opinion

An Introduction to IRC: Part 3

In his first installment, Cracker introduced us to IRC, some common terms, and popular clients, while in Part 2 he discussed modes, etiquette, and connecting through a proxy server. In this final installment, Cracker will wrap up his IRC tutorial with a comprehensive list of commands:

IRC Commands
There are many commands that will help you while chatting on IRC; you can send private messages to people, and talk using colors, bold text, etc. If you are using a script, then most of these commands will be built into pop-up windows, so you don't actually have to type them out yourself. My recommendation to learn the commands is to download mIRC and read the help file. It takes a bit of time, but it is very good source of information on IRC commands and operations.

Here's a 'complete' reference list of IRC commands and their syntax:

/ Recalls the previous line entered in the current window.

/! Recalls the last command typed in any window.

/action {action text} Sends the specified action to the active channel or query window.

/add [-apuce] {filename.ini} Loads aliases, pop-ups, users, commands, and events.

/ame {action text} Sends the specified action to all channels which you are currently on.

/amsg {text} Sends the specified message to all channels which you are currently on.

/auser {level} {nick|address} Adds a user with the specified access level to the remote users list.

/auto [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles auto-op of a nick or address or sets it on or off totally.

/away {away message} Sets you as Away, and an away message.

/away Sets you being back.

/ban [#channel] {nickname} [type] Bans the specified nick from the current or given channel.

/beep {number} {delay} Locally beeps 'number' times with 'delay' in between the beeps.

/channel Pops up the channel central window (only works in a channel).

/clear Clears the entire scroll-back buffer of the current window.

/clearall Clears all text in all open windows.

/ctcp {nickname} {ping|finger|version|time|userinfo|clientinfo} Does the given CTCP on nickname.

/closemsg {nickname} Closes the query window you have open to the specified nick.

/commands [on|off] Sets the Tools/Remote/Commands section on or off or checks its status.

/creq [ask | auto | ignore] Sets your DCC 'On Chat request' settings in DCC/Options.

/dcc send {nickname} {file1} {file2} {file3} ... {fileN} Sends the specified files to nick.

/dcc chat {nickname} Opens a DCC window and sends a DCC chat request to nickname.

/dde [-r] {service} {topic} {item} [data] Allows DDE control between mIRC and other applications.

/ddeserver [[on [service name] | off] To turn on the DDE server mode, with a given service name.

/describe {#channel} {action text} Sends the specified action to the specified channel window.

/disable {#groupname} De-activates a group of commands or events.

/disconnect Forces a hard and immediate disconnect from your IRC server. Use it with care.

/dlevel {level} Changes the default user level in the remote section.

/dns {nickname | IP address | IP name} Uses your providers DNS to resolve an IP address.

/echo [nickname|#channel|status] {text} Displays the given text only to YOU.

/enable {#groupname} Activates a group of commands or events.

/events [on|off] Shows the remote events status or sets it to listening or not.

/exit Forces mIRC to closedown and exit.

/finger Does a finger on a users address.

/flood [{numberoflines} {seconds} {pausetime}] Sets a crude flood control method.

/flush [levels] Clears all nicknames from the Remote/users list that are not on your channels.

/font Activates the font selection dialog.

/fsend [on|off] Shows fsends status and allows you to turn DCC fast send on or off.

/fserve {nickname} {maxgets} {homedirectory} [welcome text file] Opens a fileserver.

/groups [-e|d] Shows all (enabled or disabled) groups defined in the remote sections.

/guser {level} {nick} [type] Adds the user to the user list with the specified level and address type.

/help {keyword} Brings up the Basic IRC Commands section in the mIRC help file.

/ignore [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles ignoring of a nick or address or sets it on or off totally.

/invite {nickname} {#channel} Invites another user to a channel.

/join {#channel} Makes you join the specified channel.

/kick {#channel} {nickname} Kicks nickname off a given channel.

/list [#string] [-min #] [-max #] Lists all currently available channels, etc. filtering for parameters.

/load {-apuce} {filename.ini} Loads Aliases, Pop-ups or Remote items into mIRC.

/log [on|off] Shows the logging status or sets it on or off for the current window.

/me {action text} Sends the specified action to the active channel or query window.

/mode {#channel|nickname} [[+|-]modechars [parameters]] Sets channel or user modes.

/msg {nickname} {message} Send a private message to this user without opening a window.

/names {#channel} Shows the nicks of all people on the given channel.

/nick {new nickname} Changes your nickname to whatever you like.

/notice {nick} {message} Send the specified notice message to the nick.

/notify [on|off|nickname] Toggles notifying you of a nick on IRC or sets it on or off totally.

/onotice [#channel] {message} Send the specified notice message to all channel ops.

/omsg [#channel] {message} Send the specified message to all ops on a channel.

/part {#channel} Makes you leave the specified channel.

/partall Makes you leave all channels you are on.

/ping {server address} Pings the given server. NOT a nickname.

/play [-cpqmrlt] [channel/nick] {filename} [delay/linenumber] Allows you to play text files.

