Weechat

Basic command and uses for Weechat

Adding and Connecting to a Server

To add a server (in this case the DarkWorld network), you will use the /server command.

/server add darkworld irc.darkworld.network/6697 -ssl -autoconnect

This adds a server named “oftc” with hostname “irc.oftc.net” connecting on port 6697. WeeChat will connect using SSL and will automatically connect when you start WeeChat. Once you define the server, you can run:

/connect darkworld

This will tell WeeChat to connect to the server you just set up.

To disconnect, run:

/disconnect darkworld

Joining and Parting Channels

To join a channel, run:

/join channel

For example, /join #DarkWorld.

Make sure to run join/part commands in the proper server window. You can use ALT+X to switch server windows.

To part, or leave, a channel, run:

/part channel

For example, /part #DarkWorld.

Switching Channels/Buffers

If you have mouse support enabled and also have installed buffers.pl (see the WeeChat Commands section below), then you can simply click on buffers you have joined then type messages in the bottom bar. Pressing Enter will submit your message.

Otherwise, you can use /buffer to switch between buffers by number or name. For example, /buffer 1 will switch to buffer 1, while /buffer #DarkWorld will switch to the #linode buffer. You can also press ALT+number (ESC+number on a Mac), where “number” is 1-9, to switch to that buffer number. ALT+4 (ESC+4 on a Mac) will switch to buffer 4.

Sending Private Messages

To send a private message to a nickname, run:

/msg nick message

For example, to send the message “Have you heard about Linode?” to someone with the nickname friend, run:

/msg friend Have you heard about Linode?

You can also open a buffer for a nickname with /query. This will create a new buffer which you can send and receive messages in to and from a user. For example, /query friend will open a conversation with “friend”.

Changing your Nickname

To change your nickname after you have connected, run:

/nick newnickname

Note that this will only work if the new nickname is not already in use.

Quitting WeeChat

To quit WeeChat completely, run:

/quit

Configuring WeeChat

You usually will not have to directly edit any WeeChat configuration files. Most configuration is done through WeeChat commands.

Installing Plugins

WeeChat has a plugins system which allows you to install different modifications to WeeChat for different use-cases and user preference. In WeeChat versions 0.3.9 and above, a script management system is included. /script will open up a list of available and installed scripts. From there, you can follow the instructions to install scripts interactively, or install a script using /script install followed by the script name.

WeeChat Commands

All WeeChat commands begin with a /. Every channel in WeeChat is a buffer. Servers are also buffers. By default, WeeChat does not include a list of buffers, but you may install a plugin that does. The buffers.pl plugin is recommended and displays a list of buffers on the left of the screen. This allows you to see what channels and servers you are in without having to remember special commands.

/script install buffers.pl

/mouse enable will enable mouse support, which allows you to scroll as well as click buffers to change channels and servers.

A list of basic commands is below.

Command	Description
/help	Lists commands, if a command is given then shows command usage and description
/join	Joins a channel
/close	Closes a buffer, parting the channel if you are in it
/quit	Quit WeeChat
/msg	Send a message to a nick (or channel)
/query	Opens a private buffer with a nick
/ban	Ban a user from a channel
/unban	Unban a user from a channel
/kick	Kick a user from a channel
/kickban	Kick and ban a user from a channel
/part	Parts a channel but does not close the buffers
/topic	Sets channel topic
/whois	Shows information about a user

Setting Default Channels

WeeChat uses the /set command to manipulate WeeChat settings. It allows you to change many different attributes about WeeChat, including appearance and functionality.

You can tell WeeChat to automatically connect to some channels when it connects to a server using the irc.server.name.autojoin setting substituting the server to which you are connected for name. In the above configuration, we connected to oftc. This setting should be a comma separated list of channels to join. For example, if I want to join #linode when I connect to the oftc network, I would run:

/set irc.server.oftc.autojoin "#DarkWorld"

Then, whenever I connect to the oftc server, I will automatically join #linode.

Setting Default Nickname, Username, and Real Name

Setting the default nickname, username, and real name is just as simple. To set your default nickname, run:

/set irc.server_default.nicks "nickname"

You can also specify backup nicknames in case the one you want is taken when you connect.

/set irc.server_default.nicks "nickname,othernickname"

Setting the default username:

/set irc.server_default.username "username"

Setting the default real name:

/set irc.server_default.realname "realname"

More info:

https://www.weechat.org