OK, I use [[https://brew.sh/i|Homebrew]] on '''macOS Sierra''' and I wanted to get Hangouts to work. This page explains how to install Pidgin in order to get `libpurple`, how to build `purple-hangouts` to add Hangouts support to `libpurple`, how to build Bitlbee such that you can use it, and how to set up your account.

I assume you have Bitlbee already installed. If not, here it is:

{{{
brew install bitlbee
}}}

This makes sure you have all the correct files and directories. For example, `/usr/local/lib/bitlbee/` is where you would install plugins like `facebook` or `bitlbee-discord`, and `/usr/local/share/bitlbee/` is where the `help.txt` file is installed.
/
Now comes the real stuff. First, install [[https://pidgin.im/|Pidgin]].

{{{
brew install pidgin
}}}

Next, clone the Bitlbee sources using git.

{{{
git clone https://github.com/bitlbee/bitlbee.git
}}}

Build Bitlbee with libpurple support:

{{{
cd bitlbee
./configure --purple=1
make
make install
}}}

If you run it, you should see a lot more protocols -- but still no Hangouts:

{{{#!irc
11:28 <kensanata> plugins
11:28 <root> Plugin                          Version
11:28 <root> bitlbee-discord                 0.3.1
11:28 <root> facebook                        1.1.1
11:28 <root> gg                              2.12.0
11:28 <root> icq                             2.12.0
11:28 <root> irc                             2.12.0
11:28 <root> jabber                          2.12.0
11:28 <root> novell                          2.12.0
11:28 <root> oscar                           2.12.0
11:28 <root> simple                          2.12.0
11:28 <root> zephyr                          2.12.0
11:28 <root>  
11:28 <root> Enabled Protocols: aim, discord, facebook, gg, icq, identica,
    irc, jabber, mastodon, novell, oscar, simple, twitter, zephyr
}}}

Install [[https://www.mercurial-scm.org/|Mercury]] and [[https://github.com/protobuf-c/protobuf-c|Protocol Buffers implementation in C]] in order to build the [[https://bitbucket.org/EionRobb/purple-hangouts|Hangouts Plugin for libpurple]]. You'll note that there are also other dependencies but I already had all the other stuff installed. Nothing tricky to figure out for yourself, I hope. If you run into problems, leave a comment and I'll see whether I can figure it out.

{{{
brew install hg
brew install protobuf-c
hg clone https://bitbucket.org/EionRobb/purple-hangouts
cd putple-hangouts
make
make install
}}}

When you start Bitlbee, make sure you use `-F` instead of `-D` or you'll get an error as soon as you try to sign into an account using `libpurple`.

If you restart Bitblee now, the `plugins` command should list `hangouts`.

{{{#!irc
11:42 <kensanata> plugins
11:42 <root> Plugin                          Version
11:42 <root> bitlbee-discord                 0.3.1
11:42 <root> facebook                        1.1.1
11:42 <root> gg                              2.12.0
11:42 <root> hangouts                        0.1
11:42 <root> icq                             2.12.0
11:42 <root> irc                             2.12.0
11:42 <root> jabber                          2.12.0
11:42 <root> novell                          2.12.0
11:42 <root> oscar                           2.12.0
11:42 <root> simple                          2.12.0
11:42 <root> zephyr                          2.12.0
11:42 <root>  
11:42 <root> Enabled Protocols: aim, discord, facebook, gg, hangouts, icq,
    identica, irc, jabber, mastodon, novell, oscar, simple, twitter, zephyr
}}}

Set it up:

{{{
account add hangouts <your email address>
account on
}}}

You'll be contacted by a fake account called `purple_request` with instructions on how to get the OAuth token. It will link you to a YouTube video but the description of the video are the real instructions.

Answer `purple_request` with the token and you should be up and running.

Don't forget to `save` your configuration.