Optional: Join an IRC Room

The Matrix community maintains bridges to most major IRC networks. You can use the same Matrix account and client to join IRC channels as well as Zuul’s Matrix Room. You will benefit from the persistent connection and history features as well. Follow the instructions below to join an IRC channel. The example below is for the #opendev channel on OFTC, but the process is similar for other channels or networks.

Click the plus icon next to the Home space on the left of the screen, then click Join public room in the dropdown that appears.

../_images/account-rooms-dropdown.png

A popup dialog will appear where you can enter the name of the room to join. IRC channels are bridged to matrix with a special room name. OFTC channels are prefixed with #_oftc_ and suffixed with :matrix.org. To join the #opendev IRC channel, enter #_oftc_#opendev:matrix.org into the text field.

../_images/account-rooms-opendev.png

There will be no search results; an unfortunate consequence of one of the anti-spam measures necessary on IRC. Disregard that and hit enter or click Join #oftc_#opendev:matrix.org, and you will join the room.

If this is your first time joining an OFTC channel, you will also receive an invitation to join the OFTC IRC Bridge status room.

../_images/account-rooms-invite.png

Accept the invitation.

../_images/account-rooms-accept.png

This is a private control channel between you and the system that operates the OFTC bridge. Here you can perform some IRC commands such as changing your nickname and setting up nick registration. That is out of scope for this HOWTO, but advanced IRC users may be interested in doing so.

You may repeat this procedure for any other IRC channels on the OFTC, Freenode, or libera.chat networks.