

Accepted Answer

Classic IRC daemons like InspIRCd or UnrealIRCd are just the core server; to get registration, moderation, and message replay you install and configure separate services packages and often a bouncer as well. Ergo builds all of that in. Account, nickname, and channel registration and persistent history are native to the single Ergo binary, so a modern, usable network runs from one process with modern defaults, instead of a fiddly multi-part assembly.

Question 3

Which ports does it use?

Accepted Answer

Ergo uses the two conventional IRC ports: 6667 for plain, unencrypted connections and 6697 for TLS. You should prefer 6697 and avoid exposing 6667 publicly, since a plain connection sends your NickServ password in clear text. On a public network, configure a valid TLS certificate and publish 6697, keeping 6667 restricted to a trusted local network or closed.

Question 4

Do I need The Lounge with it?

Accepted Answer

No, but they pair naturally. Ergo is the server — the network itself — and you can connect to it with any IRC client. The Lounge is a self-hosted, always-on web client that many people run in front of a network so they can use it from a browser and keep persistent history. Running both gives you a complete self-hosted IRC stack: your own network and your own web front-end, though you can use Ergo with any client you prefer.

Question 5

Does it support voice and video like Discord?

Accepted Answer

No — Ergo is an IRC server, and IRC is a text-first protocol, so it does not natively provide the voice, video, threads, or slick mobile push of platforms like Discord or Matrix. What it offers is a modern, simple, fully controllable text chat network with registration and history built in. If you specifically want those richer real-time features, a Matrix homeserver or a team-chat platform is a better fit than IRC.

Port	Purpose
6667	IRC — plain, unencrypted connections (prefer TLS instead)
6697	IRC over TLS — the port to publish on a public network

🟢 Setup Ergo — Modern IRC Server with Built-in Services

📦 Resources & Setup Scripts

Quick Install:

Tutorial Steps

1 Download the Script

2 Make it Executable

3 Run the Installer

4 Connect an IRC Client

Ports Used

Overview

Why Use It

When You Need It

Who Should Use It

Real Use Cases

Main Features

How to Use After Installation

Security Best Practices

Ports and Firewall Notes

Backup and Maintenance

Common Mistakes

Troubleshooting

Alternatives

When Not to Use It

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Frequently Asked Questions