# __NETWORK_NAME__ — new to IRC? Start here

IRC is group chat. You pick a nickname, join channels (chat rooms whose names
start with `#`), and talk. Commands start with `/`.

---

## 1. Connect

| | |
|---|---|
| **Server** | `__DOMAIN__` |
| **Port** | `6697` |
| **TLS/SSL** | **on** (required) |
| **Network** | __NETWORK_NAME__ |

Any IRC client works. Good starting points: **HexChat** (Windows/Linux),
**Textual** or **Halloy** (macOS), **Revolution IRC** (Android), **Goguma** (iOS).

> If your client asks for a "network" and a "server", the network is just a
> label — the server address above is what matters.

---

## 2. Claim your nickname

On this network your nickname *is* your account, so register it or someone else
could use it later.

```
/msg NickServ REGISTER your-password
```

Then tell your client to log in automatically: enable **SASL**, method
**PLAIN**, with your nickname as the username and that password. Most clients
have this in the same dialog as the server address.

Not using SASL yet? Log in by hand each time:

```
/msg NickServ IDENTIFY your-password
```

Someone else on your nick? `/msg NickServ GHOST yournick` disconnects them.

---

## 3. Talk

| Do this | Command |
|---|---|
| Join a channel | `/join #channel` |
| Leave | `/part #channel` |
| Private message | `/msg someone hello` |
| See who's here | `/names` |
| Look someone up | `/whois someone` |
| Set yourself away | `/away back in 10` (`/away` to return) |
| Change nick | `/nick newnick` |
| List channels | `/list` |
| Quit | `/quit see you` |

Type normally to speak in the channel you're looking at. `/me waves` writes an
action line.

---

## 4. Scrollback

Messages are stored for **__HISTORY_DAYS__**, so you see what you missed while
away — no need to stay connected. Most modern clients fetch it automatically;
otherwise `/history #channel 50` pulls the last 50 lines.

To have a channel's recent messages replayed every time you join:

```
/msg NickServ SET autoreplay-lines 25
```

---

## 5. Privacy, plainly

- Your IP address is **hidden** from other users (you'll see a scrambled
  hostname). Server staff can still see it.
- Channels are **logged for __HISTORY_DAYS__**. Treat anything you type as
  recorded — including private messages, which are stored for logged-in users.
- Turn off storage of your own DMs with `/msg NickServ SET dm-history off`.
- Connections are encrypted (TLS). Your client shows `+Z` when secure.

---

## 6. Making your own channel

Just join one that doesn't exist yet — you become its founder:

```
/join #mychannel
/msg ChanServ REGISTER #mychannel
```

Registering keeps it yours. A few useful settings once you own it:

| Want | Command |
|---|---|
| Invite-only | `/mode #mychannel +i` then `/mode #mychannel +I nickname` |
| Registered users only | `/mode #mychannel +R` |
| Set the topic | `/topic #mychannel Welcome!` |
| Give someone ops | `/msg ChanServ OP #mychannel nickname` |
| Make that permanent | `/msg ChanServ AMODE #mychannel +o nickname` |

---

## 7. Stuck?

- `/msg NickServ HELP` and `/msg ChanServ HELP` list everything.
- `/motd` shows the network's rules.
- `/admin` shows who runs the server.

Be kind, and enjoy yourself.