USER COMMANDS

InspIRCd4 user commands

This article explains the user-facing IRC commands available on an InspIRCd4 network. Some are everyday commands, some are operator or diagnostic tools, and some only work when the matching module is loaded.

• ACCEPT: Manages the allow-list used with caller ID style protections so selected users can still message you.
• ADMIN: Shows the administrative contact and server information for the server you are connected to.
• AWAY: Sets or clears your away message so people know you are not currently active.
• COMMANDS: Lists the commands your server currently supports, which is useful when features differ between networks.
• CYCLE: Parts and immediately rejoins a channel, often used as a quick refresh.
• DCCALLOW: Lets you explicitly allow or block DCC chat or file offers from specific users.
• HEXIP: Displays an IP address in hexadecimal form for diagnostics, matching, or operator troubleshooting.
• INFO: Shows information about the running IRC server software and build.
• INVITE: Invites another user into a channel, especially useful for invite-only channels.
• ISON: Quickly checks which nicknames from a list are currently online.
• JOIN: Joins one or more channels.
• KICK: Removes a user from a channel, usually with a reason.
• KNOCK: Requests an invite to an invite-only channel when the channel allows knocking.
• LINKS: Shows the server links visible to you on the IRC network.
• LIST: Shows channels you can discover publicly, often with user counts and topics.
• LUSERS: Shows user and server counts for the network.
• MAP: Displays a tree view of the IRC network’s server layout.
• MKPASSWD: Generates a password hash using server-supported methods, mainly for administrators and services work.
• MODE: Views or changes user modes and channel modes.
• MODULES: Lists loaded server modules, which helps explain why certain commands or modes exist.
• MONITOR: Watches selected nicknames and notifies you when they come online, go offline, or change state.
• MOTD: Shows the message of the day for the server.
• NAMES: Lists the users currently in a channel.
• NICK: Changes your nickname.
• NOTICE: Sends a notice, which is like a message but should not be auto-replied to.
• OPER: Authenticates you as an IRC operator if you have operator credentials.
• PART: Leaves a channel, optionally with a part message.
• PASS: Sends a connection password during registration; clients usually handle this automatically.
• PING: Tests reachability and measures latency to a server or user.
• PONG: Replies to a ping during connection maintenance; clients usually handle it automatically.
• PRIVMSG: Sends a normal private message to a user or channel.
• QUIT: Disconnects from IRC with an optional quit message.
• REMOVE: Removes a user from a channel, often used as a quieter alternative to a kick.
• SERVLIST: Lists available network services that advertise themselves to users.
• SETNAME: Changes your displayed real name or GECOS field.
• SILENCE: Maintains a server-side ignore list for users or masks you do not want to hear from.
• SQUERY: Sends a message directly to a named service.
• SSLINFO: Shows TLS or certificate information about your connection or another TLS user.
• STATS: Displays server statistics; many subtypes are intended for operators.
• TBAN: Applies a timed ban that expires automatically after the configured duration.
• TIME: Shows the current time on a server.
• TITLE: Sets or shows a user title on networks that support account or oper titles.
• TOPIC: Views or changes a channel topic, subject to channel mode restrictions.
• UNINVITE: Revokes an invite that was previously issued to a user.
• USER: Supplies your username and real name during IRC registration; clients send this automatically.
• USERHOST: Returns quick user@host information for nicknames you specify.
• VERSION: Shows the IRC software version reported by a server or user.
• VHOST: Requests or manages a virtual host when the network provides vhost support.
• WATCH: Tracks nicknames and reports online, offline, and nickname change events.
• WHO: Lists users that match a channel, mask, or search criteria.
• WHOIS: Shows detailed information about a user, such as channels, account state, and connection details allowed by policy.
• WHOWAS: Shows recently known information about a nickname that has already disconnected or changed nick.

Tip: everyday users will mostly live in JOIN, PART, PRIVMSG, NOTICE, NICK, WHOIS, MODE, and TOPIC. The rest are situational, administrative, or network-specific.