Basic IRC Commands for Beginners

Here's the nice thing about IRC: the commands haven't changed in decades, so the handful below work the same in just about any client — whether you're on mIRC, a terminal, or a browser tab. If you're new to #Makati, these are the ones you'll reach for every day.

/join — join a channel of your choice.
Example: /join #Makati

/me — an action message.
Type /me does anything · Example: /me waves hello
What it looks like: * Jhong waves hello

/msg — start a private chat.
Type /msg nickname (message) · Example: /msg jhong Hey tat, how are you?

/nick — change your nickname.
Example: /nick newnickname (limit 32 characters)

/notice — send a short message without opening a private window.
Example: /notice badnick Please change your nickname, this is a family channel.

/part — leave a channel.
Type /part to leave one channel, or /partall to leave all channels you are in.

/ping — check the lag time between you and another person.
Example: /ping luv2quilt · Lag is the time it takes for your message to reach others — usually just a nuisance.

/query — like /msg, but forces a chat window to pop open.
Example: /query Sofaspud^ Sooo…what's new?

/quit — leave IRC altogether (disconnects from the server).
Example: /quit Going out for dinner…nite all

/ignore — stop receiving messages from someone.
Example: /ignore luv2quilt 3 · To un-ignore: /ignore -r luv2quilt 3

/whois — see more information about another user (their server, ISP, and what channels they're in).
Example: /whois bossmom

/chat — open a DCC/CHAT window to another user (keeps going even if you get disconnected).
Example: /chat oddjob^
Word of caution: Do not accept DCC chats or files from anyone you don't know.

/help — open mIRC's built-in help menu, or /help topic for a specific topic. A ton of information at your fingertips.

A few more worth knowing

/topic — view (or set) the channel topic. Always read it when you join; it usually holds the channel's rules.

/away — mark yourself away with a message. Example: /away grabbing lunch · clear it with /away (no message).

/list — browse the channels on the network (there are thousands).

You'll also meet two services constantly: NickServ protects your nickname and ChanServ manages channels. Good next steps: register and protect your nickname, and — if you want to stay in the channel even with your client closed — run a bouncer.

Pro tip: start typing someone's nickname and press Tab to auto-complete it — faster, and no typos.

Note: These are part of IRC itself, so they work in pretty much any client — mIRC (Windows), Textual (macOS), WeeChat (terminal), web clients like KiwiIRC or The Lounge, or Goguma on your phone. A couple (like /chat for DCC) are mIRC-specific. No client yet? You can chat in your browser in two clicks, then /join #Makati.