Connection guide | LibraIRC

Connect to LibraIRC

The quickest way in is a web client — open KiwiIRC or any client from the client list, pick a nickname and you are chatting. To use an IRC app instead, add a new server with these settings:

Server	`irc.librairc.net`
Port	`6697` with TLS/SSL turned on (recommended)
Plain port	`6667` — not encrypted, only if your app has no TLS
Login	SASL PLAIN (account + password) or SASL EXTERNAL (certificate)

Most apps also accept a link: ircs://irc.librairc.net:6697/#lounge. From a text client you can type:

/server -ssl irc.librairc.net 6697

Apps for every device

Windows — AdiIRC, mIRC, HexChat, KVIrc, Halloy
macOS — Textual, Halloy, KVIrc
Linux — HexChat, Halloy, Konversation, WeeChat, irssi
Android — HexDroid, Revolution IRC
iPhone / iPad — Palaver, Goguma
Always online — Quassel, The Lounge or IRCCloud keep you connected while you are away

Register your nickname

Anyone can chat without an account. Registering keeps your nickname yours, lets you own channels and receive memos. Connect with the nickname you want, then:

/msg NickServ REGISTER yourpassword your@email.example

Use a password you do not use anywhere else. The e-mail address is used to confirm the account and to reset a forgotten password; follow the link or code in the e-mail if one is sent. Next time you connect, log in with:

/msg NickServ IDENTIFY yourpassword

Want more than one nickname on the same account (for example Alice and Alice_away)? Connect with the extra nickname and run /msg NickServ GROUP Alice yourpassword.

Log in automatically (SASL)

SASL logs you in before you join any channel, so you never appear under the wrong name. In your app's server settings choose SASL PLAIN and enter your account name and NickServ password. In WeeChat, for example:

/set irc.server.librairc.sasl_mechanism plain
/set irc.server.librairc.sasl_username youraccount
/set irc.server.librairc.sasl_password yourpassword

Certificate login (SASL EXTERNAL / CertFP) is even safer because no password is sent. Create a client certificate in your app, connect with it, identify once, then add its fingerprint to your account:

/msg NickServ CERT ADD

After that, choose SASL EXTERNAL in your app and remove the saved password.

Someone is using my nickname

If your registered nickname is in use (for example by an old connection that did not close), take it back with:

/msg NickServ RECOVER yournick yourpassword

Create your own channel

Join an empty channel — you become its operator — then register it so it stays yours:

/join #mychannel

/msg ChanServ REGISTER #mychannel A short description

Give friends operator access with /msg ChanServ ACCESS #mychannel ADD nick 5, and see every option with /msg ChanServ HELP.

Your hidden host

Other users never see your real IP address or hostname: the network replaces it with a hidden host (a "cloak"). Web clients forward your real address only to the IRC server itself, so bans hit the right person and not everyone on the same web client. Read the privacy page for details.

Getting help

Join #help and ask — staff and regulars are happy to help. Every service also has built-in help: /msg NickServ HELP, /msg ChanServ HELP, /msg MemoServ HELP. For longer questions, open a ticket at the helpdesk.