Only a channel operator may kick another user out of a channel.
Each server that receives a KICK message checks that it is valid
(ie the sender is actually a channel operator) before removing
the victim from the channel.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL
ERR_BADCHANMASK ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED
ERR_NOTONCHANNEL
Examples:
KICK &Melbourne Matthew ; Kick Matthew from &Melbourne
KICK #Finnish John :Speaking English
; Kick John from #Finnish using
"Speaking English" as the reason
(comment).
:WiZ KICK #Finnish John ; KICK message from WiZ to remove John
from channel #Finnish
NOTE:
It is possible to extend the KICK command parameters to the
following:
<channel>{,<channel>} <user>{,<user>} [<comment>]
4.3 Server queries and commands
The server query group of commands has been designed to return
information about any server which is connected to the network. All
servers connected must respond to these queries and respond
correctly. Any invalid response (or lack thereof) must be considered
a sign of a broken server and it must be disconnected/disabled as
soon as possible until the situation is remedied.
In these queries, where a parameter appears as "<server>", it will
usually mean it can be a nickname or a server or a wildcard name of
some sort. For each parameter, however, only one query and set of
replies is to be generated.
4.3.1 Version message
Command: VERSION
Parameters: [<server>]
The VERSION message is used to query the version of the server
program. An optional parameter <server> is used to query the version
of the server program which a client is not directly connected to.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER RPL_VERSION
Examples:
:Wiz VERSION *.se ; message from Wiz to check the version
of a server matching "*.se"
VERSION tolsun.oulu.fi ; check the version of server
"tolsun.oulu.fi".
4.3.2 Stats message
Command: STATS
Parameters: [<query> [<server>]]
The stats message is used to query statistics of certain server. If
<server> parameter is omitted, only the end of stats reply is sent
back. The implementation of this command is highly dependent on the
server which replies, although the server must be able to supply
information as described by the queries below (or similar).
A query may be given by any single letter which is only checked by
the destination server (if given as the <server> parameter) and is
otherwise passed on by intermediate servers, ignored and unaltered.
The following queries are those found in the current IRC
implementation and provide a large portion of the setup information
for that server. Although these may not be supported in the same way
by other versions, all servers should be able to supply a valid reply
to a STATS query which is consistent with the reply formats currently
used and the purpose of the query.
The currently supported queries are:
c - returns a list of servers which the server may connect
to or allow connections from;
h - returns a list of servers which are either forced to be
treated as leaves or allowed to act as hubs;
i - returns a list of hosts which the server allows a client
to connect from;
k - returns a list of banned username/hostname combinations
for that server;
l - returns a list of the server's connections, showing how
long each connection has been established and the traffic
over that connection in bytes and messages for each
direction;
m - returns a list of commands supported by the server and
the usage count for each if the usage count is non zero;
o - returns a list of hosts from which normal clients may
become operators;
y - show Y (Class) lines from server's configuration file;
u - returns a string showing how long the server has been up.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_STATSCLINE RPL_STATSNLINE
RPL_STATSILINE RPL_STATSKLINE
RPL_STATSQLINE RPL_STATSLLINE
RPL_STATSLINKINFO RPL_STATSUPTIME
RPL_STATSCOMMANDS RPL_STATSOLINE
RPL_STATSHLINE RPL_ENDOFSTATS
Examples:
STATS m ; check the command usage for the server
you are connected to
:Wiz STATS c eff.org ; request by WiZ for C/N line
information from server eff.org
4.3.3 Links message
Command: LINKS
Parameters: [[<remote server>] <server mask>]
With LINKS, a user can list all servers which are known by the server
answering the query. The returned list of servers must match the
mask, or if no mask is given, the full list is returned.
If <remote server> is given in addition to <server mask>, the LINKS
command is forwarded to the first server found that matches that name
(if any), and that server is then required to answer the query.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_LINKS RPL_ENDOFLINKS
Examples:
LINKS *.au ; list all servers which have a name
that matches *.au;
:WiZ LINKS *.bu.edu *.edu ; LINKS message from WiZ to the first
server matching *.edu for a list of
servers matching *.bu.edu.
4.3.4 Time message
Command: TIME
Parameters: [<server>]
The time message is used to query local time from the specified
server. If the server parameter is not given, the server handling the
command must reply to the query.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER RPL_TIME
Examples:
TIME tolsun.oulu.fi ; check the time on the server
"tolson.oulu.fi"
Angel TIME *.au ; user angel checking the time on a
server matching "*.au"
4.3.5 Connect message
Command: CONNECT
Parameters: <target server> [<port> [<remote server>]]
The CONNECT command can be used to force a server to try to establish
a new connection to another server immediately. CONNECT is a
privileged command and is to be available only to IRC Operators. If
a remote server is given then the CONNECT attempt is made by that
server to <target server> and <port>.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER ERR_NOPRIVILEGES
ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
Examples:
CONNECT tolsun.oulu.fi ; Attempt to connect a server to
tolsun.oulu.fi
:WiZ CONNECT eff.org 6667 csd.bu.edu
; CONNECT attempt by WiZ to get servers
eff.org and csd.bu.edu connected on port
6667.
