# Install icbirc with Homebrew Proxy IRC client and ICB server. Version 2.2 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:icbirc ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install icbirc ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:icbirc - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 2.2 - **Source summary:** Proxy IRC client and ICB server - **Homepage:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** BSD-2-Clause - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - icbirc (cli) - icbirc (alias) ## Build dependencies - bmake ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, sonoma, ventura ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 2.2 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://www.benzedrine.ch/icbirc.html - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. - info: Release/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories. ## Project history and usage icbirc is Daniel Hartmeier's proxy that lets IRC clients connect to ICB servers by translating commands and messages between the two chat protocols. It is a tiny compatibility bridge for an obscure but historically interesting chat network. ### Project history The author page embeds the OpenBSD-style man page, states that the first version was written in 2003, and publishes source tarballs rather than a source-control repository. The page's history section records later maintenance releases in 2015, 2016, and 2024, largely incorporating OpenBSD ports-tree patches. ### Adoption history The man page and source page document testing with XChat, ircII, BitchX, mIRC, and irssi, which captures the project's practical adoption goal: keep familiar IRC clients usable with an ICB server. Homebrew packaging preserves that bridge for users who still need the proxy. ### How it is used A typical invocation is `icbirc -s default.icb.net`, after which an IRC client connects to the proxy. Supported IRC commands include login, listing, joining, messaging, topic, kick, mode handoff, quit, and a `RAWICB` escape hatch for custom ICB commands. ### Why package nerds care icbirc is the kind of package that makes broad package indexes culturally useful: it preserves access to a minor protocol and a specific chat-history ecosystem, while also documenting the practical differences between IRC channels and ICB groups. ### Timeline - 2003: First version of icbirc written. - 2015: Versions 1.9 and 2.0 incorporated connection and OpenBSD port fixes. - 2016: Version 2.1 added OpenBSD pledge support and IRC error-message behavior changes. - 2024: Version 2.2 included additional OpenBSD ports-tree patches. ### Related projects - Related projects and protocols include ICB, IRC, OpenBSD ports, XChat, ircII, BitchX, mIRC, irssi, and the RFC 1459/2811/2812 IRC specifications cited by the man page. ### Sources - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** icbirc - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Requirements:** macos - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** stable ## Related links - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Web development packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/web-dev-tools/) - Matched web development metadata. - [bmake](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/bmake/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [catgirl](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/catgirl/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [ii](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ii/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [senpai](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/senpai/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [weechat](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/weechat/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [znc](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/znc/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [irssi](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/irssi/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [bitlbee](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/bitlbee/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. - [epic5](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/epic5/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: chat, cli, irc, networking. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/icbirc.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/icbirc.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - cross-ecosystem install command graph