Xepher — Modern XMPP for WeeChat

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Xepher running in WeeChat: XMPP chats and microblogging feed

Xepher in WeeChat — encrypted PMs, MUC, and PubSub feeds in a single TUI. (A short demo GIF is welcome as a contribution.)

OMEMO Encryption

XEP-0384 legacy axolotl (eu.siacs.conversations.axolotl) for PMs. BTBV trust, fingerprints, multi-device. Non-anonymous MUC OMEMO is experimental.

Message Archive (MAM)

XEP-0313 history on connect with LMDB cache and RSM cursors across reconnects.

Microblogging

XEP-0277 / XEP-0472 PubSub feeds — post, reply, boost, comments. Movim-friendly. Disable with xmpp.look.feeds off.

Files & media

HTTP upload (XEP-0363), SFS/ESFS, stickers, BoB. Inline images via Kitty or cell-art icat.

MUC

XEP-0045: create/join, IRC-style admin, bookmarks, moderation, reactions, typing, rejoin after reconnect.

WeeChat-native UX

Receipts, read markers, corrections, replies, encryption bar item, safe /plugin reload xmpp.

Installation

Pre-built packages for Debian, Fedora, Arch, Void, and Alpine are on GitHub Releases (latest: v0.12.0). Use v0.8.1+.

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo dpkg -i xepher_*_amd64.deb

# Fedora
sudo dnf install ./xepher-*-*.x86_64.rpm

# Arch
sudo pacman -U xepher-*-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

# Then in WeeChat (first time or after upgrade)
/plugin load xmpp
# or: /plugin reload xmpp

From source (Linux; on BSD use gmake):

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/ekollof/xepher.git
cd xepher
make install-deps
make
make install
# WeeChat: /plugin reload xmpp

make install uses temp+rename (safe while WeeChat runs). Full platform notes: Installation wiki · README quick start.

How it compares

Xepher is a WeeChat plugin, not a standalone client. Rough orientation:

	Xepher	Gajim / Conversations	BitlBee / other bridges
UI	WeeChat TUI	Desktop / mobile GUI	IRC gateway
OMEMO	PM ready; MUC experimental	Mature	Usually none
MAM / carbons / SM	Yes	Yes	Varies
PubSub microblog	Yes (Movim-oriented)	Limited	No
Inline terminal images	icat / Kitty / cells	N/A (GUI)	Rare
Reload without restart	`/plugin reload xmpp`	App restart	Daemon restart

Choose Xepher if you live in WeeChat and want native XMPP rather than an IRC bridge.

Community

Questions, tips, and announcements:

MUC: xepher@conference.hackerheaven.org · join link
From the plugin: /xmpp enter xepher@conference.hackerheaven.org
GitHub Discussions · Issues (good first issue / help wanted welcome)

Protocol support (CCS2022 baseline and beyond)

Covers CCS2022 Core/Advanced IM as a baseline, plus many newer XEPs (OMEMO, SFS/ESFS, PubSub social feed, MDS, stickers, ephemeral, …) — 50+ in all. Full list on the README.

XEP	Name	Notes
XEP-0030	Service Discovery	`/disco summary`; auto-print after connect
XEP-0045	Multi-User Chat	Admin, bookmarks, create, invitations
XEP-0198	Stream Management	Resume + retransmit; MUC rejoin on reconnect
XEP-0277 / 0472	Microblogging / Social Feed	PubSub; Movim-compatible
XEP-0313	MAM	LMDB cache + RSM
XEP-0363	HTTP File Upload	SFS / ESFS
XEP-0384	OMEMO	Legacy axolotl; PM ready; MUC experimental
XEP-0444 / 0461 / 0308	Reactions / Replies / Corrections
XEP-0490	MDS	Read sync across devices