IRC Documentation · Beginner
Understanding and using IRC
IRC, for Internet Relay Chat, is a real-time discussion protocol. This guide helps you choose a client, understand channels and commands, and then explore the operation of the protocol and its modern extensions.
Dialova Team · Verified on
Where to Start?
To chat, start with clients and commands. To develop a client or bot, begin with the message format, then CAP and SASL.
Explore Documentation
- IRC Commands, by UseFind useful IRC commands for joining a channel, sending a message, querying a nickname, or managing permissions, with syntax and examples.
- Choosing an IRC ClientCompare IRC interfaces: graphical software, terminals, and web clients. Choose based on your device, usage, and necessary functions.
- IRC Networks, Servers, and IRCd Software: Distinguishing ThemUnderstand the difference between an IRC network, a connection server, and IRCd software. Consult sourced documents with verification dates.
- The IRC protocol: clients, messages, and channels.Explore how IRC works: connection, frames, nicknames, channels, modes, operators, CTCP, and transport. A foundation for users and developers.
- IRCv3: Modern IRC extensionsUnderstand IRCv3: CAP negotiation, SASL, tags, timestamps, accounts, and message batches. Each mechanism is explained with its specification.
- IRC Security: Identity, Confidentiality, and Good PracticesProtect Your IRC Usage: TLS, SASL, NickServ, hostmasks, IP, DCC files, suspicious links, and permissions. Advice for users and operators.
- Understanding and Designing an IRC BotLearn how an IRC bot works: transport, authentication, events, permissions, rate limiting, and recovery. An architecture explained without fragile scripting.
- History of IRC: From 1988 to IRCv3 ExtensionsFrom Jarkko Oikarinen to modern clients: The stages of the IRC protocol, RFCs, and networks, with historical and technical sources.
- IRC Glossary: Understanding Chat TermsIRC, IRCd, channel, hostmask, SASL, CTCP, DCC, bouncer, and other key protocol terms explained, with links for further reading.
A Protocol, Multiple Ways to Chat #
IRC connects clients to servers. A network can unite multiple servers sharing users and channels. You choose an interface; the person you're chatting with may use a different one. A web client, a graphical software package, and a terminal can all participate in the same channel.
IRC does not refer to a single site or a fixed interface. Account rules, histories, moderation, and available functions vary by network. Knowing a command helps you navigate, but does not automatically grant you the rights to use it.
How to Read the Examples #
A command preceded by / is entered in a client. In technical exchanges, C represents the client and S represents the server: these markers are not transmitted. Frames are presented without their CRLF termination. Texts between angle brackets describe parameters; brackets generally indicate an optional part.
Historical RFCs explain the basics. Modern IRC documentation describes current practices, and IRCv3 specifications define negotiated extensions. A capability available on a server is not a guarantee for all networks.
Try IRC with Dialova #
Dialova offers a web interface and IRC access for its accounts. The conversation relies on IRC; profiles, media, games, and calls are additional features of the site. A third-party IRC client does not necessarily reproduce these tools.
Sources & Verification
Examples use pseudonyms and fictional domains, except for explicitly documented connection points. Network-specific extensions and settings are noted in the text.
- Modern IRC — spécification du protocole client ↗Source Specification · consulted on 2026-10-29
- IRCv3 — catalogue des spécifications ↗Source Specification · consulted on 2026-10-29
- Dialova — connexion depuis mIRC ↗Source Dialova · consulted on 2026-10-29