4.3.6 Trace message
Command: TRACE
Parameters: [<server>]
TRACE command is used to find the route to specific server. Each
server that processes this message must tell the sender about it by
sending a reply indicating it is a pass-through link, forming a chain
of replies similar to that gained from using "traceroute". After
sending this reply back, it must then send the TRACE message to the
next server until given server is reached. If the <server> parameter
is omitted, it is recommended that TRACE command send a message to
the sender telling which servers the current server has direct
connection to.
If the destination given by "<server>" is an actual server, then the
destination server is required to report all servers and users which
are connected to it, although only operators are permitted to see
users present. If the destination given by <server> is a nickname,
they only a reply for that nickname is given.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
If the TRACE message is destined for another server, all intermediate
servers must return a RPL_TRACELINK reply to indicate that the TRACE
passed through it and where its going next.
RPL_TRACELINK
A TRACE reply may be composed of any number of the following numeric
replies.
RPL_TRACECONNECTING RPL_TRACEHANDSHAKE
RPL_TRACEUNKNOWN RPL_TRACEOPERATOR
RPL_TRACEUSER RPL_TRACESERVER
RPL_TRACESERVICE RPL_TRACENEWTYPE
RPL_TRACECLASS
Examples:
TRACE *.oulu.fi ; TRACE to a server matching *.oulu.fi
:WiZ TRACE AngelDust ; TRACE issued by WiZ to nick AngelDust
4.3.7 Admin command
Command: ADMIN
Parameters: [<server>]
The admin message is used to find the name of the administrator of
the given server, or current server if <server> parameter is omitted.
Each server must have the ability to forward ADMIN messages to other
servers.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_ADMINME RPL_ADMINLOC1
RPL_ADMINLOC2 RPL_ADMINEMAIL
Examples:
ADMIN tolsun.oulu.fi ; request an ADMIN reply from
tolsun.oulu.fi
:WiZ ADMIN *.edu ; ADMIN request from WiZ for first
server found to match *.edu.
4.3.8 Info command
Command: INFO
Parameters: [<server>]
The INFO command is required to return information which describes
the server: its version, when it was compiled, the patchlevel, when
it was started, and any other miscellaneous information which may be
considered to be relevant.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_INFO RPL_ENDOFINFO
Examples:
INFO csd.bu.edu ; request an INFO reply from
csd.bu.edu
:Avalon INFO *.fi ; INFO request from Avalon for first
server found to match *.fi.
INFO Angel ; request info from the server that
Angel is connected to.
4.4 Sending messages
The main purpose of the IRC protocol is to provide a base for clients
to communicate with each other. PRIVMSG and NOTICE are the only
messages available which actually perform delivery of a text message
from one client to another - the rest just make it possible and try
to ensure it happens in a reliable and structured manner.
4.4.1 Private messages
Command: PRIVMSG
Parameters: <receiver>{,<receiver>} <text to be sent>
PRIVMSG is used to send private messages between users. <receiver>
is the nickname of the receiver of the message. <receiver> can also
be a list of names or channels separated with commas.
The <receiver> parameter may also me a host mask (#mask) or server
mask ($mask). In both cases the server will only send the PRIVMSG
to those who have a server or host matching the mask. The mask must
have at least 1 (one) "." in it and no wildcards following the
last ".". This requirement exists to prevent people sending messages
to "#*" or "$*", which would broadcast to all users; from
experience, this is abused more than used responsibly and properly.
Wildcards are the '*' and '?' characters. This extension to
the PRIVMSG command is only available to Operators.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NORECIPIENT ERR_NOTEXTTOSEND
ERR_CANNOTSENDTOCHAN ERR_NOTOPLEVEL
ERR_WILDTOPLEVEL ERR_TOOMANYTARGETS
ERR_NOSUCHNICK
RPL_AWAY
Examples:
:Angel PRIVMSG Wiz :Hello are you receiving this message ?
; Message from Angel to Wiz.
PRIVMSG Angel :yes I'm receiving it !receiving it !'u>(768u+1n) .br ;
Message to Angel.
PRIVMSG jto@tolsun.oulu.fi :Hello !
; Message to a client on server
tolsun.oulu.fi with username of "jto".
PRIVMSG $*.fi :Server tolsun.oulu.fi rebooting.
; Message to everyone on a server which
has a name matching *.fi.
PRIVMSG #*.edu :NSFNet is undergoing work, expect interruptions
; Message to all users who come from a
host which has a name matching *.edu.
4.4.2 Notice
Command: NOTICE
Parameters: <nickname> <text>
The NOTICE message is used similarly to PRIVMSG. The difference
between NOTICE and PRIVMSG is that automatic replies must never be
sent in response to a NOTICE message. This rule applies to servers
too - they must not send any error reply back to the client on
receipt of a notice. The object of this rule is to avoid loops
between a client automatically sending something in response to
something it received. This is typically used by automatons (clients
with either an AI or other interactive program controlling their
actions) which are always seen to be replying lest they end up in a
loop with another automaton.
See PRIVMSG for more details on replies and examples.
4.5 User based queries
User queries are a group of commands which are primarily concerned
with finding details on a particular user or group users. When using
wildcards with any of these commands, if they match, they will only
return information on users who are 'visible' to you. The visibility
of a user is determined as a combination of the user's mode and the
common set of channels you are both on.
