IRC Guides · Getting started

IRC Basics

Beginner · about 12 min read

This guide assumes you have an IRC client installed (see Downloads → IRC Clients) or you use WebChat.

1. Connect to a network

In your client, add a server. For the IRCPlus community server you typically use the host and port shown on the site banner (TLS is recommended when available). Example pattern:

Server: irc.example.org
Port:   6697 (TLS) or 6667 (plain)

Choose a nickname (nick). If the nick is taken, the server will ask you to pick another, or services may hold it for the registered owner.

2. Essential commands

Commands are typed in the input box and usually start with /.

/server irc.example.org:+6697
/nick YourNick
/join #channel
/part #channel
/msg Someone Hello
/notice Someone A notice
/whois Someone
/quit Goodbye

• /join #channel — enter a channel
• /part #channel — leave a channel
• /msg nick text — private message
• /me waves — action text (* YourNick waves)
• /whois nick — information about a user
• /list — list channels (can be long on big networks)

3. Channels and modes

Channel operators (ops) can change modes. Common channel modes include:

• +n — no external messages
• +t — only ops change the topic
• +i — invite only
• +m — moderated (only voiced/+v and ops can talk)
• +k key — password required to join
• +l N — user limit

User prefixes you may see: @ op, + voice, and on some networks more levels (halfop, admin, owner).

4. Etiquette

• Read the topic and channel rules before asking questions
• Do not flood or paste huge blocks; use a pastebin
• Prefer asking in the right channel instead of random private messages
• Register your nick with services on networks that offer them (see the next guide)