> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.profclaw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# IRC

> Connect profClaw to IRC networks. Classic IRC protocol with TLS support, NickServ auth, and multi-channel support.

profClaw can join IRC networks as a bot, responding to direct messages and channel mentions. Supports TLS connections and NickServ authentication.

## Capabilities

| Feature          | Supported        |
| ---------------- | ---------------- |
| Direct messages  | Yes              |
| Channel messages | Yes (on mention) |
| TLS connections  | Yes              |
| NickServ auth    | Yes              |
| Multi-channel    | Yes              |
| CTCP             | No               |
| DCC              | No               |

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose a network">
    Pick an IRC network (Libera.Chat, OFTC, Freenode successor, etc.).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a nickname">
    Pick a unique bot nickname. Register it with NickServ if the network supports it:

    ```
    /msg NickServ REGISTER password email@example.com
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure profClaw">
    ```bash theme={null}
    IRC_SERVER=irc.libera.chat
    IRC_PORT=6697
    IRC_NICK=profclaw-bot
    IRC_PASSWORD=nickserv-password
    IRC_CHANNELS=#your-channel,#another-channel
    IRC_USE_TLS=true
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Environment Variables

<ParamField path="IRC_SERVER" type="string" required>
  IRC server hostname (e.g., `irc.libera.chat`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="IRC_PORT" type="number">
  IRC server port. Defaults to `6667`. Use `6697` for TLS.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="IRC_NICK" type="string" required>
  Bot nickname.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="IRC_PASSWORD" type="string">
  NickServ or server password.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="IRC_CHANNELS" type="string" required>
  Comma-separated list of channels to join (e.g., `#general,#dev`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="IRC_USE_TLS" type="boolean">
  Enable TLS. Defaults to `true`.
</ParamField>

## Configuration Example

<Tabs>
  <Tab title=".env">
    ```bash theme={null}
    IRC_SERVER=irc.libera.chat
    IRC_PORT=6697
    IRC_NICK=profclaw
    IRC_PASSWORD=my-nickserv-password
    IRC_CHANNELS=#dev,#ai-bots
    IRC_USE_TLS=true
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="settings.yml">
    ```yaml theme={null}
    chat:
      irc:
        server: "${IRC_SERVER}"
        port: 6697
        nick: "${IRC_NICK}"
        password: "${IRC_PASSWORD}"
        channels:
          - "#dev"
          - "#ai-bots"
        use_tls: true
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Bot Trigger

In channels, the bot responds when mentioned:

```
<user> profclaw: what is the weather in London?
<profclaw> According to current data, London is 12°C and cloudy.
```

In private messages, all messages are processed.

## Notes

* Status: Beta
* IRC is connectionless - profClaw maintains a persistent TCP connection.
* If the connection drops, profClaw automatically reconnects.
* TLS port 6697 is strongly recommended over plaintext 6667.
* NickServ registration prevents nick squatting on public networks.

## Related

* [Chat Providers Overview](/chat-providers/overview) - Compare all 27 supported channels
* [Matrix](/chat-providers/matrix) - Modern federated messaging as an IRC alternative
* [Rocket.Chat](/chat-providers/rocket-chat) - Self-hosted modern chat for developer communities
* [profclaw channels](/cli/channels) - Enable and test the IRC connection from the CLI