<+Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
If you're already a well-versed IRC user, then point the client of your choice to irc.scpwiki.com (Ports 6660-6669 are available, as well as 6697 for SSL with SASL enabled) and join us in #site19 (you will need to register and identify before joining). Please proceed to the 'Rules and Guidelines' tab.
If none of that makes a bit of sense to you, please read these basics in their entirety before attempting to chat, because it probably will not work otherwise.
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) allows for discussions across multiple channels, which are prefixed with a #. For example, #football, #cats, and #techsupport would be topical channels people might congregate in. You can also have private, 1-on-1 conversations with people, and even create your own channels to discuss whatever you'd like.
On the "Click Here To Chat" tab, you'll see something that looks like this:
If you have never registered a SkipIRC account (which is entirely separate from Wikidot accounts), you will be required to do so before you can join our main channel. This is easy. Go ahead and hit Connect, you'll see something like this:
I've highlighted some relevant areas.
1.) Status Bar. All channels and private messages will show up here, and there are options and the leave/quit button on the right-hand side. The "SkipIRC" link is clickable and shows server information and important notices.
2.) Options. Customize the experience, add notifications, lots of little things like that.
3.) Help. This is specifically for help using the Lounge client.
4.) Mentions List. Click this for a time-ordered list of messages that included your nickname.
5.) Channel Options. This has different options depending on your abilities in the channel, and a different set of options if you're on the SkipIRC window.
6.) User List. Click this to pop out a new menu with the list of users in the channel. Some users have a prefix in front of them, they indicate a user's rank in the channel. They are ~ (owner), & (admin), @ (op), % (half-op), and + (voice). Different channels use these ranks differently. In #site19 and #site17, all users with a rank except + are chat staff (or bots that assist in performing channel duties). Users with the rank of + in #site17 are not staff, but are trusted non-staff users that can reliably give good information on basic questions.
7.) File upload. You can attach small files to share with the channels.
8.) Input box. This is where you type your messages, as well as commands like /register and /identify.
9.) Chat window. The screenshot above shows what a channel will normally look like on joining, showing the topic, then a list of users.
10.) Channel Bar. This will show the current channel as well as the topic.
Channels
We make use of four primary channels here. Most channels require registration; for more information, see that tab.
- #site19 - For general discussion.
- #site17 - For getting help from staff. This channel does not require registration.
- #thecritters - For giving and receiving critique on drafts and ideas.
- #stormofbrains - Joint brainstorming channel with discord for the development of ideas and concepts.
There are also official channels for staff teams:
- #site11 - Technical Staff
- #site34 - Licensing Team
- #site77 - Maintenance and Ancillary Staff Team (MAST)
- #site81 - Community Outreach
- #workshop - Staff and community-led seminars and workshops.
To join a new channel, it's as simple as /join [channel] (this can be entered in any chat window). E.g., /join #thecritters will take you to #thecritters. (This can also be shortened to /j #thecritters. You can leave a channel with /part #channel in any window, or /part from the window of the channel you want to part.
You can double-click a name in the user list to begin a private message conversation with that person, and all your channels and conversations are available in the status bar.
Introduction to Nickname Registration On IRC
IRC was not designed with a concept of persistent nickname ownership. This feature is provided by NickServ, a service that accepts registrations and enforces user ownership of nicknames. If a user attempts to connect with (or switch to) a registered nickname and is unable to provide the correct password, NickServ will change that user's nickname to a guest nick and temporarily block use of the registered nickname.
Most channels on SkipIRC require users to be logged in using a registered nickname. Registration only needs to be performed once. After that, you'll be able to log in using that nickname.
Registration
The use of disposable email services for nick registration is strictly forbidden, and will result in automatic removal from the network.
If you're using The Lounge, click SkipIRC at the top to switch to the server window, then type in:
/register PASSWORD EMAIL
This will be the password you use to log on to the chat in the future, so make sure it's something you will remember. When you're ready, hit Enter.
If you did everything right, you'll see a message appear from NickServ (Nickname Services) that reads, An email containing nickname activation instructions has been sent to (email) If you do not complete registration within one day, your nickname will expire.. This can take a couple of minutes to arrive, and has been known to end up in spam or junk mail occasionally, so please check those folders. If your mail provider has a search feature, try searching for SkipIRC. When you find it and confirm the verification code as instructed, your nick will be registered! Please note registrations expire after one year (365 days) of not having identified to that nick.
