PureIRC

Connect to PureIRC

The essentials for a first connection, with client commands for those who already know their way around IRC.

Connection details

In your client’s server settings, enter the following:

Server
irc.pureirc.org
Port
6697
Encryption
TLS / SSL enabled
IP versions
IPv4 and IPv6

TLS protects the connection between your client and PureIRC. It is recommended, especially when sending account passwords. It is not end-to-end encryption of conversations.

Standard IRC is also available on port 6667 with TLS disabled. Individual server hostnames work with the same ports.

Choose a nickname

Your nickname is the name other people see on IRC. Choose an available name in your client before connecting. You can change it later with /nick newnick.

An X account reserves its matching nickname. If your chosen name belongs to someone else, choose another. Read about nickname protection if you already have an account.

Connect with an IRC client

These commands are entered in your IRC client, not in a system terminal. Choose the instructions for the client you use.

mIRC Windows

Set your nickname in mIRC’s connection options, then enter:

/server irc.pureirc.org +6697

The + before the port enables TLS. mIRC’s TLS documentation.

WeeChat Linux / macOS

Add PureIRC as a TLS server, then connect:

/server add pureirc irc.pureirc.org/6697 -tls
/connect pureirc

You can set your nickname before connecting with /set irc.server.pureirc.nicks "yourname". WeeChat’s quick start guide.

irssi Linux / macOS

/connect -tls -tls_verify irc.pureirc.org 6697

Both TLS and certificate verification are explicitly enabled. irssi’s connection reference.

Other desktop clients

Add a network named PureIRC, use irc.pureirc.org with port 6697, and enable TLS with certificate verification. If you already use HexChat, these settings apply there too; its final release was in 2024.

In a browser

PureIRC Webchat is the browser client address. If it is unavailable, use a desktop or terminal client with the settings above.

Find and join a channel

Channels are shared conversations, with names beginning with #. Use /list to find public channels, then /join #channel with the name you chose.

Read the topic when you arrive. Say what you would like to discuss and give people time to reply; not everyone watching a channel is at their keyboard.

For network help, join #help:

/join #help

For a private conversation, use /msg nickname Hello, replacing nickname with the person’s IRC name.

Basic IRC commands

/list

List public channels. Some channels are private and will not appear.

/join #channel

Join a channel; replace #channel with the channel you want.

/part #channel

Leave a channel without disconnecting from the network.

/nick newnick

Change your nickname, if the name is available.

/msg nickname Hello

Send a private message to a nickname.

/whois nickname

Look up public information about a connected user.

/quit

Disconnect from IRC.

Accounts and next steps

You can connect and chat without registering an X account. Register an account if you want to reserve your nickname or manage a registered channel.

Read the X services guide for registration and authentication. If connecting fails, start with connection troubleshooting.