# Toxic

> Tox client based on ncurses

**Wikidata**: [Q104696297](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104696297)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/toxic

## Summary
Toxic is a free and open-source console-based instant messaging client for the Tox protocol. It is designed for Unix-like operating systems and utilizes the ncurses library to provide a graphical user interface within a terminal environment. The client is written in the C programming language and is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0.

## Key Facts
- **Software Type:** Toxic is an instant messaging client and console application categorized as free software.
- **Latest Stable Release:** Version 0.13.0, released on December 21, 2023.
- **License:** Distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Platform:** Runs on Unix-like operating systems.
- **Interface:** Built using the ncurses GUI toolkit/framework.
- **Programming Language:** Written in C (Wikidata Q15777).
- **Repository:** Source code is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/Jfreegman/toxic`.
- **Package Availability:** Available in standard repositories for Arch Linux (`toxic`), Ubuntu (`toxic`), Gentoo (`net-im/toxic`), FreeBSD (`net-im/toxic`), and OpenBSD (`net/toxic`).
- **Official Website:** `https://tox.chat/`

## FAQs
### Q: What is Toxic used for?
A: Toxic is used for instant messaging via the Tox protocol. It allows users to communicate securely within a terminal window using a text-based interface provided by ncurses.

### Q: Is Toxic free to use?
A: Yes, Toxic is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0. This grants users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: What operating systems can run Toxic?
A: Toxic runs on Unix-like operating systems. It is specifically available for installation on Linux distributions (such as Arch, Ubuntu, Gentoo) and BSD variants (FreeBSD, OpenBSD).

### Q: Does Toxic have a graphical user interface?
A: Yes, but it is a console application. It uses the ncurses library to render a text-based user interface (TUI) in a terminal, rather than a traditional desktop graphical interface.

## Why It Matters
Toxic plays a significant role in the ecosystem of secure and privacy-focused communication by offering a lightweight, terminal-based client for the Tox protocol. While many modern messaging clients rely on heavy graphical frameworks, Toxic distinguishes itself by operating entirely within a command-line interface using ncurses. This makes it an essential tool for power users, system administrators, and privacy enthusiasts who prefer or require terminal-based workflows.

By adhering to the philosophy of free software and operating on Unix-like systems, Toxic provides a transparent and auditable codebase. Its availability across major Linux and BSD package managers ensures that it is easily accessible to a wide range of technical users. The client's continued development—evidenced by releases up to late 2023—demonstrates an ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust, text-based alternative for decentralized messaging.

## Notable For
- **Terminal-Based UI:** Utilizes ncurses to deliver a fully functional instant messaging experience inside a terminal console.
- **Unix-First Design:** Native support and packaging for a wide variety of Unix-like systems, including specific ports for FreeBSD and OpenBSD.
- **Free Software Licensing:** Commitment to user freedoms through the GNU General Public License v3.0.
- **Active Development:** Consistent release history spanning from 2020 to 2023, culminating in the stable version 0.13.0.

## Body
### Technical Overview
Toxic is a client implementation of the Tox protocol, designed to facilitate peer-to-peer instant messaging. It functions as a console application, meaning it is executed from the command line and operates within that environment. The application relies heavily on the **ncurses** library, which serves as both a dependency and the GUI toolkit/framework. This allows Toxic to render windows, menus, and input fields in a text-based format.

The software is written in the **C programming language**, optimizing it for performance and compatibility with low-level system operations typical of Unix-like environments.

### Version History
Development of Toxic has been active in recent years, with the source code repository hosted on GitHub by user Jfreegman. Key recent releases documented in the knowledge base include:

- **0.8.4:** Released October 23, 2020.
- **0.9.0:** Released November 14, 2020.
- **0.10.0:** Released November 30, 2020.
- **0.10.1:** Released January 20, 2021.
- **0.11.x Series:** Multiple releases throughout 2021, culminating in version 0.11.3 on December 24, 2021.
- **0.12.0:** Released March 4, 2023.
- **0.13.0:** The current stable version, released December 21, 2023.

### Installation and Availability
Toxic is widely available through standard software repositories, simplifying installation for users of various operating systems:
- **Arch Linux:** Available as the `toxic` package.
- **Ubuntu:** Available as the `toxic` package.
- **Gentoo:** Available as `net-im/toxic`.
- **FreeBSD:** Available via the port `net-im/toxic`.
- **OpenBSD:** Available via the port `net/toxic`.

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/Jfreegman/toxic)
2. [Source](https://tox.chat/clients.html)
3. [Release 0.8.4. 2020](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.8.4)
4. [Release 0.9.0. 2020](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.9.0)
5. [Release 0.9.1. 2020](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.9.1)
6. [Release 0.10.0. 2020](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.10.0)
7. [Release 0.10.1. 2021](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.10.1)
8. [Release 0.11.1. 2021](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.11.1)
9. [Release 0.11.2. 2021](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.11.2)
10. [Release 0.11.3. 2021](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.11.3)
11. [Release 0.12.0. 2023](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.12.0)
12. [Release 0.13.0. 2023](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.13.0)
13. [Release 0.13.1. 2024](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.13.1)
14. [Release 0.14.1. 2024](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.14.1)
15. [Release 0.15.0. 2024](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.15.0)
16. [Release 0.15.1. 2024](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.15.1)
17. [Release 0.16.0. 2024](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.16.0)
18. [Release 0.16.1. 2025](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.16.1)
19. [Release 0.16.2. 2026](https://github.com/JFreegman/toxic/releases/tag/v0.16.2)