Introduction

Although Debian's IRC Channels can be accessed directly using IRC clients, they can also be accessed through Matrix using a variety of user interfaces. This page provides help in getting started using the Element web application to do so. Element is capable, easy to use, and does not require installing any software on your computer.

Create Account

First, visit https://app.element.io and click the Create Account button. The form includes a setting for where to host the account. Leave the default of matrix.org. The username you choose when creating this account will be the default for the username (a.k.a. "nick") shown to other users within the IRC rooms as you chat. The account creation process will email you a link that you will need to click to verify your email address and complete the process.

Register Your Nick

Many of Debian's IRC channels require that you go a step further and "register your nick" (nick name) which is your visible name to other users. If you fail to do this, then immediately after trying to join a room, you may be kicked out with the error code err_needreggednick. Your nick is registered by sending a message to an automated NickServ bot. Within the Element web application:

Eventually, when your nick registration times out or you are reconnecting, you will be required to re-verify your nick. This is done similarly to the register command, by sending a message to the NickServ bot in the form: identify password

For example: identify mypassword1

Of course, use the same password that you used above with the register command.

Join an IRC Channel

You can now join one or more IRC Channels (rooms):

The channel should now show up in the left sidebar and you can begin chatting using the Send a message... box at the bottom. Repeat the !join command for any additional channels you'd like to participate in.