4.5.1 Who query
Command: WHO
Parameters: [<name> [<o>]]
The WHO message is used by a client to generate a query which returns
a list of information which 'matches' the <name> parameter given by
the client. In the absence of the <name> parameter, all visible
(users who aren't invisible (user mode +i) and who don't have a
common channel with the requesting client) are listed. The same
result can be achieved by using a <name> of "0" or any wildcard which
will end up matching every entry possible.
The <name> passed to WHO is matched against users' host, server, real
name and nickname if the channel <name> cannot be found.
If the "o" parameter is passed only operators are returned according
to the name mask supplied.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_WHOREPLY RPL_ENDOFWHO
Examples:
WHO *.fi ; List all users who match against
"*.fi".
WHO jto* o ; List all users with a match against
"jto*" if they are an operator.
4.5.2 Whois query
Command: WHOIS
Parameters: [<server>] <nickmask>[,<nickmask>[,...]]
This message is used to query information about particular user. The
server will answer this message with several numeric messages
indicating different statuses of each user which matches the nickmask
(if you are entitled to see them). If no wildcard is present in the
<nickmask>, any information about that nick which you are allowed to
see is presented. A comma (',') separated list of nicknames may be
given.
The latter version sends the query to a specific server. It is
useful if you want to know how long the user in question has been
idle as only local server (ie. the server the user is directly
connected to) knows that information, while everything else is
globally known.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER ERR_NONICKNAMEGIVEN
RPL_WHOISUSER RPL_WHOISCHANNELS
RPL_WHOISCHANNELS RPL_WHOISSERVER
RPL_AWAY RPL_WHOISOPERATOR
RPL_WHOISIDLE ERR_NOSUCHNICK
RPL_ENDOFWHOIS
Examples:
WHOIS wiz ; return available user information
about nick WiZ
WHOIS eff.org trillian ; ask server eff.org for user
information about trillian
4.5.3 Whowas
Command: WHOWAS
Parameters: <nickname> [<count> [<server>]]
Whowas asks for information about a nickname which no longer exists.
This may either be due to a nickname change or the user leaving IRC.
In response to this query, the server searches through its nickname
history, looking for any nicks which are lexically the same (no wild
card matching here). The history is searched backward, returning the
most recent entry first. If there are multiple entries, up to
<count> replies will be returned (or all of them if no <count>
parameter is given). If a non-positive number is passed as being
<count>, then a full search is done.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NONICKNAMEGIVEN ERR_WASNOSUCHNICK
RPL_WHOWASUSER RPL_WHOISSERVER
RPL_ENDOFWHOWAS
Examples:
WHOWAS Wiz ; return all information in the nick
history about nick "WiZ";
WHOWAS Mermaid 9 ; return at most, the 9 most recent
entries in the nick history for
"Mermaid";
WHOWAS Trillian 1 *.edu ; return the most recent history for
"Trillian" from the first server found
to match "*.edu".
4.6 Miscellaneous messages
Messages in this category do not fit into any of the above categories
but are nonetheless still a part of and required by the protocol.
4.6.1 Kill message
Command: KILL
Parameters: <nickname> <comment>
The KILL message is used to cause a client-server connection to be
closed by the server which has the actual connection. KILL is used
by servers when they encounter a duplicate entry in the list of valid
nicknames and is used to remove both entries. It is also available
to operators.
Clients which have automatic reconnect algorithms effectively make
this command useless since the disconnection is only brief. It does
however break the flow of data and can be used to stop large amounts
of being abused, any user may elect to receive KILL messages
generated for others to keep an 'eye' on would be trouble spots.
In an arena where nicknames are required to be globally unique at all
times, KILL messages are sent whenever 'duplicates' are detected
(that is an attempt to register two users with the same nickname) in
the hope that both of them will disappear and only 1 reappear.
The comment given must reflect the actual reason for the KILL. For
server-generated KILLs it usually is made up of details concerning
the origins of the two conflicting nicknames. For users it is left
up to them to provide an adequate reason to satisfy others who see
it. To prevent/discourage fake KILLs from being generated to hide
the identify of the KILLer, the comment also shows a 'kill-path'
which is updated by each server it passes through, each prepending
its name to the path.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOPRIVILEGES ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
ERR_NOSUCHNICK ERR_CANTKILLSERVER
KILL David (csd.bu.edu <- tolsun.oulu.fi)
; Nickname collision between csd.bu.edu
and tolson.oulu.fi
NOTE:
It is recommended that only Operators be allowed to kill other users
with KILL message. In an ideal world not even operators would need
to do this and it would be left to servers to deal with.
4.6.2 Ping message
Command: PING
Parameters: <server1> [<server2>]
The PING message is used to test the presence of an active client at
the other end of the connection. A PING message is sent at regular
intervals if no other activity detected coming from a connection. If
a connection fails to respond to a PING command within a set amount
of time, that connection is closed.
Any client which receives a PING message must respond to <server1>
(server which sent the PING message out) as quickly as possible with
an appropriate PONG message to indicate it is still there and alive.
Servers should not respond to PING commands but rely on PINGs from
the other end of the connection to indicate the connection is alive.
If the <server2> parameter is specified, the PING message gets
forwarded there.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOORIGIN ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
Examples:
PING tolsun.oulu.fi ; server sending a PING message to
another server to indicate it is still
alive.
