Channel Modes

What is a mode?

Modes are the switches that decide how a channel behaves: who can enter, who can speak, who can change the topic. A channel operator (@) changes them like this:

/mode #channel +m        — turn a mode on
/mode #channel -m        — turn it off
/mode #channel           — see the current modes

In WebChat you can click the channel title and use the tick boxes in channel management instead — no commands to memorise.

Modes people use most

• +n — nobody outside the channel can send messages to it. (On in almost every channel.)
• +t — only operators can change the topic.
• +m — moderated: only @ (op) and + (voice) can speak. Useful for crowded events.
• +i — invite only.
• +s — secret: the channel does not appear in the channel list.
• +p — private channel.
• +R — registered users only. This is the single most effective setting against spam from guest accounts.

Modes that take a value

• +k <key> — sets a channel password. To enter: /join #channel key
• +l <number> — user limit. e.g. /mode #channel +l 50
• +H <lines>:<age> — history: someone joining sees recent messages. e.g. /mode #channel +H 30:12h → the last 30 lines, up to 12 hours old. Units: m minutes, h hours, d days.

List modes (bans and exceptions)

• +b — ban: a matching person cannot enter. /mode #channel +b nick!*@*
• +e — ban exception: this mask may enter even if a ban matches it.
• +I — invite exception: this mask may enter without an invite while +i is on.

To see the current ban list: /mode #channel +b

Per-person privileges

• @ (op) — channel operator: changes modes, kicks, bans. /mode #channel +o nick
• + (voice) — can speak while +m is on. /mode #channel +v nick

Permanent privileges (automatic op on every join) come from channel registration, through ChanServ: Channel commands.

Common situations

“I cannot type in the channel.” The channel may be +m (you need voice) or +R (you need to register your nickname and identify).

“The channel is not in the list.” It may be +s (secret); people who know the name can still join.