IRC Commands

Each client varies greatly on the procedures it automates and how they are automated. With the Windows-based clients, most commands even have shortcuts available with a click of the right mouse button. This section will focus on the basic commands of IRC and their functions, of both the user and the operator. This should give you a better understanding of what can be done, how it is done, and by whom, no matter what client you use.

User's Commands

• /server - connects to a server
  Usage: /server server.name.here port number
• /list - lists all the channels, or lists the channels with a key word in the title
  Usage: /list keyword
• /join - joins a channel
  Usage: /join #channel_name
• /part - leaves a channel
  Usage: /part #channel_name
• /nick - sets your nickname
  Usage: /nick newnick
• /me - tells the channel or person what you are doing
  Usage: /me action
• /msg - sends a private message to a user
  Usage: /msg nick message
• /querry - similar to msg (depends on the client being used)
  
• /whois - gives you some information on the user
  Usage: /whois nick
• /ctcp - lets you use a whole series of commands
  Usage: /ctcp nick command
  Commands:
  • ping - sends a data packet to the user and times the return trip to tell you if the person is lagging
  • finger - querries for the user's e-mail address
  • version - tells you which client the user is using
  • time - tells you the local time for the user
• /dcc - establishes a link off the network by linking the two IP addresses
  Usage: /dcc command nick
  Commands:
  • chat - a direct chat link
  • send - a direct file transfer
• /away - sends a reply to anyone who sends a message to you while you're away from your computer
  Usage: /away comments
• /quit - quits IRC

Operator's Commands

The Operator (OPs) of each channel does have control over the channel and its users. They can exercise this control using the following commands:

• /topic - sets the topic for the channel
  Usage: /topic channel_topic
• /invite - invites a user to the channel
  Usage: /invite user #channel
• /kick - kicks a user out of the channel
  Usage: /kick user #channel
• /mode - sets variables for the room with either a + or -
  • k - sets a key word to get into the channel
    Usage: /mode #channel +k key_word
  • s - makes the channel secret
    Usage: /mode #channel +i
  • o - makes a user an operator
    Usage: /mode #channel +o nick
  • t - only operators can set topic
    Usage: /mode #channel +t
  • l - sets a limit on channel members
    Usage: /mode #channel +l limit
  • b - bans a user from the channel
    Usage: /mode #channel +b nick (or user@host)
  • m - makes the channel a moderated channel where only OPs can speak
    Usage: /mode #channel +m
  • v - gives a user a voice on a moderated channel
    Usage: /mode #channel +v nick