IRC Services

RavenChat IRC Services

RavenChat uses Anope to provide nickname registration, channel management, and other useful IRC services.

Services are automated network clients that respond to commands sent through your IRC client.

All commands on this page begin with /msg, which sends a private message to the specified service.

For a complete list of available commands, type:

    /msg NickServ HELP

/msg NickServ HELP

Replace NickServ with the name of the service you want help with.

Note: Your IRC client may support using /raw or /quote instead of /msg for these commands. If it does, consider using these instead as this can be slightly more secure.

1. NickServ

NickServ manages registered accounts and nicknames. Registering an account allows you to establish ownership of nicknames and authenticate yourself when connecting.

Register an account

First, change to the nickname you want to register:

    /msg NickServ HELP
    /nick YourNickname

Then register it:

    /msg NickServ REGISTER YourPassword your@email.com

Use a strong, unique password.

You may be required to confirm your registration. If so, please join us in #help to ask us to verify the registration on your behalf. Unverified nicknames auto expire after 24 hours.

Identify yourself

If your IRC client does not automatically authenticate when connecting, identify yourself manually:

    /msg NickServ IDENTIFY YourPassword

You can also specify your account name:

   /msg NickServ IDENTIFY YourAccount YourPassword

Many IRC clients support SASL authentication, allowing you to log in automatically when connecting.

Register additional nicknames

Anope supports grouping multiple nicknames under one account.

Change to the nickname you want to add:

    /nick AnotherNickname

Then group it with your existing account:

    /msg NickServ GROUP YourAccount YourPassword

The new nickname will belong to the same account.

RavenChat registration limits:

• Maximum of 2 accounts per user.
• Maximum of 10 nicknames per account.
• Registrations expire after 999 days of inactivity.
• Nicknames unused for 60 days may be manually released by an IRC operator if requested by another user.

View account information

    /msg NickServ INFO YourNickname

Recover a nickname

If another connection is using your registered nickname, you may be able to recover it:

    /msg NickServ RECOVER YourNickname

You must be authenticated or provide the appropriate password.

Change your password

    /msg NickServ SET PASSWORD NewPassword

Get additional help

    /msg NickServ HELP

For help with a specific command:

    /msg NickServ HELP GROUP

2. ChanServ

ChanServ manages registered IRC channels.

Registering a channel allows its founder to maintain control over channel settings and assign privileges to other users.

Register a channel

You must have a registered account and be a channel operator.

First, join the channel:

    /join #YourChannel

Then register it:

    /msg ChanServ REGISTER #YourChannel Description of your channel

The channel must not already be registered and you must have operator status in the channel when you register it.

View channel information

    /msg ChanServ INFO #YourChannel

Manage channel access

ChanServ supports several methods of managing channel privileges, depending on network configuration.

For networks using the XOP access system, common access levels include:

• QOP: Channel owner privileges.
• SOP: Senior channel operator privileges.
• AOP: Channel operator privileges.
• HOP: Half-operator privileges.
• VOP: Voice privileges.

For example, to grant someone AOP access:

    /msg ChanServ AOP #YourChannel ADD Nickname

To remove their access:

    /msg ChanServ AOP #YourChannel DEL Nickname

To view the AOP list:

    /msg ChanServ AOP #YourChannel LIST

If these commands are unavailable, consult ChanServ’s help for the access system enabled on RavenChat.

Change the channel description

    /msg ChanServ SET #YourChannel DESCRIPTION New description

View available channel settings

    /msg ChanServ HELP SET

Channel registration expiration

Channel registrations are valid for 999 days of inactivity.

However, a channel unused for 60 consecutive days may be manually released by an IRC operator if another user requests it.

Releasing an inactive registration is discretionary and is not automatic at 60 days.

For complete channel registration rules, consult the Acceptable Use Policy.

3. MemoServ

MemoServ allows registered users to leave messages for other registered users, even when the recipient is offline.

Memos are stored by IRC services until retrieved or deleted.

Send a memo

    /msg MemoServ SEND Nickname Your message goes here

List your memos

    /msg MemoServ LIST

Read a memo

    /msg MemoServ READ 1

Replace 1 with the memo number.

To read all new memos:

    /msg MemoServ READ NEW

Delete a memo

    /msg MemoServ DEL 1

To delete all memos:

    /msg MemoServ DEL ALL

Additional help

    /msg MemoServ HELP

4. BotServ

BotServ allows channel founders to assign service bots to their registered channels, where enabled.

These bots may provide channel management functions such as moderation, greeting messages, and protection against flooding.

To see whether BotServ is available and which commands it supports:

    /msg BotServ HELP

To list available service bots:

    /msg BotServ BOTLIST

BotServ functionality depends on the network’s configuration.

5. HostServ

HostServ manages virtual hosts, also known as vHosts.

A vHost replaces the hostname normally displayed to other IRC users with a custom hostname.

For example:

    YourNickname@user.example.org

Virtual hosts are cosmetic and do not provide encryption or anonymity by themselves.

To see available HostServ commands:

    /msg HostServ HELP

Custom vHosts may require approval by network staff.

6. HelpServ

HelpServ provides information about available services commands, where enabled.

    /msg HelpServ HELP

You can also request help directly from individual services:

    /msg NickServ HELP
    /msg ChanServ HELP
    /msg MemoServ HELP

7. Account and Channel Security

We recommend the following precautions:

• Use a strong, unique account password.
• Connect using TLS whenever possible.
• Enable SASL authentication if your IRC client supports it.
• Never disclose your account password to another user.
• Do not enter your password into a channel.
• Be cautious of users impersonating network services or IRC operators.

RavenChat staff will never need to ask you for your account password.

Services commands should be sent only to the appropriate network service.

8. Need Assistance?

If you need help registering an account, managing a channel, or using network services, consult the built-in help commands first.

You can also visit the network’s support channel:

    /join #help

Please remember that IRC operators cannot necessarily recover lost passwords or restore expired registrations.

For information about network rules, see the RavenChat Acceptable Use Policy.