hangups is a Python library for writing instant messaging clients that interoperate with Google Hangouts. hangups also includes a reference client with a command line user interface.
In May 2013, Google replaced their "Talk" instant messaging product, based on XMPP, with "Hangouts", which adopted a proprietary, non-interoperable protocol. Because of this, hangouts must be implemented by reverse-engineering. For now it's still possible to connect to Hangouts using the standard XMPP protocol, but this restricts features like group messaging that hangups allows.
hangups is working, but is pre-alpha quality. The API will change, and it shouldn't be relied on for serious work.
- logging in (with second factor support)
- switching between conversations
- receiving chat messages and other events via push
- sending chat messages
Python 3.4 is required (Python 3.3 might work but is not tested). To install and run (virtualenv recommended):
pip install hangups hangups
Follow the prompts to log into your Google account. In the Conversations tab, use arrow keys to scroll through the list of existing conversations, and press return to select one. In a conversation, use arrow keys to scroll through messages and to select the "Send message" box. Type a message and press return to send it. At any time you use use ctrl+d and ctrl+u to switch between tabs.