Connection Commands

PASS

Set a connection password before registering.

Syntax: PASS <password>

When: Must be sent before NICK and USER if the server requires a password.

Behavior:

• The password is checked during the handshake when registration completes
• If the server has no password configured (password: nil), any PASS value is accepted
• If the password does not match, the connection is closed with ERROR :Bad Password

Example:

PASS serverpassword

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NICK

Set or change your nickname.

Syntax: NICK <nickname>

Constraints:

• Maximum length: 30 characters (configurable via max_nick_length)
• Must not be in use by another connected user
• Cannot be a reserved nickname (in reservation period after RECOVER/REGAIN)
• Comparison is case-insensitive using the server’s case mapping

Behavior:

• During pre-registration: sets the nick for the upcoming handshake
• After registration: changes your current nick; broadcasts the change to all shared channels and users

Example:

NICK Alice
NICK Alice_Away

Errors:

• 433 ERR_NICKNAMEINUSE — nick is already taken
• 432 ERR_ERRONEUSNICKNAME — invalid nick format
• 484 ERR_NICKNAMEINUSE — nick is reserved (custom error)

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USER

Provide your username, hostname hints, and real name during registration.

Syntax: USER <username> <hostname> <servername> :<realname>

Fields:

Field	Usage	Limit
username	ident/username	10 chars (max_ident_length)
hostname	ignored (server resolves it)	—
servername	ignored	—
realname	real name (GECOS)	50 chars (max_realname_length)

Note

The hostname and servername fields in USER are accepted but ignored — the server always resolves the real hostname via DNS. The ident may be overridden by the ident service if ident_service.enabled = true.

Example:

USER alice 0 * :Alice Wonderland

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PING

Test whether the connection is still alive. Clients typically send this to the server.

Syntax: PING <token>

Behavior:

• The server responds immediately with PONG :<token>
• Also resets the user’s inactivity timer

Example:

PING LAG1234567890

Server response:

:server.hostname PONG server.hostname :LAG1234567890

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PONG

Reply to a server-initiated PING. The server sends PING to clients to check liveness.

Syntax: PONG <token>

Behavior:

• Resets the user’s inactivity timer
• No visible response from the server

Tip

Most IRC clients handle PING/PONG automatically. You rarely need to send PONG manually.

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QUIT

Disconnect from the server gracefully.

Syntax: QUIT [:<message>]

Behavior:

• Broadcasts a QUIT message to all channels the user is in
• The user’s information is saved to WHOWAS history
• The connection is closed

Example:

QUIT :Going to sleep
QUIT :Goodbye!

The quit message appears to other users as:

* Alice has quit (Going to sleep)