PING WiZ ; PING message being sent to nick WiZ
4.6.3 Pong message
Command: PONG
Parameters: <daemon> [<daemon2>]
PONG message is a reply to ping message. If parameter <daemon2> is
given this message must be forwarded to given daemon. The <daemon>
parameter is the name of the daemon who has responded to PING message
and generated this message.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOORIGIN ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
Examples:
PONG csd.bu.edu tolsun.oulu.fi ; PONG message from csd.bu.edu to
tolsun.oulu.fi
4.6.4 Error
Command: ERROR
Parameters: <error message>
The ERROR command is for use by servers when reporting a serious or
fatal error to its operators. It may also be sent from one server to
another but must not be accepted from any normal unknown clients.
An ERROR message is for use for reporting errors which occur with a
server-to-server link only. An ERROR message is sent to the server
at the other end (which sends it to all of its connected operators)
and to all operators currently connected. It is not to be passed
onto any other servers by a server if it is received from a server.
When a server sends a received ERROR message to its operators, the
message should be encapsulated inside a NOTICE message, indicating
that the client was not responsible for the error.
Numerics:
None.
Examples:
ERROR :Server *.fi already exists; ERROR message to the other server
which caused this error.
NOTICE WiZ :ERROR from csd.bu.edu -- Server *.fi already exists
; Same ERROR message as above but sent
to user WiZ on the other server.
5. OPTIONALS
This section describes OPTIONAL messages. They are not required in a
working server implementation of the protocol described herein. In
the absence of the option, an error reply message must be generated
or an unknown command error. If the message is destined for another
server to answer then it must be passed on (elementary parsing
required) The allocated numerics for this are listed with the
messages below.
5.1 Away
Command: AWAY
Parameters: [message]
With the AWAY message, clients can set an automatic reply string for
any PRIVMSG commands directed at them (not to a channel they are on).
The automatic reply is sent by the server to client sending the
PRIVMSG command. The only replying server is the one to which the
sending client is connected to.
The AWAY message is used either with one parameter (to set an AWAY
message) or with no parameters (to remove the AWAY message).
Numeric Replies:
RPL_UNAWAY RPL_NOWAWAY
Examples:
AWAY :Gone to lunch. Back in 5 ; set away message to "Gone to lunch.
Back in 5".
:WiZ AWAY ; unmark WiZ as being away.
5.2 Rehash message
Command: REHASH
Parameters: None
The rehash message can be used by the operator to force the server to
re-read and process its configuration file.
Numeric Replies:
RPL_REHASHING ERR_NOPRIVILEGES
Examples:
REHASH ; message from client with operator
status to server asking it to reread its
configuration file.
5.3 Restart message
Command: RESTART
Parameters: None
The restart message can only be used by an operator to force a server
restart itself. This message is optional since it may be viewed as a
risk to allow arbitrary people to connect to a server as an operator
and execute this command, causing (at least) a disruption to service.
The RESTART command must always be fully processed by the server to
which the sending client is connected and not be passed onto other
connected servers.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOPRIVILEGES
Examples:
RESTART ; no parameters required.
5.4 Summon message
Command: SUMMON
Parameters: <user> [<server>]
The SUMMON command can be used to give users who are on a host
running an IRC server a message asking them to please join IRC. This
message is only sent if the target server (a) has SUMMON enabled, (b)
the user is logged in and (c) the server process can write to the
user's tty (or similar).
If no <server> parameter is given it tries to summon <user> from the
server the client is connected to is assumed as the target.
If summon is not enabled in a server, it must return the
ERR_SUMMONDISABLED numeric and pass the summon message onwards.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NORECIPIENT ERR_FILEERROR
ERR_NOLOGIN ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
RPL_SUMMONING
Examples:
SUMMON jto ; summon user jto on the server's host
SUMMON jto tolsun.oulu.fi ; summon user jto on the host which a
server named "tolsun.oulu.fi" is
running.
5.5 Users
Command: USERS
Parameters: [<server>]
The USERS command returns a list of users logged into the server in a
similar format to who(1), rusers(1) and finger(1). Some people
may disable this command on their server for security related
reasons. If disabled, the correct numeric must be returned to
indicate this.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NOSUCHSERVER ERR_FILEERROR
RPL_USERSSTART RPL_USERS
RPL_NOUSERS RPL_ENDOFUSERS
ERR_USERSDISABLED
Disabled Reply:
ERR_USERSDISABLED
Examples:
USERS eff.org ; request a list of users logged in on
server eff.org
:John USERS tolsun.oulu.fi ; request from John for a list of users
logged in on server tolsun.oulu.fi
5.6 Operwall message
Command: WALLOPS
Parameters: Text to be sent to all operators currently online
Sends a message to all operators currently online. After
implementing WALLOPS as a user command it was found that it was
often and commonly abused as a means of sending a message to a lot
of people (much similar to WALL). Due to this it is recommended
that the current implementation of WALLOPS be used as an
example by allowing and recognising only servers as the senders of
WALLOPS.
Numeric Replies:
ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
Examples:
:csd.bu.edu WALLOPS :Connect '*.uiuc.edu 6667' from Joshua; WALLOPS
message from csd.bu.edu announcing a
CONNECT message it received and acted
upon from Joshua.
5.7 Userhost message
Command: USERHOST
Parameters: <nickname>{<space><nickname>}
The USERHOST command takes a list of up to 5 nicknames, each
separated by a space character and returns a list of information
about each nickname that it found. The returned list has each reply
separated by a space.
