finch

console-based multi-protocol chat client

TLDR

Launch finch

$ finch

Quit finch

$ <Alt q>|<Ctrl c>

Show actions menu

$ <Alt a>

Jump to n-th window

$ <Alt [Number]>

Close current window

$ <Alt c>

Start moving a window

$ <Alt m>

Start resizing a window

$ <Alt r>

finch is a console-based modular messaging client using the libpurple library (same as Pidgin). It supports multiple protocols including XMPP, IRC, and various proprietary services.Text-based alternative to the Pidgin GUI client.

PARAMETERS

-c, --config dir

Use alternate configuration directory

-d, --debug

Enable debug output

-v, --version

Display version

CONFIGURATION

~/.purple/prefs.xml

Libpurple preferences shared with Pidgin.

~/.purple/accounts.xml

Account credentials and connection settings.

~/.gntrc

GNT (finch) UI keybindings and window behavior.

INSTALL

sudo apt install finch

sudo dnf install finch

sudo apk add finch

sudo zypper install finch

CAVEATS

Requires ncurses library. Uses same libpurple plugins as Pidgin. Account configuration shared with Pidgin if using same config directory.