---
name: "irc"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "ircd-dalnet"
version: "4.6.7-3"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/irc"
---

# irc(1)

User Interface to Internet Relay Chat Protocol

## NAME

irc - User Interface to Internet Relay Chat Protocol

## SYNOPSIS

**irc** \[**-p** *portnum*\] \[**-c** *channel*\] \[ *nickname* \[ *server* \]\]

## DESCRIPTION

**Irc** is a user interface to the Internet Relay Chat, a CB-like interactive discussion environment.  It is structured into *channels*, which are public discussion forums, and also allows for private intercommunication. Each participant has a *nickname*, which is the one specified in the command line or else his login name.

Once invoked, **irc** connects as a client to the specified server, *server* or to the default one (see below).  The screen splits into a dialogue window (the major part of the screen) and a command line, from which messages can be sent and commands given to control irc.

## COMMAND SYNTAX

The syntax of irc commands is of the form **/COMMAND**.  The most notable ones are listed below.  For an uptodate list, use the **HELP** command of **irc**.  Case is ignored.

- **/ADMIN** \[*server*\]

  Prints administrative information about an IRC *server*.

- **/AWAY** \[*message*\]

  Mark yourself as being away (with an automatic reply *message* if specified)

- **/BYE**, **/EXIT**, **/QUIT**

  Terminate the session

- **/CHANNEL** \[*channel*\]

  Join another *channel*

- **/CLEAR**

  Clear the screen

- **/HELP** \[*command*\]

  Display a brief description of the *command* (or list all commands, if none specified).

- **/SUMMON** *user*

  Allows to summon a *user* specified as a full Internet address, i.e., *login@host.domain*, to an IRC dialogue session (in much the same way as the [talk(1)](/talk/1.md) command).  It is usable ONLY if the irc daemon runs on the target machine (host.domain).

- **/TOPIC** *topic*

  Sets the *topic* for the current channel

- **/WHO** \[*channel*\|\*\]

  Lists all users of IRC if no argument, of the specified *channel* or of the current channel (\*).

## ARGUMENTS

- **-p** *portnum*

  TCP/IP "port number.  Default is 6667 and this option should seldom if ever" be used.

- **-c** *channel*

  *Channel* number to join upon beginning of the session.  Default is no channel.

- *nickname*

  *Nickname* used in the session (can be changed with the **/NICK** command). Default is user login name.

- *server*

  *Server* to connect to.  Default is specified in the irc system configuration file, and can be superseded with the environment variable IRCSERVER.

## EXAMPLE

```
tolmoon% irc -p6667 Wizard tolsun
```

connects you to irc server in host tolsun (port 6667) with nickname Wizard

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright (c) 1988 University of Oulu, Computing Center, Finland.

```
Copyright (c) 1988,1989,1990 Jarkko Oikarinen
All rights reserved.
For full COPYRIGHT see LICENSE file with IRC package.
```

## SEE ALSO

[ircd(8)](/ircd/8.md)

## BUGS

What bugs ?

## AUTHOR

Jarkko Oikarinen \<jto@tolsun.oulu.fi\>

```
Manual page updated by Michel Fingerhut <Michel.Fingerhut@ircam.fr>
```