Glowing Bear

Glowing Bear is an open-source web application that provides a modern frontend for the WeeChat IRC client. It allows users to access their IRC channels and chats through any web browser on computers, tablets, or smartphones. The software functions as a client-side interface that connects to an existing WeeChat instance, removing the need for a terminal emulator to manage IRC communications.

Deployment is flexible, as the application can be hosted on a private web server using Nginx, Apache, or Caddy, or accessed via a hosted version. It requires a WeeChat instance running version 2.9 or later with the relay plugin configured to enable communication between the browser and the IRC client. Users can run the application as a standard webpage or as a standalone experience using Chrome application shortcuts or the Android add to homescreen feature.

Key features

• Direct connection to WeeChat via WebSockets
• Embedding of images and videos within the chat
• Support for Emoji One icons
• Compatibility with mobile browsers and tablets
• Integration with the Notification Web API
• Support for TLS encryption via the WeeChat relay
• Ability to be installed as a Chrome app or added to Android home screens

The application is written in client-side JavaScript using AngularJS, Bootstrap, and Underscore. Because it relies on the WeeChat relay plugin, there is no separate backend service required to process messages or store chat history. The browser establishes a direct connection to the WeeChat host, meaning the hosting location of the Glowing Bear frontend does not affect the data path. For users who cannot expose their WeeChat port directly to the internet, the software supports the use of a websocket proxy module on a webserver to forward traffic to the IRC client.

Glowing Bear is designed for IRC users who want a graphical web interface for their existing WeeChat configuration without sacrificing the functionality of the underlying client.