Connecting to an IRC server

Add a server

1. Open Servers on the toolbar and choose Add server….
2. In Start from, pick a ready-made entry or leave Blank profile.
3. Fill in a Nickname. You can add Alternatives (comma-separated); they are tried in order if the first nickname is taken.
4. Choose Save, or Save and connect.

Choosing a ready-made entry only fills in the form. Nothing connects until you press the connect button yourself, and no entry joins channels, registers nicknames, sends passwords or sends messages.

Username (ident)

The Username (ident) field is the user name sent to the server at registration. If it is left blank, your nickname is used.

TLS and certificates

TLS is on by default and certificates are always verified. If a server’s certificate cannot be verified, SwizzinIRC refuses to connect and tells you why. There is no option to ignore certificate errors.

An unencrypted connection exists only if you clear Use TLS or type /server <host> -insecure. It is clearly marked, and passwords are never sent over it.

For a server whose certificate is signed by a private authority, give the profile a CA file.

Authentication

In Edit server → Authentication you can choose:

• None
• Server password (PASS)
• SASL PLAIN (account name and password)

Passwords are stored in Windows Credential Manager, never in the profile file, and are not shown again after you save them. Leave the password box empty when editing to keep the stored one. Other authentication methods are refused with a message.

SwizzinIRC does not contact NickServ by itself. You do not need a registered nickname just to connect.

What a good connection looks like

In the Server messages window you should see, in order:

1. Connecting to <host>:<port> (TLS)…
2. Secure connection established … certificate verified for <host>.
3. Registered as <your nickname>
4. The server’s message of the day.

If the nickname is taken you will see Nickname '<nick>' is not available. Choose another with /nick, or add alternatives in Edit server.

Connect, disconnect, reconnect

• Use Servers → Connect / Disconnect / Reconnect, or type /connect [network] and /disconnect [reason].
• If the connection drops, SwizzinIRC reconnects by itself with growing delays and rejoins your channels. The server window tells you what happened.
• /server <host> [port] makes a temporary connection to a new host. Use Servers → Save server to keep it.
• To change a saved server, disconnect it first, then choose Edit server.