Numeric Replies:
RPL_USERHOST ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
Examples:
USERHOST Wiz Michael Marty p ;USERHOST request for information on
nicks "Wiz", "Michael", "Marty" and "p"
5.8 Ison message
Command: ISON
Parameters: <nickname>{<space><nickname>}
The ISON command was implemented to provide a quick and efficient
means to get a response about whether a given nickname was currently
on IRC. ISON only takes one (1) parameter: a space-separated list of
nicks. For each nickname in the list that is present, the server
adds that to its reply string. Thus the reply string may return
empty (none of the given nicks are present), an exact copy of the
parameter string (all of them present) or as any other subset of the
set of nicks given in the parameter. The only limit on the number
of nicks that may be checked is that the combined length must not be
too large as to cause the server to chop it off so it fits in 512
characters.
ISON is only be processed by the server local to the client sending
the command and thus not passed onto other servers for further
processing.
Numeric Replies:
RPL_ISON ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
Examples:
ISON phone trillian WiZ jarlek Avalon Angel Monstah
; Sample ISON request for 7 nicks.
6. REPLIES
The following is a list of numeric replies which are generated in
response to the commands given above. Each numeric is given with its
number, name and reply string.
6.1 Error Replies.
401 ERR_NOSUCHNICK
"<nickname> :No such nick/channel"
- Used to indicate the nickname parameter supplied to a
command is currently unused.
402 ERR_NOSUCHSERVER
"<server name> :No such server"
- Used to indicate the server name given currently
doesn't exist.
403 ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL
"<channel name> :No such channel"
- Used to indicate the given channel name is invalid.
404 ERR_CANNOTSENDTOCHAN
"<channel name> :Cannot send to channel"
- Sent to a user who is either (a) not on a channel
which is mode +n or (b) not a chanop (or mode +v) on
a channel which has mode +m set and is trying to send
a PRIVMSG message to that channel.
405 ERR_TOOMANYCHANNELS
"<channel name> :You have joined too many \
channels"
- Sent to a user when they have joined the maximum
number of allowed channels and they try to join
another channel.
406 ERR_WASNOSUCHNICK
"<nickname> :There was no such nickname"
- Returned by WHOWAS to indicate there is no history
information for that nickname.
407 ERR_TOOMANYTARGETS
"<target> :Duplicate recipients. No message \
delivered"
- Returned to a client which is attempting to send a
PRIVMSG/NOTICE using the user@host destination format
and for a user@host which has several occurrences.
409 ERR_NOORIGIN
":No origin specified"
- PING or PONG message missing the originator parameter
which is required since these commands must work
without valid prefixes.
411 ERR_NORECIPIENT
":No recipient given (<command>)"
412 ERR_NOTEXTTOSEND
":No text to send"
413 ERR_NOTOPLEVEL
"<mask> :No toplevel domain specified"
414 ERR_WILDTOPLEVEL
"<mask> :Wildcard in toplevel domain"
- 412 - 414 are returned by PRIVMSG to indicate that
the message wasn't delivered for some reason.
ERR_NOTOPLEVEL and ERR_WILDTOPLEVEL are errors that
are returned when an invalid use of
"PRIVMSG $<server>" or "PRIVMSG #<host>" is attempted.
421 ERR_UNKNOWNCOMMAND
"<command> :Unknown command"
- Returned to a registered client to indicate that the
command sent is unknown by the server.
422 ERR_NOMOTD
":MOTD File is missing"
- Server's MOTD file could not be opened by the server.
423 ERR_NOADMININFO
"<server> :No administrative info available"
- Returned by a server in response to an ADMIN message
when there is an error in finding the appropriate
information.
424 ERR_FILEERROR
":File error doing <file op> on <file>"
- Generic error message used to report a failed file
operation during the processing of a message.
431 ERR_NONICKNAMEGIVEN
":No nickname given"
- Returned when a nickname parameter expected for a
command and isn't found.
432 ERR_ERRONEUSNICKNAME
"<nick> :Erroneus nickname"
- Returned after receiving a NICK message which contains
characters which do not fall in the defined set. See
section x.x.x for details on valid nicknames.
433 ERR_NICKNAMEINUSE
"<nick> :Nickname is already in use"
- Returned when a NICK message is processed that results
in an attempt to change to a currently existing
nickname.
436 ERR_NICKCOLLISION
"<nick> :Nickname collision KILL"
- Returned by a server to a client when it detects a
nickname collision (registered of a NICK that
already exists by another server).
441 ERR_USERNOTINCHANNEL
"<nick> <channel> :They aren't on that channel"
- Returned by the server to indicate that the target
user of the command is not on the given channel.
442 ERR_NOTONCHANNEL
"<channel> :You're not on that channel"
- Returned by the server whenever a client tries to
perform a channel effecting command for which the
client isn't a member.
443 ERR_USERONCHANNEL
"<user> <channel> :is already on channel"
- Returned when a client tries to invite a user to a
channel they are already on.
444 ERR_NOLOGIN
"<user> :User not logged in"
- Returned by the summon after a SUMMON command for a
user was unable to be performed since they were not
logged in.
445 ERR_SUMMONDISABLED
":SUMMON has been disabled"
- Returned as a response to the SUMMON command. Must be
returned by any server which does not implement it.
446 ERR_USERSDISABLED
":USERS has been disabled"
- Returned as a response to the USERS command. Must be
returned by any server which does not implement it.
