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IRC Cheatsheet

IRC Cheatsheet

Overview

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a real-time text messaging protocol. It is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message.

Key Concepts

  • Server: A computer that hosts an IRC network.
  • Network: A collection of IRC servers that are connected to each other.
  • Channel: A discussion forum on an IRC network.
  • Nickname: Your username on an IRC network.
  • Client: A program that you use to connect to an IRC network.

Common Commands

  • /join #channel: Join a channel.
  • /part #channel: Leave a channel.
  • /nick new_nickname: Change your nickname.
  • /msg nickname message: Send a private message to a user.
  • /query nickname: Open a private message window with a user.
  • /whois nickname: Get information about a user.
  • /away message: Set your status to away.
  • /back: Set your status to active.
  • /quit message: Disconnect from the IRC network.

IRC Clients

  • HexChat: A popular IRC client for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • mIRC: A popular IRC client for Windows.
  • irssi: A popular command-line IRC client for Linux and macOS.

Common Use Cases

  • Community Chat: Chat with people who share your interests.
  • Technical Support: Get help with technical problems.
  • Open Source Projects: Collaborate on open source projects.

Additional Resources