Modes are essential to every IRC channel, and are used for a range of reasons. These include user limits, channel keys (passwords), banned users, etc.

DALnet currently has 2 channel modes that affect user status, and 18 channel modes that affect the functioning and access of the channel.

You can supply up to 6 modes in a single /mode command.

All modes can be set by preceding with a plus (+) and unset by preceding with a (–)

Modes can also be combined, e.g. /mode #channel +oo-vb nick1 nick2 nick3 *!*@yourisp.com
This will give @Operator status to nick1 and nick2, remove voice from nick3, and ban *!*@yourisp.com

Channel User Modes

• o <nick>
  Gives / removes the specified user(s) @Operator status

  /mode #channel +o Fred
  /mode #channel -o Fred

• v <nick>
  Gives / removes the specified user(s) +Voice status

  /mode #channel +v Fred
  /mode #channel -v Fred

Channel modes requiring a value

• b <mask>
  Adds/Removes a mask from the channel’s ban list

  /mode #channel +b *!*@superfastinternet.com
  /mode #channel -b *!*@superfastinternet.com

• e <mask>
  ‘e’ stands for except, which allows users to join the channel even if their host matches an address in the ban list.Using the example below would mean that if Fred, whose full hostmask is Fred!user@superfastinternet.com tried to join while the hostmask *!*@superfastinternet.com was banned, he would still be allowed entry. +e always overrides mode +b.

  /mode #channel +e Fred!*@*

• I <mask>
  Allows users matching the hostmask to join the channel if it is set to Invite Only (+i). The user will not need to be invited in order for them to join.In the example below, anyone using the nickname Fred, with their Ident set as ‘user’ would be able to bypass the +i mode.

  /mode #channel +I Fred!user@*

• j <N:S>
  This mode is used for join throttling, and its purpose is to prevent join floods by only allowing N users to join within S seconds.In this example, users would be temporarily prevented from joining if more than 5 users joined the channel within 10 seconds.
  Note: The users parameter (N) cannot be lower than 4.

  /mode #channel +j 5:10

• k <key>Requires users to supply the key in their /join command in order to enter the channel.

  /mode #channel +k secretkey123

  Users wishing to join #channel would have to use the command /join #channel secretkey123

• l <limit>
  Controls the maximum amount of users permitted in the channel. Once the limit is reaced, any users who try to join will receive an error message saying the channel is full.

  /mode #channel +l 25

Channel modes not requiring a value

• c  – No Colours
  Prevents users sending messages to the channel that contain colours or formatting (bold, underline, etc.)

  /mode #channel +c

• i – Invite Only
  Sets the channel invite only. Users have to be invited by using the /invite command in order to join, or invite themselves using /ChanServ INVITE #channel if they are an AOp, SOp, Manager or Founder in the channel.

  /mode #channel +i

• m – Moderated
  A moderated channel allows only users who have status (@Op or +Voice) to send messages to the channel. Messages from any normal user will be blocked and will receive an error message. Any normal user in a moderated channel will also be prevented from changing their nickname unless they part the channel first and rejoin.

  /mode #channel +m

• M – Moderated except for registered nicknames
  This mode only allows users to talk in the channel if their nickname is registered and they have identified to NickServ.
  Unregistered or unidentified users can still join the channel, but will be unable to talk. Similar to +R.

  /mode #channel +M

• n – No external messages
  This mode prevents users from being able to send messages to the channel unless they have joined it first.

  /mode #channel +n

• O – Opers Only
  This mode only allows IRC Operators (network staff) to join the channel, and can only be set on a channel by IRC Operators.

  /mode #channel +O

• p – Private
  A private channel is hidden from the /whois of users, unless the user doing the /whois is also on that channel.

  /mode #channel +p

• r – Registered
  This mode can only be set by services and shows that the channel has been registered with ChanServ. Cannot be unset.

  (cannot be set by users)

• R – Registered nicknames only
  Only users who have a registered nickname, and have identified to NickServ can join the channel. All other users will receive an error message. Alternative to +M.

  /mode #channel +R

• s – Secret
  Similar to p (private), this mode also hides the channel in /whois unless both of the users are in the channel in question.
  In addition, this mode also prevents the channel from showing up in channel lists using the /list command. There is no need to set the +p mode if you are using +s.

  /mode #channel +p

• S – SSL users only
  Only users who have connected to the network using SSL can enter the channel. All other users will receive an error message.

  /mode #channel +S

• t – Only ops can change topic
  This mode only allows operators to change the topic. If +t is not set, any user can change the topic.
  The ability to change the topic is also subject to the channel’s TOPICLOCK setting in ChanServ.

  /mode #channel +t