Basic IRC Commands
IRC commands allow you to perform specific functions on IRC, such as maintaining control of a channel and the users on it. The following list of basic IRC commands should help you get started. There are also Other Commands you can look at later.
General Commands
/JOIN #channel
Joins the specified channel.
example: /join #irchelp
This will make you join the #irchelp channel. Once on a channel, anything you type will be seen by all the users on this channel. The #irchelp channel is very useful, so say hello and then ask any questions you want. If the channel you specified doesn't exist, a channel with that name will be created for you.
Some channels may also have keys ie. a password, which you need to specify when using the /join command.
example: /join #irchelp trout
This will make you join the #irchelp channel using "trout" as the password.
/PART #channel
Leaves a channel.
example: /part #irchelp
/LIST [#channel] [-MIN #] [-MAX #]
Lists currently available channels. You can also tell mIRC to show only channels with a minimum and a maximum number of people. If you specify a #channel then mIRC will only list information for that channel. If you specify wildcards, eg. *love* then mIRC will list all channels that contain the word love in them.
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example: |
/list |
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/list -min 5 -max 20 |
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example: |
/list #mirc |
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example: |
/list *love* |
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/ME message |
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Tells the current channel or query about what you are doing. |
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/QUERY nickname message |
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Opens a query window to this user and sends them a private message. |
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/MSG nickname message |
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Sends a private message to this user without opening a query window. |
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/NOTICE nickname message |
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Sends a private message to this user without opening a query window |
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for either you or them. |
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/WHOIS nickname |
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Shows information about someone. |
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/NICK nickname |
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Changes your nickname to a new nickname. |
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/QUIT [reason] |
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Disconnects you from IRC and will give the optional message as the reason for your departure. (this message only appears to people who are on the same channels as you). |
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example: /quit That's all folks! |
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/AWAY [away message] |
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Leaves a message explaining that you are not currently paying attention to IRC. Whenever someone sends you a MSG or does a WHOIS on you, they automatically see whatever message you set. Using AWAY with no parameters marks you as no longer being away. |
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example: /away off to get something to eat, back in a moment! |
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/TOPIC #channel newtopic |
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Changes the topic for the channel. |
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example: /topic #friendly Oh what a beautiful day! |
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/INVITE nickname #channel |
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Invites another user to a channel. |
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Channel and User Commands |
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If you have Op status, the following commands give you control over both a channel and the users on it. |
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/KICK #channel nickname |
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Kicks named user off a given channel. |
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example: /kick #gb Ed |
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/MODE #channel|nickname [[+|-]modechars [parameters]] |
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This is a powerful command that gives channel operators control of a channel and the users on it. |
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Channel modes |
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ModeChar Effects on channels |
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~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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b <person> ban somebody, <person> in "nick!user@host" form |
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i channel is invite-only |
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l <number> channel is limited, <number> users allowed max |
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m channel is moderated, (only chanops can talk) |
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n external /MSGs to channel are not allowed |
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o <nickname> makes <nickname> a channel operator |
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p channel is private |
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s channel is secret |
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t topic limited, only chanops may change it |
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k <key> set secret key for a channel |
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User modes |
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ModeChar Effects on nicknames |
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~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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i makes you invisible to anybody that does |
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not know the exact spelling of your nickname |
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o IRC-operator status, can only be set |
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by IRC-ops with OPER |
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s receive server notices |
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v gives a user a voice on a moderated channel |
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Here a few examples of the MODE command: |
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To give someone Op status: /mode #channelname +o nickname |
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Giving someone Op status means giving them control over the channel and the users on it. Give this out sparingly and to people you trust. |
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To op several people: /mode #channelname +ooo nick1 nick2 nick3 |
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To de-op someone: /mode #channelname -o nickname |
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To ban someone: /mode #channelname +b nickname (or user address) |
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example: /mode #animals +b Jiminy |
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example: /mode #tree +b joe@bloggs.edu |
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To Unban someone: /mode #channelname -b nickname (or user address) |
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example: /mode #gb -b Ed |
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To Make a channel invite only: /mode #channelname +i |
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You must now invite a user for them to be able to join your channel. |
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There many more commands but this list should help you get started. To learn more about IRC commands you should download an IRC FAQ. |
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