irssi Cheatsheet

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irssi is a terminal-based IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client. Lightweight, fast, and highly configurable for chatting on IRC networks.

Connecting to Networks

• /connect <server> - Connect to IRC server

• /connect <server> <port> - Connect with specific port

• /connect <server> <port> <password> - Connect with password

• /disconnect - Disconnect from current server

• /quit - Quit irssi

• /save - Save configuration

Channel Operations

• /join <#channel> - Join channel

• /join <#channel> <key> - Join password-protected channel

• /part <#channel> - Leave channel

• /part <#channel> <message> - Leave with message

• /names <#channel> - List users in channel

• /topic <#channel> <topic> - Set channel topic

• /msg <#channel> <message> - Send message to channel

Private Messages

• /query <nick> - Start private message

• /msg <nick> <message> - Send private message

• /close - Close current window

• /wclose - Close window

Window Navigation

• Alt+0-9 - Switch to window number

• Alt+Arrow or Ctrl+N/P - Switch windows

• /window next - Next window

• /window prev - Previous window

• /window goto <number> - Go to window number

• /window close - Close current window

• /window new - Create new window

• /window new split - Split window

• /window show irc - Show IRC windows only

Input Editing

• Ctrl+A - Beginning of line

• Ctrl+E - End of line

• Ctrl+B/F - Move backward/forward one character

• Ctrl+D - Delete character

• Ctrl+H - Backspace

• Ctrl+K - Delete to end of line

• Ctrl+U - Delete to beginning of line

• Ctrl+W - Delete word

• Ctrl+L - Clear screen

Nickname and Identity

• /nick <newnick> - Change nickname

• /set real_name <name> - Set real name

• /set user_name <name> - Set username

• /whois <nick> - Get user information

• /whoami - Show your own information

Server Commands

• /server add -m <network> <server> <port> - Add server

• /server <network> - Connect to network

• /server list - List configured servers

• /server remove <network> - Remove server

Channel Modes

• /mode <#channel> +o <nick> - Give operator status

• /mode <#channel> -o <nick> - Remove operator status

• /mode <#channel> +v <nick> - Give voice

• /mode <#channel> -v <nick> - Remove voice

• /mode <#channel> +i - Invite-only channel

• /mode <#channel> +m - Moderated channel

• /mode <#channel> +n - No external messages

• /mode <#channel> +s - Secret channel

• /mode <#channel> +t - Topic protection

Channel Information

• /list - List all channels

• /list <pattern> - List channels matching pattern

• /who <#channel> - List users in channel

• /ban <#channel> <nick> - Ban user from channel

• /kick <#channel> <nick> - Kick user from channel

• /kick <#channel> <nick> <reason> - Kick with reason

Settings and Configuration

• /set <option> <value> - Set option

• /set -<option> - Unset option

• /toggle <option> - Toggle option

• /bind -m <mode> <key> <command> - Bind key to command

• /unbind -m <mode> <key> - Unbind key

Common Settings

• /set nick <nickname> - Set default nickname

• /set real_name <name> - Set real name

• /set user_name <username> - Set username

• /set autojoin_channels <#channel1,#channel2> - Auto-join channels

• /set autolog <on|off> - Enable/disable logging

• /set autolog_path <path> - Set log file path

• /set scrollback_lines <number> - Set scrollback buffer size

Scripts and Plugins

• /script load <script.pl> - Load script

• /script unload <script.pl> - Unload script

• /script list - List loaded scripts

• /script exec <code> - Execute Perl code

• /run <script.pl> - Run script

Aliases and Shortcuts

• /alias <name> <command> - Create alias

• /unalias <name> - Remove alias

• /alias list - List all aliases

Example aliases:

• /alias j /join

• /alias m /msg

• /alias q /query

Logging

• /set autolog on - Enable automatic logging

• /set autolog_path ~/irclogs/$tag/$0.log - Log file path template

• /save - Save configuration (includes autolog settings)

Configuration

Config File Location

• `~/.irssi/config` - Main configuration file

• `~/.irssi/startup` - Startup commands

• `~/.irssi/scripts/` - Script directory

Example Configuration

# Auto-join channels
servers = (
  {
    address = "irc.libera.chat";
    chatnet = "Libera";
    port = "6697";
    use_ssl = "yes";
    autoconnect = "yes";
  }
);

chatnets = {
  Libera = {
    type = "IRC";
    autosendcmd = "/^msg nickserv identify <password>; wait 2000";
  };
};

channels = (
  { name = "#channel"; chatnet = "Libera"; autojoin = "yes"; }
);

settings = {
  "core" = {
    real_name = "Your Name";
    user_name = "username";
    nick = "YourNick";
    alternate_nick = "YourNick_";
  };
};

Tips

• Use /help <command> for command help

• Use /alias to create shortcuts for frequent commands

• Use /bind to customize key bindings

• Enable autolog to keep chat history

• Use window navigation (Alt+number) for efficient multitasking

• Use /whois to check user information

• Use /ignore to ignore annoying users

• Scripts can extend functionality significantly

• Use Ctrl+X Ctrl+X to switch between windows

• Configure auto-join channels in config file

• Use SSL/TLS for secure connections (port 6697)

• Use /save after making changes

• Create separate windows for different channels

• Use /window close to clean up unused windows

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