Change channel settings and user privileges using mode flags. Modes control who can speak, who can join, and who has special powers in the channel.
Syntax
/mode <+/-flag> [parameter]
Parameters
flag
— The mode letter to set (+) or remove (-). See the list below.parameter
— Required for some modes (nickname for +o/+h/+v/+b, key for +k, number for +l/+j).
Channel Modes
+m
(moderated) — Only voiced (+v) users and operators can send messages.+i
(invite-only) — Users must be invited to join the channel.+t
(topic protected) — Only operators can change the channel topic.
+k <key>
(keyed) — Requires a password to join the channel.+l <number>
(user limit) — Sets the maximum number of users allowed in the channel.+n
(no external messages) — Only channel members can send messages to the channel.
+j <joins:seconds>
(join throttle) — Limits how quickly users can join (e.g., 3:10
= max 3 joins per 10 seconds).+K
(no knock) — Disables /knock
requests for this channel.
User Privilege Modes
+o <nick>
(operator) — Give or remove full operator status (can manage all modes).
+h <nick>
(half-operator) — Give or remove half-op status (can kick and set +v).
+v <nick>
(voice) — Give or remove voice (allows speaking in +m channels).
+b <nick>
(ban) — Ban or unban a user from the channel.
Rules & Limits
- Requires channel operator (@) or owner (~) status to set most modes
- Half-operators (%) can only set +v and -v
- Only owners can set +q (grant/revoke owner status)
- Use + to enable a mode, - to disable it
Examples
/mode +m /mode -m /mode +o Alice /mode -o Alice /mode +v Bob /mode +k secretpass /mode -k /mode +l 25 /mode +i /mode +b Troll /mode -b Troll