Channel mode

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Channel modes are used in Internet Relay Chat to specify the properties of channels .

Channel mode syntax

Channel modes are always set, changed or displayed by the MODE command. Almost all modes can either be switched on or off.

By calling the MODE command without parameters, it is possible to display the currently set modes: 

MODE #foo
:irc.spaceboyz.net 324 nick #foo +snt
:irc.spaceboyz.net 329 nick #foo 1111111111

(the 1111111111 is the creation time of the channel in Unix time )

If the MODE command is used with parameters, either a plus sign (+) or a minus sign (-) is placed in front of the modes to indicate the desired operation: 

MODE #foo +i

Several modes can be strung together by simply writing them one after the other. Successive plus / minus signs can be omitted. 

MODE #foo -si+p-t

Mode parameters

If a mode requires parameters, these are appended at the end and, if necessary, separated by spaces: 

MODE #foo +kil key 123

To remove such a mode, usually only the mode preceded by - needs to be specified. Individual modes and can differ from this, especially + k on some servers.

Modes that expect host masks as parameters (+ b, + e, + I) keep a list of masks to which you can add (+) or remove (-). The list can be called up by specifying the mode alone and without parameters: 

MODE #foo b
:irc.spaceboyz.net 367 nick #foo nick!user@host nick 1111111112
:irc.spaceboyz.net 368 nick #foo :End of Channel Ban List

Modes

Common standard modes

b (Ban)

all IRCd : + b nick ! user @ host RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Prohibits the respective users from joining the channel. Some IRC servers allow operators to ignore this and join the channel anyway.

e (exception, ban exception)

modern IRCd: + e nick ! user @ host RFC 2811

Allows users to enter the channel despite any bans (+ b) that may be present.

i (Invite-only, by invitation only)

all IRCd: + i RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Makes joining the channel only possible after prior invitation (via / INVITE command). On some IRC servers, operators can invite themselves to such channels.

I (persistent invite, "Invex", saved invitation)

modern IRCd: + I nick ! user @ host RFC 2811

Invites users permanently to the channel so that they don't have to be invited via / INVITE every time.

k (key, password protection)

all IRCd: + k key RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Sets a password that has to be attached to the JOIN command as an additional parameter to join the channel. Without specifying the password, the channel can only be entered by operators or by nobody, depending on the IRC server.

l (limit, maximum number of users)

all IRCd: + l limit RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Limits the number of users in the channel to limit .

m (moderated, moderated)

all IRCd: + m RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Prohibits users without "voice" (+ v) or channel operator status (+ o) from speaking in the channel. If the IRC server knows additional channels from users (e.g. + h, + a, + q), they are normally also allowed to speak.

n (No external messages, no messages from outside users)

all IRCd: + n RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Prohibits sending messages to the channel from users who are not in the channel.

o (operator, channel operator status)

all IRCd: + oh nick RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Assigns channel operator status to the specified user.

p (private, private channel)

all IRCd: + p RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Marks the channel as private so that it does not appear in / WHO and / WHOIS queries and / NAMES cannot be used if you are not in this channel. Furthermore, the channel in / LIST is only listed without a topic.

s (Secret, secret channel)

all IRCd: + s RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Like + p, but the channel does not appear in / LIST. The modes + p and + s are mutually exclusive. If + s is added and + p was already set, + p is automatically removed from IRCd and vice versa.

t (Topic, topic can only be changed by channel operators)

all IRCd: + t RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Prevents changes to the topic of the channel by users who do not have channel operator status.

v (voice)

all IRCd: + v nick RFC 1459 , RFC 2811

Gives the specified user a "voice" so that, if + m is set, he can still speak in the channel.

rare / unknown / repurposed standard modes

Incomplete, the IRCd information should be treated with caution!

IRCnet ircd> = 2.10 + O nick RFC 2811 Creator (! -Channels)
IRCnet ircd> = 2.9 + a RFC 2811 Anonymous channel, usernames are not displayed
IRCnet ircd> = 2.9 + q RFC 2811 Quiet, no news in the channel
IRCnet ircd> = 2.11 + R hostmask RFC 2811 Reop (/ mode #channel + R *! Ident @ host)

Common channel modes for UnrealIRCd

UnrealIRCd + u Auditorium: for / names and / who only channel operators are displayed
UnrealIRCd + j JOINS: SECONDS Join flood protection: if more than JOINS joins per SECOND seconds are detected, + R is set.
UnrealIRCd + R Registered-Only: Only users with a nickname registered with the services can enter the channel.

Common channel modes for UndernetIRCd

UndernetIRCd is often used together with SRVX, + e and + I mode are not available.

UndernetIRCd + c no-color: No colored messages may be written in the channel.
UndernetIRCd + d / + D DelayJoin: joins / quits are not displayed until the user writes a message or receives voice / op.
UndernetIRCd + r Registered-Only: Only registered users can join the channel.
UndernetIRCd + z mode-lock: the modes of the channel are retained, even if the last user parted.