Textual
A long-running macOS IRC client from Codeux Software that wraps Internet Relay Chat in a native interface with dark and light themes, channel tabs, and deep protocol options for users who still rely on IRC communities, support channels, and ZNC bouncers.
Typical Mac workflow
You add networks and channels, connect through plain TLS or client certificates, and chat with nickname and command auto-completion, nickname colorization, and fuzzy search across buffers. Textual embeds images and media inline, supports rule-based ignores and filters, and can sync connections through iCloud. Power-user features include IRCv3 capabilities, IPv6, SASL login, SOCKS and HTTP proxies, certificate trust controls, and tight ZNC integration for persistent sessions when you are offline.
Customization is a major draw: chat appearance uses documented web-standard styles, and addons can be written in AppleScript, Swift, Python, Ruby, and other languages. Off-the-Record (OTR) messaging is available for encrypted private conversations when your chat partners support it. Notifications, speech synthesis, an address book for tracking friends, and multi-channel layouts round out daily use on a Mac that stays logged into Libera, OFTC, or private corporate IRC servers.
Licensing and version 7.2.7
Textual sells for about $7.99 as a one-time license with a 30-day trial from codeux.com. Since May 2024 it is no longer sold on the Mac App Store; existing App Store buyers can redownload or convert to a license key. The vendor knowledge base states Textual has been sunset and the GitHub repository was archived in July 2026, though release notes for 7.2.7 document a compatibility fix. The app requires macOS Monterey 12.0 or later per the product page. Version 7.2.7 is a small maintenance build that fixes automatic scrolling on macOS 27.
