Using Irssi for Internet Relay Chat

Irssi is a terminal-based chat client for real-time conversations over Internet Relay Chat (IRC). IRC is the common meeting ground for Linode users to exchange knowledge and troubleshoot issues in our public channel, #linode on OFTC.

Irssi can run on Linux or MAC OS X, either from your local workstation or your Linode. If you are unfamiliar with using a Linux terminal, you may want to review the Linode guides Using the Terminal and Introduction to Linux Concepts. Additionally, it is assumed that you have followed our Setting Up and Securing a Compute Instance if you intend to run Irssi on your Linode.

Prerequisites

Complete these tasks before you start:

• Follow our Setting Up and Securing a Compute Instance guide to update your system. You may also wish to set the timezone, configure your hostname, create a limited user account, and harden SSH access.
• Make sure GNU Screen is installed. It should be by default. See our Screen Guide for information.

Installing Irssi

To install Irssi, issue the command for the appropriate system:

Debian or Ubuntu:

apt-get install irssi

CentOS or Fedora:

yum install irssi

Arch:

pacman -S irssi

Mac OS X with MacPorts:

port install irssi

Mac OS X with HomeBrew; check for new Brew formulas before you install Irssi. The following commands will update Brew and install Irssi:

brew update
brew install irssi

Starting Irssi

To start Irssi, follow the steps below.

1. Start a new Screen session called chat so Irssi will keep running when you close your terminal session:

   screen -S chat
   

2. Start Irssi:

   irssi
   

   You should see the Irssi startup screen on the default chat interface:

   

To rejoin Irssi later, just rejoin your Screen session.

Configuring Irssi

Now you can start configuring Irssi to use your preferred networks, join channels, and set your nick (nickname). These examples will show you how to connect to the Linode IRC channel, #linode.

Joining IRC Networks

The Linode channel is hosted on the OFTC network. An IRC network is made up one or more connected IRC servers with the same channels and people. Linode’s channel is on irc.oftc.net. Join the OFTC network with the following command, from within Irssi:

/connect irc.oftc.net

To disconnect from a channel, run:

/disconnect irc.oftc.net

Joining Channels

A channel is a chatroom. Linode’s channel is called #linode. Use the following command to join:

/join #linode

Once you’ve joined the channel, you can start typing messages to everyone in the channel.

To join a channel that has a password, use this command, replacing #channel with the channel name, and password with the channel password:

/join #channel password

To leave or part an IRC window use the following command:

/part #linode

Configuring Default Nickname (Nick)

To set your default nick use the command, replacing user with your desired nickname:

/set nick user

If the nickname (or nick) is already being used on the servers you’re connected to, Irssi will alert you.

Managing IRC Nicknames

Changing your IRC nickname is easy with the /nick command. Replace user with your new nickname:

/nick user

If the nickname (or nick) is already being used on the servers you’re connected to, Irssi will alert you.

When you change nicknames, every channel that you are joined to will receive (and display) a message alerting the participants of those channels that you have changed nicks.

If you want to gather more information about an IRC user, use the command below:

/whois new_user

Sample output of the whois command:

11:45 -!-  new_user [for@example.com]
11:45 -!-  ircname  : Cecil Sharp
11:45 -!-  channels : #linode
11:45 -!-  server   : sample.oftc.net [Galloway, NJ, US]
11:45 -!-           : user has identified to services

The information provided via this command includes the ircname, channels, and name of the user.

Sending Messages

To send a private message to just one person on your network, use the /msg command. You should replace friendnick with the other user’s nick, and Hello there! with your message:

/msg friendnick Hello there!

Messages are not encrypted and should not be considered secure communications. Also, there is no spellcheck feature in Irssi.

Basic Window Navigation

Every channel and private message has its own numbered window. To move between windows, use the command:

/win number

For example, if you joined the #linode channel on Window 2, you can get back to it with the command:

/win 2

Managing and Manipulating Windows

Use the Alt key and the window number to change to a different window. Window numbers 1 through 10 are 1 through 0 on the keyboard, and can be accessed by using the keybindings M-1 through M-0. Windows numbered 11 through 19 are accessed by using the key bindings M-q through M-o. Irssi does support more than 19 windows. Windows 20 and up are not accessible by key bindings. Issue the command below to navigate between windows:

/win number

Below are more commands for navigating between windows:

• /win list - generates a list in detail of all the windows. Sample output is below.

  

• Alt+A (/window goto active) - changes the focus of the current window to the window with the highest amount of activity and the lowest identifier.

• Ctrl-n (/window next) - moves the current focus to the next window in sequence.

• Ctrl-p (/window previous) - moves the current focus to the previous window in sequence.

• /wc (/window close) - closes the currently selected window.

Adding Default Networks

To automatically join a network when Irssi starts, run:

/server add -auto -network OFTC irc.oftc.net 6667

There are several options in this command. Let’s go over them briefly:

• The -auto flag tells Irssi to connect to the server on startup.
• The -network flag associates the server with a specific network. This is useful if you want to add multiple servers on the same network. Here I’ve associated irc.oftc.net with the network name OFTC
• Next we provide the server address we’re connecting to, irc.oftc.net
• Finally we specify a port to connect to the server on. You can leave this blank to use the default port, but if there’s an encrypted option we suggest using it.

Note that you may add as many channels as you like.

Irssi Commands and Usage

All Irssi commands are preceded by a slash (/). Each channel you join as well as any private messages you receive will appear in their own window. A prompt down on the left-hand side will display the name of the active window.

If you expect output from a command but don’t see it, you may need to return to your (status) channel.

Irssi commands are provided in the table below:

Disconnecting and Exiting Irssi

Disconnect from an IRC network by using this command, replacing freenode with your network:

/disconnect freenode

Exit the Irssi program using the command:

/exit

Configuring Hilights

The hilight command will highlight certain words used in the channels you have joined. If there are particular words or topics that you want to keep track of, add them with this command :

/hilight word

To remove a hilight, use the command:

/dehilight word

User-friendly Plugins

Enhance your Irssi experience with user-friendly plugins! Add a full list of open windows to the bottom of the screen, colored nicks, and more. Check out the Using Plugins section of the Advanced Irssi Usage guide.

More Information

You may wish to consult the following resources for additional information on this topic. While these are provided in the hope that they will be useful, please note that we cannot vouch for the accuracy or timeliness of externally hosted materials.

• Irssi Project Home Page
• Irssi Themes Page
• Screen for Persistent Terminal Sessions
• An Effective Guide for Using Screen and Irssi
• The Open and Free Technology Community
• The Freenode IRC Network
• GNU Screen
• Advanced Irssi Usage