Common IRC Commands

Here are the text versions for some common IRC commands. These are entered in the input area. All commands are preceded by a forward slash - that's the way they are differentiated from input text. These also help you see what operations you can perform on IRC.

• In many programs, there is a menu choice for joining a room. If not, use:

  /join channel -- Join or change to a channel.

  For example: /join #windows95 OR /join #macintosh

  If you need help, see the program's help, or try:

  /join #help OR /join #irchelp

  If you are on DALnet and need help just type:

  /join #DragonRealm

  See also: DALnet: good rooms to try first.

  In many chart programs, double-clicking on a user's nickname in the user list is the same as performing a /whois on that user.

  /whois nickname -- Obtain information on a particular user.

  /nick newnickname -- Change your nickname

  Listing channels:

  /list -- List all visible channels.

  PLEASE NOTE: Popular channels are named after countries, and anything that is related to sex. (Yes, even on IRC...) In many chat programs, there are tools or menu choices for listing all rooms.

  /list -min 20 -- List only busy channels (in this case, those with at least 20 people)

  /list -max 50 -- List only channels with less than 50 people.

  Exiting a channel:

  /part channel Exit a channel

  /leave channel Exit a channel

  Leave a channel AND leave a message:

  /quit message -- For example: /quit See you Later!

  Hop over to a new channel AND leave the current channel:

  /hop newchannel

  List IRC command and information:

  /help

  You can also send messages privately to another user. This is also called whispering. These messages are usually in a different color, may be in a separate window, and you may hear a sound when you receive one. Many programs have simpler ways of doing this. (In Netscape Chat, just highlight the nick name you want to whisper to, and enter your message in the input area. Be sure to de-select that user when done.) Here are the text-based commands for this.

  /msg nickname message -- Send a message (any text you specify) to the user at the designated nickname

  /query nickname -- Send all subsequent messages to the designated user (which saves you from having to type /msg all the time).

  /ignore nickname all -- Ignore all messages from the designated user (handy for pesty people).

  /ignore nickname none -- Turn off the ignore command.