AutoDL-IRSSI
IRC-based torrent announce monitor (DEPRECATED)
DEPRECATED - REMOVAL SCHEDULED
AutoDL-IRSSI is officially deprecated and will be removed from QuickBox Pro in a future update.
The original developer dropped support in 2020, and the plugin has become increasingly incompatible with modern versions of ruTorrent, rTorrent, and libtorrent. Many trackers have already begun blacklisting AutoDL’s matching patterns.
Common errors:
[09.05.2025 12:28:10] autodl-irssi: __init2: ex: Exception info: name = TypeError; message = Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'options');Migrate to Autobrr immediately - a modern, actively maintained alternative with better integration and user-friendliness. Autobrr provides an online tool for converting AutoDL filters to its supported JSON format.
AutoDL-IRSSI is a plugin for Irssi that monitors IRC announce channels and downloads torrent files based on user-defined filters. It integrates with ruTorrent to provide automated torrent downloading from private tracker announce channels. QuickBox Pro installs AutoDL-IRSSI from the community fork with per-user Irssi systemd services.
📡 IRC Monitoring
Monitors tracker IRC announce channels for new torrent releases
🔍 Filter System
User-defined filters to match specific releases based on criteria
🔗 ruTorrent Integration
Seamless integration with ruTorrent web interface for filter management
⚡ Instant Downloads
Automatically downloads matching torrents as soon as they're announced
🎯 Multi-Tracker
Supports hundreds of private trackers with pre-configured announce patterns
👥 Per-User Config
Isolated configurations and credentials for each QuickBox user
Use Autobrr Instead
Autobrr is the modern replacement for AutoDL-IRSSI. It offers:
- Active development and maintenance
- Modern web interface (no ruTorrent dependency)
- Better performance and reliability
- Support for more trackers and protocols
Installation
Symptoms
- QuickBox Pro v3 installed and configured
- ruTorrent installed (required for web interface)
- IRC announce access on private trackers
Resolution
- Use QuickBox's qb command for installation
- Automatic Irssi systemd service configuration
- Per-user installation with isolated settings
- STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Install Autobrr instead
Basic Installation
Install AutoDL-IRSSI for all users:
qb install autodlNot Recommended for New Installations
AutoDL-IRSSI should not be installed on new systems. Use Autobrr instead. This documentation is provided for legacy users only.
CLI Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
qb install autodl | Install AutoDL-IRSSI for all users |
qb reinstall autodl | Reinstall AutoDL-IRSSI (preserves configuration) |
qb update autodl | Update to latest community fork release |
qb remove autodl | Remove AutoDL-IRSSI and clean up files |
qb help autodl | Display comprehensive help information |
Automatic Port Assignment
QuickBox automatically assigns random ports from 2000-35000 per user. Find your assigned port in ruTorrent → Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI.
Accessing AutoDL-IRSSI
After installation, access AutoDL-IRSSI configuration via ruTorrent:
- Open ruTorrent web interface
- Navigate to Settings (gear icon)
- Select AutoDL-IRSSI tab
- Configure filters and tracker settings
ruTorrent Required
AutoDL-IRSSI requires ruTorrent for web-based configuration. Without ruTorrent, you must manually edit ~/.autodl/autodl.cfg.
Initial Configuration
1. Configure IRC Trackers
Add IRC announce channels for your trackers:
- In ruTorrent, go to Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI → Trackers
- Select your tracker from the list
- Enter IRC credentials:
- IRC Server: Pre-configured for most trackers
- IRC Channels: Pre-configured announce channels
- IRC Announce Names: Bot names to monitor
- Save configuration
2. Create Filters
Set up filters to match specific releases:
- Go to Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI → Filters
- Click Add Filter
- Configure filter criteria:
- Match releases: Title, category, uploader patterns
- Except releases: Exclusion patterns
- Max size/min size: File size limits
- Shows/Movies: Media-specific filters
- Set Action: Where to save downloads
- Save filter
3. Test Configuration
Verify setup:
- Check AutoDL-IRSSI → Preferences for connection status
- Monitor AutoDL-IRSSI → Log for IRC connection messages
- Wait for matching announce to test filters
Service Management
AutoDL-IRSSI runs as an Irssi systemd service for each user.
systemctl status irssi@username # Check status
systemctl restart irssi@username # Restart service
journalctl -u irssi@username -f # View live logs
systemctl enable irssi@username # Start on boot
systemctl disable irssi@username # Prevent auto-startTroubleshooting
AutoDL-IRSSI Won’t Start
journalctl -u irssi@username -fCheck Irssi script loading:
# Manual Irssi test
su - username -c "irssi"
# In Irssi: /script list (should show autodl-irssi.pl)IRC Connection Failures
Symptoms
- AutoDL shows 'Not connected' in ruTorrent
- No announces appearing in log
- Authentication failures to IRC servers
- TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined
Resolution
- MIGRATE TO AUTOBRR - AutoDL is deprecated and breaking
- Verify tracker still supports AutoDL (many have blacklisted it)
- Check IRC credentials are correct on tracker website
- Ensure Irssi service is running: systemctl status irssi@username
- Check logs for connection errors: journalctl -u irssi@username -f
Compatibility Issues
# Common errors with modern ruTorrent/rTorrent
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'options')
# This indicates incompatibility with modern versions
# Solution: Migrate to Autobrr
qb install autobrr -u usernamePermission Issues
qb fix permissions -u username
systemctl restart irssi@usernameConfiguration Reset
# Backup current configuration
cp -r ~/.autodl ~/.autodl.backup
cp -r ~/.irssi ~/.irssi.backup
# Stop service
systemctl stop irssi@username
# Remove configuration
rm -rf ~/.autodl ~/.irssi
# Reinstall
qb reinstall autodlBest Practices
Do
- MIGRATE TO AUTOBRR immediately - AutoDL is deprecated
- Check if your trackers still support AutoDL before using it
- Export your filters before migration for reference
- Document IRC credentials in a secure password manager
- Monitor logs for connection issues regularly
- Use specific filters to avoid excessive downloads
- Test filters with small batches before broad matching
- Keep ruTorrent updated if still using AutoDL
Don't
- Don't install AutoDL on new systems—use Autobrr instead
- Don't ignore deprecation warnings—plan migration now
- Don't expect support—the original developer dropped it in 2020
- Don't assume it will work—many trackers have blacklisted it
- Don't create overly broad filters—will cause excessive downloads
- Don't share IRC credentials—violates tracker rules
- Don't manually edit autodl.cfg while service is running
- Don't rely on AutoDL for critical automation—use Autobrr
Migration Path
Recommended: Migrate to Autobrr
Why Autobrr?
- Actively maintained since 2021
- Modern web interface (no ruTorrent dependency)
- Better performance and reliability
- Support for more trackers and protocols
- Native integration with *arr apps
Migration Steps:
- Document your current AutoDL filters
- Install Autobrr:
qb install autobrr -u username - Configure filters in Autobrr web interface
- Test Autobrr with a few releases
- Remove AutoDL:
qb remove autodl
Use Cases
Legacy Private Tracker Automation (Deprecated)
- Monitor IRC announce channels for new releases
- Automatically download matching torrents based on filters
- WARNING: Many trackers have blacklisted AutoDL patterns
Race/Seeding Automation (No Longer Viable)
- Instant downloads from IRC announces for faster seeding
- WARNING: Incompatibility issues make this unreliable
Filter-Based Selection (Use Autobrr Instead)
- Complex filter logic for specific release criteria
- RECOMMENDED: Migrate to Autobrr for this use case
Related Applications
Additional Resources
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