451 ERR_NOTREGISTERED
":You have not registered"
- Returned by the server to indicate that the client
must be registered before the server will allow it
to be parsed in detail.
461 ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS
"<command> :Not enough parameters"
- Returned by the server by numerous commands to
indicate to the client that it didn't supply enough
parameters.
462 ERR_ALREADYREGISTRED
":You may not reregister"
- Returned by the server to any link which tries to
change part of the registered details (such as
password or user details from second USER message).
463 ERR_NOPERMFORHOST
":Your host isn't among the privileged"
- Returned to a client which attempts to register with
a server which does not been setup to allow
connections from the host the attempted connection
is tried.
464 ERR_PASSWDMISMATCH
":Password incorrect"
- Returned to indicate a failed attempt at registering
a connection for which a password was required and
was either not given or incorrect.
465 ERR_YOUREBANNEDCREEP
":You are banned from this server"
- Returned after an attempt to connect and register
yourself with a server which has been setup to
explicitly deny connections to you.
467 ERR_KEYSET
"<channel> :Channel key already set"
471 ERR_CHANNELISFULL
"<channel> :Cannot join channel (+l)"
472 ERR_UNKNOWNMODE
"<char> :is unknown mode char to me"
473 ERR_INVITEONLYCHAN
"<channel> :Cannot join channel (+i)"
474 ERR_BANNEDFROMCHAN
"<channel> :Cannot join channel (+b)"
475 ERR_BADCHANNELKEY
"<channel> :Cannot join channel (+k)"
481 ERR_NOPRIVILEGES
":Permission Denied- You're not an IRC operator"
- Any command requiring operator privileges to operate
must return this error to indicate the attempt was
unsuccessful.
482 ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED
"<channel> :You're not channel operator"
- Any command requiring 'chanop' privileges (such as
MODE messages) must return this error if the client
making the attempt is not a chanop on the specified
channel.
483 ERR_CANTKILLSERVER
":You cant kill a server!"
- Any attempts to use the KILL command on a server
are to be refused and this error returned directly
to the client.
491 ERR_NOOPERHOST
":No O-lines for your host"
- If a client sends an OPER message and the server has
not been configured to allow connections from the
client's host as an operator, this error must be
returned.
501 ERR_UMODEUNKNOWNFLAG
":Unknown MODE flag"
- Returned by the server to indicate that a MODE
message was sent with a nickname parameter and that
the a mode flag sent was not recognized.
502 ERR_USERSDONTMATCH
":Cant change mode for other users"
- Error sent to any user trying to view or change the
user mode for a user other than themselves.
6.2 Command responses.
300 RPL_NONE
Dummy reply number. Not used.
302 RPL_USERHOST
":[<reply>{<space><reply>}]"
- Reply format used by USERHOST to list replies to
the query list. The reply string is composed as
follows:
<reply> ::= <nick>['*'] '=' <'+'|'-'><hostname>
The '*' indicates whether the client has registered
as an Operator. The '-' or '+' characters represent
whether the client has set an AWAY message or not
respectively.
303 RPL_ISON
":[<nick> {<space><nick>}]"
- Reply format used by ISON to list replies to the
query list.
301 RPL_AWAY
"<nick> :<away message>"
305 RPL_UNAWAY
":You are no longer marked as being away"
306 RPL_NOWAWAY
":You have been marked as being away"
- These replies are used with the AWAY command (if
allowed). RPL_AWAY is sent to any client sending a
PRIVMSG to a client which is away. RPL_AWAY is only
sent by the server to which the client is connected.
Replies RPL_UNAWAY and RPL_NOWAWAY are sent when the
client removes and sets an AWAY message.
311 RPL_WHOISUSER
"<nick> <user> <host> * :<real name>"
312 RPL_WHOISSERVER
"<nick> <server> :<server info>"
313 RPL_WHOISOPERATOR
"<nick> :is an IRC operator"
317 RPL_WHOISIDLE
"<nick> <integer> :seconds idle"
318 RPL_ENDOFWHOIS
"<nick> :End of /WHOIS list"
319 RPL_WHOISCHANNELS
"<nick> :{[@|+]<channel><space>}"
- Replies 311 - 313, 317 - 319 are all replies
generated in response to a WHOIS message. Given that
there are enough parameters present, the answering
server must either formulate a reply out of the above
numerics (if the query nick is found) or return an
error reply. The '*' in RPL_WHOISUSER is there as
the literal character and not as a wild card. For
each reply set, only RPL_WHOISCHANNELS may appear
more than once (for long lists of channel names).
The '@' and '+' characters next to the channel name
indicate whether a client is a channel operator or
has been granted permission to speak on a moderated
channel. The RPL_ENDOFWHOIS reply is used to mark
the end of processing a WHOIS message.
314 RPL_WHOWASUSER
"<nick> <user> <host> * :<real name>"
369 RPL_ENDOFWHOWAS
"<nick> :End of WHOWAS"
- When replying to a WHOWAS message, a server must use
the replies RPL_WHOWASUSER, RPL_WHOISSERVER or
ERR_WASNOSUCHNICK for each nickname in the presented
list. At the end of all reply batches, there must
be RPL_ENDOFWHOWAS (even if there was only one reply
and it was an error).