(If you're using our default client, The Lounge, this section will definitely not apply to you. If you are having issues on that client with command inputs, please be sure you are using the proper syntax. Ask for assistance in #site17 if issues persist.)
Please note: when attempting to interact with SkipIRC's Services, some of the more basic clients (an example being Pidgin) and especially older command line clients, commands such as
/ns,
/identify, and
/register will not work. If your client is incompatible with any of these commands, your client will respond with an error message along the lines of:
"That command doesn't work on this protocol."
This issue results from the fact that some clients will only accept a limited set of IRC commands. With that in mind, if you encounter such an issue, you may instead send the command like you would a PM (Private Message).
Instead of using /register PASSWORD EMAIL to begin registering your account with NickServ, you will need to send the command as /query NickServ REGISTER PASSWORD EMAIL. This goes for any other command used to interact with our Services. In essence, any command on these sorts of clients should be formatted as this:
/query [SERVICE_NAME] [COMMAND] [PARAMETERS]
With that said, you should be good to proceed through the registration process. Be sure to keep this fix in mind.
Example:
Now that you've registered, you will be able to join channels such as #site19. The next time you connect, you can log into the nick you registered with NickServ.
Logging In
The short version, for users of The Lounge: Before you connect, check "I have a password" in The Lounge. Enter your password in the field that appears.
The simplest but most error-prone way to log in is using the identify command. This is done by entering:
/identify PASSWORD
Enter that the same way you put in your registration. The downsides of this method are that it's easy to accidentally reveal your password if you aren't careful and that it must be performed after you've already connected.
Logging In Securely with SASL
SkipIRC recommends using SASL, a modern IRC feature that allows passwords to be specified at the time of conection. The method for specifying a password via SASL differs from one client to another, but generally speaking it's set as a per-network option with a description of "Use SASL", "Username with Password", or something along those lines. Your username will be your registered nickname, and your password will be swordfish the password you chose while registering that nick. If you have a choice of authentication types, select "plain."
Help, I can't switch to my nick!
If you've been having difficulty logging in, you might see a message like Services reserved nickname: Registered nickname when you attempt to use your nickname. To resolve this, you'll first need to let NickServ know it's you, even though you're using another nick. If you haven't already identified to NickServ, type:
/identify REGISTERED_NICK PASSWORD
where REGISTERED_NICK is the nick that you'd like to switch to. Next, type
/ns release REGISTERED_NICK
to tell NickServ that it can stop blocking all use of that nickname. You can then type
/nick REGISTERED_NICK
You don't need to /identify again this session. However, please use SASL if possible, so this doesn't happen.
Help, I forgot my password!
To have password reset instructions sent to the email address you used when registering your nick, type:
/ns sendpass REGISTERED_NICK
and follow the instructions in the email that was sent to you. If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account and you've forgotten your password, chat staff with IRC operator privileges may be able to assist.
Chat Guidelines
- Age: You must be 18 years of age and a legal adult in your jurisdiction to be on the SkipIRC network. All users are expected to behave and express themselves at a maturity fitting those ages. (This doesn't mean you can't joke around!)
- Topics: Discussion about SCP ideas and drafts take priority. Any NSFW (Not Safe For Work) links must be tagged as NSFW (check below for examples). No illegal activity is permitted, period.
- Reporting: If you need a chat operator urgently, you can often get our attention by saying ops and we will be notified. Abusing this ping will result in disciplinary action.
- Pinging Ops: Saying the word ops will ping the entire operator team. Please only do this if you need an operator and there is not one actively chatting. Abuse of this will result in disciplinary action. Only users with registered nicks are able to ping ops.
- Requesting help from staff: Staff members are happy to help you with issues related to using the SCP Wiki and IRC chat. If you do request help, *please* be patient and don't leave while staff members are assisting you.
- VPNs and Bouncers: (If you don't know what a VPN or a bouncer is, this does not apply to you.) The use of VPNs to connect to SkipIRC is not allowed due to their potential for ban evasion. We provide SSL connectivity to ensure users' privacy. Bouncers are allowed by prior arrangement with staff. If you would like to use a bouncer, please ask staff in #site17.
- Use of disposable email addresses: As disposable email addresses have generally been used by trolls and other disruptive users, we don't allow them for nick registration. Your email address will be kept confidential and only used for nick verification and in the event we need to contact you for an important reason; we don't send bulk mailings to registered nicks.
