[ HTML version of this guide available at https://syn.rip/~/ergot-rye/pidgin-uplink-guide/ ]
[ for I2P: https://syn.i2p/~/ergot-rye/pidgin-uplink-guide/ ]
[ for Tor: http://anarchywteuhg5bzh2m2uwvjssxkqgcdtv2eaxm3pc5tg3gb4xseimad.onion/~/ergot-rye/pidgin-uplink-guide/ ]

Welcome to Uplink IRC channel!

We made this guide for users of in-game Uplink IRC client with the purpose of helping to set up a native IRC client for more comfortable chating experience. We choose Pidgin as the most universal free desktop software solution, available for a number of platforms including GNU/Linux and Windows and under development (as for the April of 2025), however many other clients for various platforms exist (the large part of which gets distributed under the terms of free and open source licences).

We use IRC (Internet Relay Chat) as a free instant messaging (IM) protocol, a federated text-based alternative to proprietary messaging services where anyone can set up one's own server instead of relying on a single provider.

** INSTALLATION **

For instructions on how to install the latest version of Pidgin for your operating system, visit
https://pidgin.im/install/

We wrote this guide considering Pidgin 2.14.x branch as a target, but bear in mind that with a major update the algorithm might change.

** SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT **

To access Uplink IRC server, one doesn't need to register account and/or provide confidential data such as real name, geolocation, phone number or E-mail address. To login, open Pidgin, click on Accounts > Manage accounts menu (or press Ctrl-A), click Add button. In the opened window click on drop-down menu at the side of Protocol: string and choose IRC. Pick up a username consisting of Latin letters (both upper and lower registers allowed), numbers, minus `-` and underscore `_` symbols (note that although a nickname can contain numbers, it shouldn't start with a number). Into Server field type Uplink IRC server web address: `nuc.uplinkcorp.net`. No password needed for a new account, however you can register your nickname and set up a password later with `/nickname` command from a chat window.

Move to Advanced tab. Change default port to 6000 and enable Use SSL checkbox in order to make secure connection work.

Note that you *don't* have to type your real ID into Ident name and Real name if you want to stay anonymous!

** TOR CONNECTION **

Now if you want to connect anonymously through Tor and you already have Tor service set up and running, move to Proxy tab, set Proxy type to Tor/Privacy (SOCKS5) and change host to 127.0.0.1 and port ot 9050 (or whatever port uses your config of Tor).

** JOINING A CHAT **

Now you can enable newly created account in accounts manager and if you configured account correctly and Pidgin has connection to the Internet, you can click menu Buddies > Join a chat or press Ctrl-C and enter #uplink into channel field (or pick up desired chat from Room List menu).

Note that Uplink built-in client has many unfixed issues, including incorrect display of slash `/` symbol. Commands in IRC start with a slash `/`, but NOT with a bar `|` or `i` symbol! For a list of available commands, type `/help` from a chat window.

We hope you will consider our guide useful. Feel free to ask questions in the #uplink chat!