321 RPL_LISTSTART
"Channel :Users Name"
322 RPL_LIST
"<channel> <# visible> :<topic>"
323 RPL_LISTEND
":End of /LIST"
- Replies RPL_LISTSTART, RPL_LIST, RPL_LISTEND mark
the start, actual replies with data and end of the
server's response to a LIST command. If there are
no channels available to return, only the start
and end reply must be sent.
324 RPL_CHANNELMODEIS
"<channel> <mode> <mode params>"
331 RPL_NOTOPIC
"<channel> :No topic is set"
332 RPL_TOPIC
"<channel> :<topic>"
- When sending a TOPIC message to determine the
channel topic, one of two replies is sent. If
the topic is set, RPL_TOPIC is sent back else
RPL_NOTOPIC.
341 RPL_INVITING
"<channel> <nick>"
- Returned by the server to indicate that the
attempted INVITE message was successful and is
being passed onto the end client.
342 RPL_SUMMONING
"<user> :Summoning user to IRC"
- Returned by a server answering a SUMMON message to
indicate that it is summoning that user.
351 RPL_VERSION
"<version>.<debuglevel> <server> :<comments>"
- Reply by the server showing its version details.
The <version> is the version of the software being
used (including any patchlevel revisions) and the
<debuglevel> is used to indicate if the server is
running in "debug mode".
The "comments" field may contain any comments about
the version or further version details.
352 RPL_WHOREPLY
"<channel> <user> <host> <server> <nick> \
<H|G>[*][@|+] :<hopcount> <real name>"
315 RPL_ENDOFWHO
"<name> :End of /WHO list"
- The RPL_WHOREPLY and RPL_ENDOFWHO pair are used
to answer a WHO message. The RPL_WHOREPLY is only
sent if there is an appropriate match to the WHO
query. If there is a list of parameters supplied
with a WHO message, a RPL_ENDOFWHO must be sent
after processing each list item with <name> being
the item.
353 RPL_NAMREPLY
"<channel> :[[@|+]<nick> [[@|+]<nick> [...]]]"
366 RPL_ENDOFNAMES
"<channel> :End of /NAMES list"
- To reply to a NAMES message, a reply pair consisting
of RPL_NAMREPLY and RPL_ENDOFNAMES is sent by the
server back to the client. If there is no channel
found as in the query, then only RPL_ENDOFNAMES is
returned. The exception to this is when a NAMES
message is sent with no parameters and all visible
channels and contents are sent back in a series of
RPL_NAMEREPLY messages with a RPL_ENDOFNAMES to mark
the end.
364 RPL_LINKS
"<mask> <server> :<hopcount> <server info>"
365 RPL_ENDOFLINKS
"<mask> :End of /LINKS list"
- In replying to the LINKS message, a server must send
replies back using the RPL_LINKS numeric and mark the
end of the list using an RPL_ENDOFLINKS reply.
367 RPL_BANLIST
"<channel> <banid>"
368 RPL_ENDOFBANLIST
"<channel> :End of channel ban list"
- When listing the active 'bans' for a given channel,
a server is required to send the list back using the
RPL_BANLIST and RPL_ENDOFBANLIST messages. A separate
RPL_BANLIST is sent for each active banid. After the
banids have been listed (or if none present) a
RPL_ENDOFBANLIST must be sent.
371 RPL_INFO
":<string>"
374 RPL_ENDOFINFO
":End of /INFO list"
- A server responding to an INFO message is required to
send all its 'info' in a series of RPL_INFO messages
with a RPL_ENDOFINFO reply to indicate the end of the
replies.
375 RPL_MOTDSTART
":- <server> Message of the day - "
372 RPL_MOTD
":- <text>"
376 RPL_ENDOFMOTD
":End of /MOTD command"
- When responding to the MOTD message and the MOTD file
is found, the file is displayed line by line, with
each line no longer than 80 characters, using
RPL_MOTD format replies. These should be surrounded
by a RPL_MOTDSTART (before the RPL_MOTDs) and an
RPL_ENDOFMOTD (after).
381 RPL_YOUREOPER
":You are now an IRC operator"
- RPL_YOUREOPER is sent back to a client which has
just successfully issued an OPER message and gained
operator status.
382 RPL_REHASHING
"<config file> :Rehashing"
- If the REHASH option is used and an operator sends
a REHASH message, an RPL_REHASHING is sent back to
the operator.
391 RPL_TIME
"<server> :<string showing server's local time>"
- When replying to the TIME message, a server must send
the reply using the RPL_TIME format above. The string
showing the time need only contain the correct day and
time there. There is no further requirement for the
time string.
392 RPL_USERSSTART
":UserID Terminal Host"
393 RPL_USERS
":%-8s %-9s %-8s"
394 RPL_ENDOFUSERS
":End of users"
395 RPL_NOUSERS
":Nobody logged in"
- If the USERS message is handled by a server, the
replies RPL_USERSTART, RPL_USERS, RPL_ENDOFUSERS and
RPL_NOUSERS are used. RPL_USERSSTART must be sent
first, following by either a sequence of RPL_USERS
or a single RPL_NOUSER. Following this is
RPL_ENDOFUSERS.
