This is a guide to Pidgin, a free-as-in-freedom instant messaging client with support for many messaging protocols.

Accounts

To add an existing account:

1. Accounts > Manage Accounts
2. Click "Add".
3. Fill-in the form, choosing Protocol, entering User Name, and switching between Basic, Advanced, and Proxy tabs.

   If you choose to enter password, beware that it is stored on your computer unencrypted. From a security standpoint, entering your password to be stored with your account is inadvisable.

4. Click "Add".

To disable an account without deleting it:

1. Accounts > Manage Accounts
2. Uncheck "Enabled" at the account

To delete an account:

1. Accounts > Manage Accounts
2. Select the account.
3. Click "Delete"

Logging

By default, Pidgin logs all instant messages you send and receive to a file. To change this:

1. Tools > Preferences
2. Logging
3. Uncheck "Log all instant messages"

Buddies

To add a buddy:

1. Buddies > Add Buddy...
2. Fill-in the form

To remove a buddy:

1. Right-click on the buddy in the buddy list
2. Choose Remove

Chat

To start a chat:

1. Buddies > Add Chat...
2. Enter Room, Exchange, Alias and Group

Files

To send a file to a buddy:

1. Right-click on the buddy in the buddy list
2. Choose Send File...

Protocols

Supported protocols:

• Bonjour
• Gadu-Gadu
• IRC
• Lotus Sametime
• MySpaceIM
• MXit
• MSNP
• Novell GroupWise
• OSCAR (AIM, ICQ, MobileMe)
• SIP/SIMPLE
• SILC
• XMPP/Jingle (Google Talk, Jabber, Facebook Chat, LJ Talk, Gizmo5, etc.)
• YMSG (YIM only basic chat and file transfers)
• Zephyr

Shortcuts

Keyboards shortcuts:

• New Instant Message...: Ctrl+M
• Join a Chat...: Ctrl+C
• Get User Info...: Ctrl+I
• View User Log...: Ctrl+L
• Add Buddy...: Ctrl+B
• Quit: Ctrl+Q
• ----
• Manage Accounts: Ctrl+A
• ----
• Custom Smileys: Ctrl+Y
• Plugins: Ctrl+U
• Preferences: Ctrl+P
• Set Mood: Ctrl+D
• File Transfers: Ctrl+T
• Mute Sounds: Ctrl+S
• ----
• Online Help: F1

Preferences

To edits preferences aka settings:

• Tools > Preferences

Versions

The latest release is 2.10.7 from 2013-02-14.

Links:

• Pidgin files at sourceforge.net
• ChangeLog, release notes at pidgin.im
• FullChangeLog release notes at pidgin.im

Gallery

• 
  Pidgin running on Windows
• 
  Pidgin running on Ubuntu
• 
  Conversation window
• 
  An IRC connection setup, in French

See also Commons:Category:Pidgin (instant messaging client).

See also

• Pidgin/Installing OTR - Installing OTR for secure messaging with pidgin

External links

• pidgin.im, Pidgin home page
• FAQ at pidgin.im
• Using Pidgin at pidgin.im
• pidgin at sourceforge.net
• W:Pidgin (software)