January 7, 2026
IRC vibes, Linux jabs, AI whispers
Show HN: TCP chat server written in C# and .NET 9, used in the terminal
HN loses it over a C# terminal chat: "Is this just IRC?" and Linux-only jokes
TLDR: A tiny C#/.NET 9 terminal chat server hit HN, sparking debates about whether it’s just IRC redux, jokes about Linux-only testing, and claims it’s AI-made. Fans praised its simple, single-file design, while skeptics questioned message limits and originality—proof that small tools can trigger big reactions.
A tiny terminal chat app in C#/.NET 9 just crashed into Hacker News and the comments turned into a retro chat room of their own. It’s a simple TCP server that listens on port 8000 and lets you run a client, type a username, and send messages—think old-school text chat. The crowd immediately went full nostalgia detective, with one top voice asking, “Is this effectively IRC?” (IRC is the classic Internet Relay Chat from the dial‑up era), while others applauded the no‑frills, single‑file vibe like it’s a minimalist art exhibit.
Then the drama: someone pointed out it was only tested on Linux, triggering jokes about a C# app ghosting Windows. Another commenter poked at a possible 4,096‑byte message limit, imagining long rants cut off mid‑meltdown. And the spiciest take? A claim it’s ChatGPT‑made riding to the front page, splitting the room between “who cares, it works” and “robot‑coded novelty.” Still, the mood was mostly “cute, clean, and educational,” with fans loving how it logs messages in real time and can be stopped with a classic Ctrl+C. Whether it’s reinventing IRC or just a fun toy, this little chat server stirred big feelings—and even bigger punchlines.
Key Points
- •The project is a terminal-based TCP chat server and client written in C# for .NET 9.
- •It has only been tested on Linux PopOS, though it lists Linux, macOS, and Windows as compatible.
- •The server runs with “dotnet run --project CSharpStream server,” listens on port 8000 by default, and supports graceful shutdown via Ctrl+C.
- •The client runs with “dotnet run --project CSharpStream client,” prompts for a username, and sends messages to the chat.
- •Project structure includes distinct Server, Client, and Models components, with ChatServer.cs as the service layer and Program.cs as the entry point; the project is licensed under MIT.