/pop {delay} [#channel] {nickname} Performs a randomly delayed +o on a not already opped nick.

/protect [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles protection of a nick or address or sets it on or off.

/query {nickname} {message} Open a window to this user and send them the private message.

/quit [reason] Disconnect you from IRC with the optional bye-bye message.

/raw {raw command} Sends any raw command directly to the server. Use it with care!

/remote [on|off] Shows the remote commands status or sets it to listening or not.

/rlevel {access level} Removes users from the remote users list with the specified access level.

/run {c:\path\program.exe} [parameters] Runs the specified program, etc. with parameters.

/ruser {nick[!]|address} [type] Removes the user from the remote users list.

/save [-apuce] {filename.ini} Saves remote sections into a specified INI file.

/say {text} Says whatever you want to the active window.

/server [server address [port] [password]] Reconnects to the previous server or a new one.

/sound [nickname|#channel] {filename.wav} {action text} Sends an action and sound request.

/speak {text} Uses the external text to speech program Monologue to speak up the text.

/sreq [ask | auto | ignore] Sets your DCC 'On Send request' settings in DCC/Options.

/time Tells you the time on the server you use.

/timer[N] {repetitions} {interval in seconds} {command} [| {more commands}] Activates a timer.

/timestamp [on | off] Sets time stamping on or off for all your conversations.

/topic {#channel} {newtopic} Changes the topic for the specified channel.

/ulist {level} Lists all users in the remote list with the specified access levels.

/url [-d] Opens the URL windows that allows you to surf the www parallel to IRC.

/uwho [nick] Pops up the user central with information about the specified user.

/wavplay {c:\path\sound.wav} Locally plays the specified wave file.

/who {#channel} Shows the nicks of all people on the given channel.

/who {*address.string*} Shows all people on IRC with a matching address.

/whois {nickname} Shows information about someone in the status window.

/whowas {nickname} Shows information about someone who -just- left IRC.

/write [-cidl] {filename} [text] To write the specified text to a .txt file. Many learning opportunities await you there, as well as a lot of possibilities for fun!

And for those of you who get add-on scripts, but don't know how to load them, do this:

/load -rs filename.mrc

and this will unload the script:

/unload -rs filename.mrc

I hope that this tutorial will help you to get involved in the wonderful world of IRC. Many learning opportunities await you there, as well as a lot of possibilities for fun! See you in the channels!

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Eight Steps to Help Merchants Avoid Onboarding Delays

Adding a new acquiring partner, whether directly through a bank or through a payment facilitator, can mean an onboarding process that takes up to two months.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How Layered Fraud Controls Can Stop Card Testing Before Chargebacks Hit

You suddenly have 400 new $1 trial signups. Sales are up, the approval rate looks great and, at first glance, the numbers seem worth celebrating.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

BranditScan's Aerie Saunders on Fostering Creator Knowledge, Confidence and Community

Aerie Saunders is firmly in her season. When she sits down with XBIZ, a fall-scented WoodWick candle burns in the background, pumpkins decorate her desk and the first signs of spooky season are already on display. Not that Saunders waits until autumn to embrace the macabre.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

What Mastercard's Scam Monitoring Program Means for Adult Merchants

Mastercard's Scam Merchant Monitoring Program (SMMP) has introduced a new, investigation-led framework that works very differently from the ratio-based chargeback programs the industry has relied on for years. It applies to card-not-present merchants globally, and Mastercard's guidance on business models warranting closer attention includes adult content and dating platforms, along with subscription services, digital goods and forex.

Len Garcia ·
opinion

Why the Right Merchant Category Code Matters for NSFW AI Businesses

You explained exactly what your NSFW AI business does to your payment processor and they seemed to get it. The underwriting process felt thorough and exhausting, but it was well worth it because you began processing.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How Local Payments Can Expand Access and Reduce Friction at Checkout

Global adult platforms often enter new markets with a familiar assumption: If their checkout accepts major cards, they're ready for local customers. In reality, payment habits vary widely by country. Dutch consumers use iDEAL for online shopping, BLIK is a leading e-commerce payment method in Poland, and India's UPI handles billions of transactions each month.

Mitch Platt ·
opinion

How Detailed Receipts Build Consumer Trust and Reduce Chargeback

When was the last time you bought something online? Chances are you looked for the confirmation almost immediately. Did the transaction go through? Does it show what you bought? Were you charged correctly? And if there's a problem, who can you contact?

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

What Adult Platforms Should Know About the EU AI Act

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act is now largely in force, creating new obligations for adult platforms using AI for content creation, performer verification, age estimation, moderation and other functions.

Corey Silverstein ·
profile

Verifymy's Emma Robert-Tissot on Putting People at the Heart of Online Safety

Warm, friendly and always happy to help, Emma Robert-Tissot has a gift for making even the most complex corners of online safety feel approachable.

Jackie Backman ·
profile

YourVids' Gino on Listening, Learning and Putting Creators First

Get Gino talking about the work creators pour into their careers, and his passion quickly becomes contagious. He deeply appreciates the people powering the business and has firm ideas about what they deserve in return.

Jackie Backman ·
Show More