List of IRC commands
Encyclopedia
This is a list of all Internet Relay Chat
commands from IETF RFC
s 1459 and 2812. Most IRC clients require commands to be preceded by a slash ("/"). Angle brackets ("<" and ">") denote what's placed in the encapsulated field, not a literal part of the command. Arguments encapsulated in square brackets ("[" and "]") are optional and override the command's defaults.
Instructs the server to return information about the administrator of the server specified by, or the current server if target is omitted.
Defined inRFC 1459
Provides the server with a message to automatically send in reply to a PRIVMSG directed at the user, but not to a channel they are on.
If is omitted, the away status is removed.
Defined inRFC 1459
Instructs the server (or the current server, if is omitted) to connect to on port .
This command should only be available to IRC Operator
s.
Defined inRFC 1459 ; the parameter became mandatory in RFC 2812
Instructs the server to shut down.
Defined inRFC 2812
This command is for use by servers to report errors to other servers. It is also used before terminating client connections.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns information about the server, or the current server if is omitted. Information returned includes the server's version, when it was compiled, the patch level
, when it was started, and any other information which may be considered to be relevant.
Defined inRFC 1459
Invites to the channel . does not have to exist, but if it does, only members of the channel are allowed to invite other clients. If the channel mode i is set, only channel operators may invite other clients.
Defined inRFC 1459
Queries the server to see if the clients in the space-separated list are currently on the network. The server returns only the nicknames that are on the network in a space-separated list. If none of the clients are on the network the server returns an empty list.
Defined inRFC 1459
Makes the client join the channels in the comma-separated list, specifying the passwords, if needed, in the comma-separated list . If the channel(s) do not exist then they will be created.
Defined inRFC 1459
Forcibly removes from . This command may only be issued by channel operators.
Defined inRFC 1459
Forcibly removes from the network. This command may only be issued by IRC operators.
Defined inRFC 1459
Lists all server links matching, if given, on , or the current server if omitted.
Defined inRFC 1459
Lists all channels on the server. If the comma-separated list is given, it will return the channel topics. If is given, the command will be forwarded to for evaluation.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns statistics about the size of the network. If called with no arguments, the statistics will reflect the entire network. If is given, it will return only statistics reflecting the masked subset of the network. If is given, the command will be forwarded to for evaluation.
Defined inRFC 2812
The MODE command is dual-purpose. It can be used to set both user and channel modes.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns the message of the day on or the current server if it is omitted.
Defined inRFC 2812
Returns a list of who is on the comma-separated list of, by channel name. If is omitted, all users are shown, grouped by channel name with all users who are not on a channel being shown as part of channel "*". If is specified, the command is sent to for evaluation.
Defined inRFC 1459 ; the optional parameter was added in RFC 2812
Allows a client to change their IRC nickname. Hopcount is for use between servers to specify how far away a nickname is from its home server.
Defined inRFC 1459 ; the optional parameter was removed in RFC 2812
This command works similarly to PRIVMSG, except automatic replies must never be sent in reply to NOTICE messages.
Defined inRFC 1459
Authenticates a user as an IRC operator on that server/network.
Defined inRFC 1459
Causes a user to leave the channels in the comma-separated list.
Defined inRFC 1459
Sets a connection password. This command must be sent before the NICK/USER registration combination.
Defined inRFC 1459
Tests the presence of a connection. A PING message results in a PONG reply. If is specified, the message gets passed on to it.
Defined inRFC 1459
This command is a reply to the PING command and works in much the same way.
Defined inRFC 1459
Sends to , which is usually a user or channel.
Defined inRFC 1459
Disconnects the user from the server.
Defined inRFC 1459
Causes the server to re-read and re-process its configuration file(s). This command can only be sent by IRC Operators.
Defined inRFC 1459
Restarts a server. It may only be sent by IRC Operators.
Defined inRFC 1459
Registers a new service on the network.
Defined inRFC 2812
Lists the services currently on the network.
Defined inRFC 2812
The server message is used to tell a server that the other end of a new connection is a server. This message is also used to pass server data over whole net.
details how many hops (server connections) away is.
contains addition human-readable information about the server.
