Is there a set of emoji I can use with Pidgin?

Yes!  Pidgin supports custom emoji sets, and we have created one that matches what is available to the guest in their chat box and also what is available in our own webclient for staffing.  

Download the custom emoji file and install it to the right place

1. Download the libraryh3lp-emojis.zip file.  
2. Copy or move the file into the following directory, which is part of your individual Pidgin configuration:
   • C:\Users\**your-username**\AppData\Roaming\.purple\smileys
   • Note: the AppData directory may be hidden. If you do not see it, try turning on visibility of hidden files in Windows File Explorer.  In Windows 11, that is View > Show > (select "Hidden items").
3. ​Double-click the zip file and make sure to unzip/extract the files so that they wind up in a subdirectory within the smileys directory.  The name of the directory is not important, but the default will be "libraryh3lp-emojis," based on the name of the zip file.
4. Verify that everything looks good by heading into the libraryh3lp-emojis directory.  You should see a whole bunch of small files ending with ".png" and one text file called "theme."
5. Example of final correct folder hierarchy:
   • C:\Users\**your-username**\AppData\Roaming\.purple\smileys\libraryh3lp-emojis

Tell Pidgin you want to use the custom emojis

1. In Pidgin, head to Tools > Preferences.
2. Select Themes.  It is at the bottom of the left menu in Preferences.
3. Select the Smiley Theme category and pick LibraryH3lp from the drop-down list.

Using the emojis within Pidgin

You'll use the Smile! emoji selector to pick what you want to send to your guest.  If guests send you emoji through their chat box, you'll see what they sent in the chat.

That's it!  Now you should have a set of emoji's that will work with your LibraryH3lp guests.  And when guests send you emoji from their chat box, you will see what they sent, too.

But I like to use keyboard shortcuts for a couple of emoji's...

Ah yes, us too.  You can add these by using Pidgin's Manage custom smileys feature.  Here is how:

1. Open a conversation window by double-clicking an item in your contacts list. 
2. Select the Smile! option just about your message composition area.
3. Select Manage custom smileys
4. Select Add...
5. Use the Image area to find the image file that you want to send.
   • Click the placeholder image to locate the desired image file.
   • You can use any image file on your computer.
   • If you want to use a file from the LibraryH3lp emoji set, use the pencil icon to open up the ability to type the path to the directory in the Location field.
     • For example: C:\Users\**your-username**\AppData\Roaming\.purple\smileys\libraryh3lp-emojis
     • 
     • For example: 1f642.png is a simple smiley face such as you might use with the shortcut :)
     • Select the desired file and click Open.
6. Provide your desired Shortcut text, such as :)
7. Click Add.
   • 

Repeat with other images and shortcuts until you're done.  Now you can type your keyboard shortcuts instead of using the graphical emoji selector.

FAQ URL: