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AutoDL-IRSSI

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

View Autobrr documentation →

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
Not Recommended — Install Autobrr

AutoDL-IRSSI should not be installed on new systems. Install Autobrr instead. The steps below are for legacy users only.

Install from the Dashboard

Open App Dashboard → Package Management (/dashboard?mode=packages), find autodl-irssi in the catalog, and click Install. AutoDL is a system-wide package — it configures the Irssi backend for every user on the server, so installing and removing it is an administrator operation. The dashboard streams the install log live; Reinstall, Update, and Remove are on the same panel. See App Management for the full flow.

Install from the CLI (automation)

The CLI runs the same scripts as the Dashboard. AutoDL installs for all users at once, so it takes no -u flag:

qb help autodl
qb install autodl
qb reinstall autodl
qb update autodl
qb remove autodl

Full flag reference: CLI Reference. Each user’s Irssi backend is assigned a random port (2000-35000) — find yours in ruTorrent → Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI.

Accessing AutoDL-IRSSI

After installation, access AutoDL-IRSSI configuration via ruTorrent:

  1. Open ruTorrent web interface
  2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon)
  3. Select AutoDL-IRSSI tab
  4. 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:

  1. In ruTorrent, go to Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI → Trackers
  2. Select your tracker from the list
  3. Enter IRC credentials:
    • IRC Server: Pre-configured for most trackers
    • IRC Channels: Pre-configured announce channels
    • IRC Announce Names: Bot names to monitor
  4. Save configuration

2. Create Filters

Set up filters to match specific releases:

  1. Go to Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI → Filters
  2. Click Add Filter
  3. 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
  4. Set Action: Where to save downloads
  5. Save filter

3. Test Configuration

Verify setup:

  1. Check AutoDL-IRSSI → Preferences for connection status
  2. Monitor AutoDL-IRSSI → Log for IRC connection messages
  3. 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-start

Troubleshooting

AutoDL-IRSSI Won’t Start

AutoDL runs as a per-user irssi@username systemd service, with the Irssi client inside a detached screen session. If the service shows failed or inactive (dead), check the journal first:

systemctl status irssi@username
journalctl -u irssi@username -f

Verify the Irssi plugin actually loads:

# Manual Irssi test
su - username -c "irssi"
# In Irssi: /script list (should show autodl-irssi.pl)
Symptom: 'irssi@username.service: Failed' or the screen session keeps dying

The service is Type=forking and launches Irssi via screen -d -m. If the screen or irssi packages are missing, or the autorun plugin is corrupt, the service fails to fork. Reinstall to restore the dependency set and the plugin:

qb reinstall autodl
systemctl restart irssi@username
Symptom: AutoDL tab missing in ruTorrent, or no port shown in Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI

The web GUI is provided by the ruTorrent plugin, which connects to the Irssi backend over a local port written into your ruTorrent config.php. If ruTorrent was installed after AutoDL, the plugin wiring is not in place. Reinstall AutoDL so the ruTorrent plugin and per-user port/password are re-injected:

qb reinstall autodl

AutoDL has no standalone web page — all configuration is reached through ruTorrent → Settings → AutoDL-IRSSI.

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 username

Permission Issues

qb fix permissions -u username
systemctl restart irssi@username

Configuration 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 autodl

FAQ

This error means the AutoDL-IRSSI plugin is incompatible with your current ruTorrent / rTorrent / libtorrent versions. The upstream project was abandoned in 2020 and no longer works reliably with modern stacks. There is no fix — migrate to Autobrr, the actively maintained replacement: qb install autobrr -u username.
First confirm the service is running with systemctl status irssi@username and tail journalctl -u irssi@username -f for IRC connection errors. Then verify your tracker still permits AutoDL — many private trackers have blacklisted its matching patterns. If credentials and the service are correct but it still will not connect, the cause is almost always tracker-side blacklisting; migrate to Autobrr.
AutoDL depends on irssi and screen and runs inside a detached screen session managed by irssi@username.service. A failed start usually means a missing dependency or a corrupt autorun plugin. Run qb reinstall autodl to restore the dependency set and plugin, then systemctl restart irssi@username.
Autobrr provides an online converter that turns AutoDL filters into Autobrr's JSON format. Export your current AutoDL filters for reference, install Autobrr with qb install autobrr -u username, import the converted filters, test with a few releases, then remove AutoDL with qb remove autodl.

Best 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

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:

  1. Document your current AutoDL filters
  2. Install Autobrr: qb install autobrr -u username
  3. Configure filters in Autobrr web interface
  4. Test Autobrr with a few releases
  5. Remove AutoDL: qb remove autodl

View Autobrr documentation →

Recommended Alternative

Autobrr ⭐

Media Management

SonarrRadarr

Download Clients

rTorrentruTorrent

Additional Resources

AutoDL-IRSSI Community Fork

Community-maintained fork (no longer active)

Autobrr GitHub

Modern replacement - actively maintained

Autobrr Documentation

Official Autobrr documentation

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