Ergo is an open-source IRC server written in Go that combines the server daemon with account and channel services, stored chat history, and bouncer-like features. It can suit a team or community that wants to operate one self-hosted IRC instance without assembling those capabilities from separate programs. Its main architectural limit is important: Ergo does not currently support server-to-server linking, so clients connect to the same instance.
What is Ergo?
Ergo is an IRC server daemon whose project aims include straightforward setup, current IRCv3 support, and YAML configuration that can be reloaded at runtime. It also integrates services and features commonly handled by separate software: NickServ, ChanServ, HostServ, and functions such as persistent history and multi-client sessions.
The project describes its design as combining “the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer.” That is a statement of the project’s intended design, not an independent evaluation. Which features users can rely on depends on how the operator configures the server.
The project’s history dates to ergonomadic, developed by Jeremy Latt from 2012 to 2014. Daniel Oaks forked it as Oragono in 2016; Oragono 1.0.0 was released in February 2019, and the project took the Ergo name in June 2021.
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What users can do with an Ergo server
Register an account and protect a nickname
Users can register through NickServ, Ergo’s integrated account service. Registered accounts are central to workflows such as identifying with a protected nickname and using multiple clients under the same identity. Channel services can help protect registered channels as well.
Log in automatically with SASL
After registering, configure the IRC client to authenticate with SASL when it connects. This lets the client log in to the account as part of connection setup, rather than relying on a person to identify manually each time. The exact settings and labels vary by client, so use that client’s account or connection settings and enter the account credentials there.
Ergo’s user guide also documents a server-password method using IRC’s PASS command for clients that do not support SASL. SASL is the more suitable routine option when the client supports it.
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Resume conversations and stay present
Ergo can store chat history on the server and replay it to users, and it can optionally preserve a user’s presence while that person is disconnected. History is subject to the server’s retention configuration; it should not be assumed to be unlimited.
Multiple clients can share one nickname when they authenticate to the same account. This is useful when connecting from, for example, both a desktop client and a phone, but it depends on account authentication and server configuration.
Privacy and connection options
The user guide says Ergo cloaks IP addresses so they are not displayed publicly, and describes the default configuration as accessible only via TLS. These are documented default/user-facing behaviors, not guarantees for every customized deployment. Operators should check their active configuration and certificate setup rather than assume a custom server retains the defaults.
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Other documented capabilities include client-certificate support, LDAP, multiple languages, optional UTF-8 names using PRECIS, Tor hidden-service support, IP cloaking, automated connection limits, bcrypt password storage, and a unified ban system. Operators determine which options are enabled.
Ergo’s architecture and scale
Ergo is a single-instance design today, not a federated IRC network: its operator manual says it does not currently support server-to-server linking. Users who need a network made of linked servers should treat that as a deciding limitation.
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The Ergo operator manual says, “We believe Ergo should scale comfortably to 10,000 clients and 2,000 clients per channel.” These are the project’s expectations, not independently verified benchmark results; the manual does not present them as measurements from a named third party. They are best read as project guidance rather than a capacity guarantee for a particular deployment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to install Ergo
Ergo documents installation through release downloads, Docker, and source builds. Its repository points to the latest release and a quick-start process that uses a default.yaml configuration file, certificate generation, and ergo run. Exact release numbers and minimum Go versions can change, so check the current release and build documentation before following version-specific instructions.
- Choose a deployment route. Use a project release for a prebuilt distribution, Docker if that fits your environment, or build from source with an up-to-date Go distribution.
- Prepare the configuration. Start from Ergo’s
default.yamlquick-start configuration and review the settings you intend to expose. The server’s behavior—including which user-facing capabilities are enabled—depends on its configuration. - Set up TLS certificates. Generate or obtain certificates as required by the chosen setup. For production, the operator manual recommends valid, recognized certificates, particularly when using STS; it points to certificate tooling such as Certbot.
- Start and test the server. The documented quick-start includes running
ergo run. Confirm that clients can connect using the intended TLS settings before inviting users. - Secure the deployment for ongoing use. For a production Linux service, the manual recommends systemd and a dedicated unprivileged service account. Restrict access to the directory containing the configuration, database, and certificates.
The manual lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Docker, and source builds among its deployment options. It does not specify a Raspberry Pi model or minimum hardware requirement, so confirm compatibility for the particular device and workload rather than inferring one from platform support alone.
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Operating and maintaining an Ergo server
Ergo uses YAML configuration and supports reloading configuration at runtime. According to the operator manual, many changes can be applied with a rehash without disconnecting users, while some settings require a restart. Check the documentation for the specific setting before assuming a reload will apply it.
- Protect server files: keep configuration, database, and certificate files in a directory with access limited to the service account and authorized operators.
- Use an unprivileged service account: avoid running the production daemon as a general-purpose or administrative user.
- Keep TLS valid: monitor certificate renewal and verify the certificate clients see, especially if relying on STS.
- Set expectations for stored history: review retention settings so the amount of retained data matches the community’s needs.
- Plan around one instance: because servers cannot currently be linked, plan for users to connect to the same Ergo instance.
Who should choose Ergo?
Ergo is a strong fit to consider when a small or medium-sized team or community wants a self-hosted IRC service with integrated accounts, channel services, history, and multi-client behavior, and is comfortable operating a single instance. The operator manual describes its intended scale in those terms, while making clear that the figures are project expectations.
It is a poor fit if federation between multiple IRC servers is a requirement. It also demands ordinary server-operator responsibilities: configuring TLS, protecting stored data and credentials, managing certificates, and maintaining the service. The available documentation supports comparing IRC servers by integrated services, IRCv3 support, configuration flexibility, federation, privacy/security options, and operational requirements; it does not establish a performance ranking against a particular competitor.
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