Essential IRC commands in RustNet webchat

Find and join a channel

/list opens the public channel browser. /join enters a channel; an optional channel key is a private credential. /part leaves the selected channel, or a channel you name.

Talk and open a query

Ordinary text goes to the selected conversation. /msg sends a private message to a nickname; /query opens its conversation without sending a message. /me sends an action to the current conversation.

Nicknames and user information

/nick requests a nickname change; the server can refuse unavailable or reserved nicknames. /whois requests public information about a nickname. /away sets an away message, and /away without text removes it.

Channel information and moderation

/topic requests the selected channel’s topic. Add text to request a topic change. Channel permissions determine whether it is accepted. /names #channel refreshes the nickname list.

/mode, /invite and /kick send IRC moderation requests. Being connected or signed in does not give permission to moderate a channel. X access flags and current channel operator status are different things.

Local controls and disconnecting

/ignore nickname hides incoming messages from that nickname in this browser session. /unignore reverses it. /clear clears the selected local transcript; it does not delete other people’s messages. /quit disconnects.

Tab completes nicknames and known commands. The up arrow recalls ordinary messages and safe commands. Private service commands and channel keys are excluded from recall and drafts. Multiline paste must be reviewed and sent one line at a time.

Ask the services

X manages accounts, nickname protection and channels. F handles channel games and bot requests using your X account. Send service commands privately to the named service; never put passwords into a channel.

The service references list exact syntax, aliases and required privileges. Commands on another IRC network may differ even when the service names look familiar.