IRC Guide

Quick Connection Reference

Already know IRC? Connect with SASL PLAIN and join #deadkeys. Read on for setup help.

Choosing a Client

We recommend Halloy. It's open source, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and has SASL support built in. You configure it with a TOML file, covered below.

Other options:

• mIRC - the classic Windows IRC client, still actively developed
• HexChat - graphical client for Windows and Linux
• Textual - IRC client for macOS and iOS
• goguma - Android client
• senpai - terminal-based, with good IRCv3 support
• WeeChat - terminal-based, highly extensible
• IRCCloud - hosted client and bouncer, keeps you connected when you're away

A DeadKeys-hosted web client (gamja) is coming soon.

Libera Chat maintains a list of clients across platforms: Libera Chat's client list.

Registering Your Nickname

Once you're connected, register your nickname. This reserves it so nobody else can use it and gives you access to game channels.

1. Pick a nickname (your client sets this on connect, or use /nick YourNick)
2. Register it with NickServ:

/nickserv register <password>

Registration completes immediately. Your nickname is now reserved and only you can use it.

Use a strong password with no spaces. This is separate from any client-side passwords.

Joining and Leaving Channels

To join a channel:

/join #channelname

To leave a channel:

/part #channelname

Most clients also let you join channels through their UI. Some channels require registration before you can join.

Adding Alternate Nicknames

If you use more than one nickname (e.g., a shorter nick on mobile), you can group them under your main account. Grouped nicks share the same password, access, and settings.

You must be authenticated on your main account first (via SASL or server password). Then:

1. Switch to the alt nick:

/nick YourAltNick

2. Group it:

/nickserv group

Repeat for each alt nick you want to add. All grouped nicks authenticate to the same account.

Note: do not /nickserv register while using an alt nick. That creates a separate account with its own password and authentication. Use /nickserv group to add nicks to your existing account.

Authenticating with SASL

SASL authenticates you during connection, before you're fully online. This is more reliable than identifying after connect, and you're never visible as an unidentified user.

Halloy

Add this to your Halloy configuration file (halloy.toml):

[servers.deadkeys]
server = "irc.deadkeys.net"
port = 6697
use_tls = true
nickname = "YourNick"

[servers.deadkeys.sasl.plain]
username = "YourNick"
password = "YourNickServPassword"

Replace YourNick and YourNickServPassword with your registered nickname and password. See Halloy's server configuration docs for the full set of options.

mIRC

These steps apply to mIRC 7.48 and later:

1. Open File then Select Server...
2. In Connect, go to Servers, find the DeadKeys entry, and click Edit
3. From the Login Method dropdown, choose SASL (/CAP)
4. In the Password field, enter: YourNick:YourNickServPassword
5. Click OK

Adapted from Libera Chat's mIRC SASL guide.

Other Clients

For other clients, see Libera Chat's connection guides. The setup is the same; just use irc.deadkeys.net as the server and 6697 as the port.

Server Password (Alternative)

If your client doesn't support SASL, you can authenticate with a server password instead. In your client's server password field, enter:

YourNick:YourNickServPassword

This sends your credentials on connect, but SASL is preferred when your client supports it.

Channel Etiquette

• #deadkeys is the general channel, open to all.
• Game channels (e.g., #VC_ prefix) are for play and game discussion.
• The ST (Storyteller) has authority in game channels during sessions.
• Be respectful.