Defined inRFC 1459
Identical to PRIVMSG except the recipient must be a service.
Defined inRFC 2812
Causes to quit the network.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns statistics about the current server, or if it's specified.
Defined inRFC 1459
Gives users who are on the same host as a message asking them to join IRC.
Defined inRFC 1459 ; the optional parameter was added in RFC 2812
Returns the local time on the current server, or if specified.
Defined inRFC 1459
Allows the client to query or set the channel topic on. If is given, it sets the channel topic to . If channel mode +t is set, only a channel operator may set the topic.
Defined inRFC 1459
Trace a path across the IRC network to a specific server or client, in a similar method to traceroute
.
Defined inRFC 1459
This command is used at the beginning of a connection to specify the username, hostname, real name and initial user modes of the connecting client. may contain spaces, and thus must be prefixed with a colon.
Defined inRFC 1459 , modified in RFC 2812
Returns a list of information about the nicknames specified.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns a list of users and information about those users in a format similar to the UNIX
commands who
, rusers and finger.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns the version of, or the current server if omitted.
Defined inRFC 1459
Sends to all operators connected to the server (RFC 1459 ), or all users with user mode 'w' set (RFC 2812 ).
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns a list of users who match. If the flag "o" is given, the server will only return information about IRC Operators.
Defined inRFC 1459
Returns information about the comma-separated list of nicknames masks. If is given, the command is forwarded to it for processing.
Defined inRFC 1459
Used to return information about a nickname that is no longer in use (due to client disconnection, or nickname changes). If given, the server will return information from the last times the nickname has been used. If is given, the command is forwarded to it for processing. In RFC 2812 , can be a comma-separated list of nicknames.
Defined inRFC 1459
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
commands from IETF RFC
Request for Comments
In computer network engineering, a Request for Comments is a memorandum published by the Internet Engineering Task Force describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems.Through the Internet Society, engineers and...
s 1459 and 2812. Most IRC clients require commands to be preceded by a slash ("/"). Angle brackets ("<" and ">") denote what's placed in the encapsulated field, not a literal part of the command. Arguments encapsulated in square brackets ("[" and "]") are optional and override the command's defaults.
ADMIN
Syntax:ADMIN [ ]
Instructs the server to return information about the administrator of the server specified by
Defined in
AWAY
Syntax:AWAY [ ]
Provides the server with a message to automatically send in reply to a PRIVMSG directed at the user, but not to a channel they are on.
If
Defined in
CONNECT
Syntax:CONNECT [ [ ]] RFC 1459 )CONNECT [ ] RFC 2812 )
Instructs the server
This command should only be available to IRC Operator
IRC operator
An IRC operator is a user on an Internet Relay Chat network who has privileged access. IRC operators are charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas...
s.
Defined in
DIE
Syntax:DIE
Instructs the server to shut down.
Defined in
ERROR
Syntax:ERROR
This command is for use by servers to report errors to other servers. It is also used before terminating client connections.
Defined in
INFO
Syntax:INFO [ ]
Returns information about the
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
, when it was started, and any other information which may be considered to be relevant.
Defined in
INVITE
Syntax:INVITE
Invites
Defined in
ISON
Syntax:ISON
Queries the server to see if the clients in the space-separated list
Defined in
JOIN
Syntax:JOIN [ ]
Makes the client join the channels in the comma-separated list
Defined in
KICK
Syntax:KICK [ ]
Forcibly removes
Defined in
KILL
Syntax:KILL
Forcibly removes
Defined in
LINKS
Syntax:LINKS [ [ ]]
Lists all server links matching
Defined in
LIST
Syntax:LIST [ [ ]]
Lists all channels on the server. If the comma-separated list
Defined in
LUSERS
Syntax:LUSERS [ [ ]]
Returns statistics about the size of the network. If called with no arguments, the statistics will reflect the entire network. If
Defined in
MODE
Syntax:MODE (user) MODE [ ]
The MODE command is dual-purpose. It can be used to set both user and channel modes.
