Irssi

irssi is a powerful command line IRC client for connecting to internet relay chat (IRC) networks. Non-standard features are implemented with perl scripts, rather than in the core. Irssi can range from a functional, no-frills client to a highly-customized and automated client. Irssi can handle multiple IRC connections simultaneously, thus it is possible to be active in channels on different networks at the same time.

Install
Install :

To run the program, simply open up a terminal and type irssi. Read the manual man irssi to see all available command line options.

Configuring irssi
The first time irssi is invoked a configuration file will be created for in This can be modified with the /set command while in the client by typing /set option value. Type /set by it's self to see all available options and their current value.

For changes to remain persistent over restarts, modify the configuration file found at. See the following example:

Using irssi
Start irssi:

While in the irssi interface command-line options can be issued in order to have irssi perform the desired actions. Connect to a IRC network, here irc.freenode.net:

/connect chat.freenode.net

Set a user name f.e. larry: /nick larry

Starting irssi using the above options with one command line invocation:

Join a IRC channel f.e. #gentoo: /join #gentoo

Leave a channel: /leave #gentoo

Save configured irssi settings: /save

Quit an irssi IRC session: /exit

irssi with screen
Screen is a highly useful tool that allows a user to manipulate multiple windows inside of a single session. Each window operates independently of the others and acts like another terminal.

To install screen, or for more information in general, see the screen article.

If irssi is currently open, close it using the /quit command and start screen by simply typing

This opens a new screen session. To someone who has not used screen before it may appear that running the screen above did nothing. There was something that actually happened by running screen, using the -list option will show the user that there is now an open screen session:

Starting irssi inside the screen session will create a helpful use case. Start irssi again inside the screen session

While inside a screen session special keystrokes can be used in order to control screen. Pressing + is the keystroke needed to beseech control of screen.

Detaching screen sessions
To detach a screen session press: ++

Attaching screen sessions
To reattach to a running screen session type

External resources

 * Official irrsi documentation
 * irssi scripts index
 * IRC protocol RFC 1459