# Eggdrop

> IRC bot software

**Wikidata**: [Q1297422](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1297422)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggdrop)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eggdrop

## Summary
Eggdrop is an open-source IRC bot software written in Tcl, designed to run on Unix-like operating systems. It is widely used for automating tasks on IRC networks, such as channel management, user interactions, and scriptable functionality.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: IRC bot software
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later
- **Latest stable version**: 1.9.1 (released March 28, 2021)
- **Programming language**: Tcl
- **Operating system**: Unix-like
- **Website**: [eggheads.org](https://www.eggheads.org/)
- **Source code repository**: [GitHub](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop)
- **Aliases**: Eggdrops, Windrop
- **First release**: 1993 (originally developed by Robey Pointer)
- **Package availability**: Available in repositories for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, and FreeBSD

## FAQs
### Q: What is Eggdrop used for?
A: Eggdrop is primarily used to automate tasks on IRC networks, such as managing channels, responding to user commands, and executing custom scripts.

### Q: Is Eggdrop free software?
A: Yes, Eggdrop is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0 or later, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: What programming language is Eggdrop written in?
A: Eggdrop is written in Tcl, a scripting language known for its simplicity and extensibility.

### Q: Can Eggdrop run on Windows?
A: No, Eggdrop is designed to run on Unix-like operating systems and is not officially supported on Windows.

### Q: How do I install Eggdrop?
A: Eggdrop can be installed from source or via package managers on supported Unix-like systems. Detailed installation instructions are available on the official website and GitHub repository.

## Why It Matters
Eggdrop has been a cornerstone of IRC bot development since its inception in 1993, providing a flexible and scriptable platform for automating tasks on IRC networks. Its open-source nature has allowed a community of developers to contribute to its evolution, making it a versatile tool for channel management, user interaction, and custom scripting. Eggdrop's modular design and extensive scripting capabilities have made it a popular choice among IRC administrators and enthusiasts, ensuring its continued relevance in the IRC ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Long-standing presence**: One of the oldest and most widely used IRC bot software projects.
- **Scriptable functionality**: Supports custom scripts written in Tcl, allowing for extensive automation.
- **Community-driven development**: Actively maintained with regular updates and community contributions.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Available for Unix-like systems, including Linux, BSD, and macOS.
- **Extensive package availability**: Officially packaged for major Linux distributions and BSD variants.

## Body
### Overview
Eggdrop is an open-source IRC bot software written in Tcl, designed to run on Unix-like operating systems. It was first developed in 1993 by Robey Pointer and has since become a staple in IRC automation.

### Development and Licensing
Eggdrop is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0 or later, ensuring its availability as free software. The project is hosted on GitHub, where development continues with regular updates and community contributions.

### Features
Eggdrop supports a wide range of features, including channel management, user interaction, and custom scripting. Its modular design allows for easy extension and customization.

### Installation and Availability
Eggdrop can be installed from source or via package managers on supported Unix-like systems. It is available in repositories for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, and FreeBSD, making it accessible to a broad user base.

### Community and Support
Eggdrop has an active community of users and developers who contribute to its ongoing development. Support is available through the official website, GitHub repository, and IRC channels.

### Versions and Releases
Eggdrop has seen multiple stable releases, with the latest stable version being 1.9.1, released on March 28, 2021. Previous versions include 1.8.4 (December 27, 2018), 1.6.21 (September 10, 2016), and others.

### Related Projects
Eggdrop is part of a broader ecosystem of IRC tools and bots, competing with other open-source projects like Anope and InspIRCd. Its Tcl-based scripting language and Unix-like compatibility set it apart from other solutions.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/blob/develop/doc/man1/eggdrop.1)
2. Free Software Directory
3. [The eggdrop Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/eggdrop/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [Source](http://eggheads.org/news#news63)
5. [2018](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.8.4)
6. [Release 1.6.21. 2016](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.6.21)
7. [Release 1.8.0. 2017](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.8.0)
8. [Release 1.8.1. 2017](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.8.1)
9. [Release 1.8.2. 2017](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.8.2)
10. [Release 1.8.3. 2018](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.8.3)
11. [Release 1.9.0. 2021](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
12. [Release 1.9.1. 2021](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.1)
13. [Eggdrop Release v1.9.2 Release Candidate 1. 2021](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.2rc1)
14. [Eggdrop Release v1.9.2 Release Candidate 2. 2022](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.2rc2)
15. [Release 1.9.2. 2022](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.2)
16. [Release 1.9.3. 2022](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.3)
17. [Release 1.9.4. 2022](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.4)
18. [Release 1.9.5. 2023](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.9.5)
19. [Release 1.10.0. 2024](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.10.0)
20. [Release 1.10.1. 2025](https://github.com/eggheads/eggdrop/releases/tag/v1.10.1)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. [Source](https://www.eggheads.org/irc/chat)
23. [Source](https://docs.eggheads.org/installAndSetup/readme.html)
24. Quora