Defined in
MOTD
Syntax:MOTD [ ]
Returns the message of the day on
Defined in
NAMES
Syntax:NAMES [ ] RFC 1459 )NAMES [ [ ]] RFC 2812 )
Returns a list of who is on the comma-separated list of
Defined in
NICK
Syntax:NICK [ ] RFC 1459 )NICK RFC 2812 )
Allows a client to change their IRC nickname. Hopcount is for use between servers to specify how far away a nickname is from its home server.
Defined in
NOTICE
Syntax:NOTICE
This command works similarly to PRIVMSG, except automatic replies must never be sent in reply to NOTICE messages.
Defined in
OPER
Syntax:OPER
Authenticates a user as an IRC operator on that server/network.
Defined in
PART
Syntax:PART
Causes a user to leave the channels in the comma-separated list
Defined in
PASS
Syntax:PASS
Sets a connection password. This command must be sent before the NICK/USER registration combination.
Defined in
PING
Syntax:PING [ ]
Tests the presence of a connection. A PING message results in a PONG reply. If
Defined in
PONG
Syntax:PONG [ ]
This command is a reply to the PING command and works in much the same way.
Defined in
PRIVMSG
Syntax:PRIVMSG
Sends
Defined in
QUIT
Syntax:QUIT [ ]
Disconnects the user from the server.
Defined in
REHASH
Syntax:REHASH
Causes the server to re-read and re-process its configuration file(s). This command can only be sent by IRC Operators.
Defined in
RESTART
Syntax:RESTART
Restarts a server. It may only be sent by IRC Operators.
Defined in
SERVICE
Syntax:SERVICE
Registers a new service on the network.
Defined in
SERVLIST
Syntax:SERVLIST [ [ ]]
Lists the services currently on the network.
Defined in
SERVER
Syntax:SERVER
The server message is used to tell a server that the other end of a new connection is a server. This message is also used to pass server data over whole net.
Defined in
SQUERY
Syntax:SQUERY
Identical to PRIVMSG except the recipient must be a service.
Defined in
SQUIT
Syntax:SQUIT
Causes
Defined in
STATS
Syntax:STATS [ ]
Returns statistics about the current server, or
Defined in
SUMMON
Syntax:SUMMON [ ] RFC 1459 )SUMMON [ [ ]] RFC 2812 )
Gives users who are on the same host as
Defined in
TIME
Syntax:TIME [ ]
Returns the local time on the current server, or
Defined in
TOPIC
Syntax:TOPIC [ ]
Allows the client to query or set the channel topic on
Defined in
TRACE
Syntax:TRACE [ ]
Trace a path across the IRC network to a specific server or client, in a similar method to traceroute
Traceroute
traceroute is a computer network diagnostic tool for displaying the route and measuring transit delays of packets across an Internet Protocol network. Traceroute is available on most operating systems....
.
Defined in
USER
Syntax:USER RFC 1459 )USER RFC 2812 )
This command is used at the beginning of a connection to specify the username, hostname, real name and initial user modes of the connecting client.
Defined in
USERHOST
Syntax:USERHOST [ ...]
Returns a list of information about the nicknames specified.
Defined in
USERS
Syntax:USERS [ ]
Returns a list of users and information about those users in a format similar to the UNIX
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
commands who
Who (Unix)
The standard Unix command who displays a list of users who are currently logged into a computer.The who command is related to the command w, which provides the same information but also displays additional data and statistics.- Specification :...
, rusers and finger.
Defined in
VERSION
Syntax:VERSION [ ]
Returns the version of
Defined in
WALLOPS
Syntax:WALLOPS
Sends
Defined in
WHO
Syntax:WHO [ ["o"]]
Returns a list of users who match
Defined in
WHOIS
Syntax:WHOIS [ ]
Returns information about the comma-separated list of nicknames masks
Defined in
WHOWAS
Syntax:WHOWAS [ [ ]]
Used to return information about a nickname that is no longer in use (due to client disconnection, or nickname changes). If given, the server will return information from the last
Defined in