200 RPL_TRACELINK
"Link <version & debug level> <destination> \
<next server>"
201 RPL_TRACECONNECTING
"Try. <class> <server>"
202 RPL_TRACEHANDSHAKE
"H.S. <class> <server>"
203 RPL_TRACEUNKNOWN
"???? <class> [<client IP address in dot form>]"
204 RPL_TRACEOPERATOR
"Oper <class> <nick>"
205 RPL_TRACEUSER
"User <class> <nick>"
206 RPL_TRACESERVER
"Serv <class> <int>S <int>C <server> \
<nick!user|*!*>@<host|server>"
208 RPL_TRACENEWTYPE
"<newtype> 0 <client name>"
261 RPL_TRACELOG
"File <logfile> <debug level>"
- The RPL_TRACE* are all returned by the server in
response to the TRACE message. How many are
returned is dependent on the the TRACE message and
whether it was sent by an operator or not. There
is no predefined order for which occurs first.
Replies RPL_TRACEUNKNOWN, RPL_TRACECONNECTING and
RPL_TRACEHANDSHAKE are all used for connections
which have not been fully established and are either
unknown, still attempting to connect or in the
process of completing the 'server handshake'.
RPL_TRACELINK is sent by any server which handles
a TRACE message and has to pass it on to another
server. The list of RPL_TRACELINKs sent in
response to a TRACE command traversing the IRC
network should reflect the actual connectivity of
the servers themselves along that path.
RPL_TRACENEWTYPE is to be used for any connection
which does not fit in the other categories but is
being displayed anyway.
211 RPL_STATSLINKINFO
"<linkname> <sendq> <sent messages> \
<sent bytes> <received messages> \
<received bytes> <time open>"
212 RPL_STATSCOMMANDS
"<command> <count>"
213 RPL_STATSCLINE
"C <host> * <name> <port> <class>"
214 RPL_STATSNLINE
"N <host> * <name> <port> <class>"
215 RPL_STATSILINE
"I <host> * <host> <port> <class>"
216 RPL_STATSKLINE
"K <host> * <username> <port> <class>"
218 RPL_STATSYLINE
"Y <class> <ping frequency> <connect \
frequency> <max sendq>"
219 RPL_ENDOFSTATS
"<stats letter> :End of /STATS report"
241 RPL_STATSLLINE
"L <hostmask> * <servername> <maxdepth>"
242 RPL_STATSUPTIME
":Server Up %d days %d:%02d:%02d"
243 RPL_STATSOLINE
"O <hostmask> * <name>"
244 RPL_STATSHLINE
"H <hostmask> * <servername>"
221 RPL_UMODEIS
"<user mode string>"
- To answer a query about a client's own mode,
RPL_UMODEIS is sent back.
251 RPL_LUSERCLIENT
":There are <integer> users and <integer> \
invisible on <integer> servers"
252 RPL_LUSEROP
"<integer> :operator(s) online"
253 RPL_LUSERUNKNOWN
"<integer> :unknown connection(s)"
254 RPL_LUSERCHANNELS
"<integer> :channels formed"
255 RPL_LUSERME
":I have <integer> clients and <integer> \
servers"
- In processing an LUSERS message, the server
sends a set of replies from RPL_LUSERCLIENT,
RPL_LUSEROP, RPL_USERUNKNOWN,
RPL_LUSERCHANNELS and RPL_LUSERME. When
replying, a server must send back
RPL_LUSERCLIENT and RPL_LUSERME. The other
replies are only sent back if a non-zero count
is found for them.
256 RPL_ADMINME
"<server> :Administrative info"
257 RPL_ADMINLOC1
":<admin info>"
258 RPL_ADMINLOC2
":<admin info>"
259 RPL_ADMINEMAIL
":<admin info>"
- When replying to an ADMIN message, a server
is expected to use replies RLP_ADMINME
through to RPL_ADMINEMAIL and provide a text
message with each. For RPL_ADMINLOC1 a
description of what city, state and country
the server is in is expected, followed by
details of the university and department
(RPL_ADMINLOC2) and finally the administrative
contact for the server (an email address here
is required) in RPL_ADMINEMAIL.
6.3 Reserved numerics.
These numerics are not described above since they fall into one of
the following categories:
1. no longer in use;
2. reserved for future planned use;
3. in current use but are part of a non-generic 'feature' of
the current IRC server.
209 RPL_TRACECLASS 217 RPL_STATSQLINE
231 RPL_SERVICEINFO 232 RPL_ENDOFSERVICES
233 RPL_SERVICE 234 RPL_SERVLIST
235 RPL_SERVLISTEND
316 RPL_WHOISCHANOP 361 RPL_KILLDONE
362 RPL_CLOSING 363 RPL_CLOSEEND
373 RPL_INFOSTART 384 RPL_MYPORTIS
466 ERR_YOUWILLBEBANNED 476 ERR_BADCHANMASK
492 ERR_NOSERVICEHOST
7. Client and server authentication
Clients and servers are both subject to the same level of
authentication. For both, an IP number to hostname lookup (and
reverse check on this) is performed for all connections made to the
server. Both connections are then subject to a password check (if
there is a password set for that connection). These checks are
possible on all connections although the password check is only
commonly used with servers.
An additional check that is becoming of more and more common is that
of the username responsible for making the connection. Finding the
username of the other end of the connection typically involves
connecting to an authentication server such as IDENT as described in
RFC1413.
Given that without passwords it is not easy to reliably determine who
is on the other end of a network connection, use of passwords is
strongly recommended on inter-server connections in addition to any