Chat Nicknames
- To change your nickname, enter
into the chat box, where
[newnick] is your desired nick.
We forbid certain kinds of nicknames in our channels:
- No nicks with "SCP" or "Class D" or an SCP number.
- No nicks with a Foundation character that isn't yours (like Dr. Bright, Dr. Sophia Light, Able, or Alto Clef).
- No nicks saying you're official website or chat staff (like 'admin', 'administrator', or 'operator').
- No nicks saying you're in charge at the fictional Foundation, or other fictional groups on our website (like Senior [anything], MTF Leader, O5, Director, Executive, or Overseer).
- No nicks with profanity (swear words) or offensive content. If you have one of these nicks, we may kick you. Please change your nick.
You can, however, have nicks like "DoctorX", "ResearcherX", and "AgentX", because these names don't say you're in charge at the Foundation. If you're not sure, ask a staff member. Do not use a nick that is only the title (For example just "Doctor").
Behavior
It is the responsibility of each chat user to know what is or is not acceptable behavior.
The following are some specific things to avoid. This doesn't include every possible offense and if you're not sure whether you're about to break a rule, ask rather than finding out the hard way.
- Bigotry: Bigotry will not be tolerated. This includes bigotry based on race, nationality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Users expressing bigoted views may be permanently banned without prior warning.
- Trolling: Acting deliberately inflammatory. If you're doing it, you know you're doing it. If ops believe you're trolling and you don't think so, then you need to rethink your behavior. This includes targeting people or a group of people based on their gender, sexuality, race, etc.
- Harassment: Asking for pictures, pressuring discussion of sex lives, etc. PMing or repeatedly talking to a user who has asked you to stop talking to them. You can be banned from the SkipIRC network altogether for this.
- Creepiness: Making others uncomfortable by behaving in a way that would be socially inappropriate if done in public.
- Almost anything involving rape.
- Spamming. You can be banned from the SkipIRC network altogether for this.
- Brigades: Do not use #Site19 as a base for bothering people on other sites. No one cares. Do not use #Site19 to get an SCP you hate downvoted. You'll be banned.
- Being Annoying/Disruptive: If an OP says you're being annoying, listen and try to improve. Being annoying isn't entirely against the rules, but you can still be banned for it if it gets bad enough. Example offenses here include (but are not limited to) derailing chat, over-proselytizing your opinions, being incoherent, antagonizing others, roleplaying, backseat modding, typing in "zalgo" text, and the use of slurs. This includes racist, sexist, and sexual-oriented slurs, as well as slurs and sayings targeting the mentally disabled or differently abled such as retard, spaz, or ree.
- Pronounbot-fuckery: Adding joke pronouns to NickServ is one of the quickest ways to earn a one-week ban. See the "Pronouns" tab for more information.
- Sockpuppeting and ban evasion: You can, within reason, have multiple chat nicks, but you can't pretend to be your brother just because you did something stupid. Ban evasion is obviously not allowed. Users should note that frequently attempting to join the chat during a ban might be viewed as de facto ban evasion, if you do it enough to be disruptive.
NSFW
First, don't link outright porn.
Tag all these kinds of images.
- Nudity, of a non-pornographic nature. Tag "NSFW".
- Extreme violence and gore. Tag "NSFW".
- Jump scares, screamers, flashing lights. For these, you must always identify what they are when you link them. This is because we have members with epilepsy, and this can trigger seizures.
Discipline & Banning
Channel operators (ops) have the authority to dictate the course of conversation. Operator orders are to be followed at all times.
Operators have the authority to warn and ban users. Minor or accidental offenses may result in multiple warnings or several shorter bans. Especially bad offenses may result in a ban of any length.
Respect chat operator decisions, even if you disagree with them. If you feel that a decision was in error, you may protest the action in the Help Channel, #Site17 or in a private message to a chat operator. Generally, you should discuss the situation with a different chat operator, especially if you were the one warned or banned.
The final authorities on disciplinary matters or rule disputes are the Chat Administrators (listed in the "Staff" tab.) Please report any serious misuses of authority to them.
Please also note that while banned users may enter 17 to appeal or ask genuine questions unrelated to their ban, they may not remain in the channel once their questions or appeal have been handled.
Operators may decide to follow or ignore this at their discretion. It's only listed here for reference.
- Warning. A warning may involve asking a person officially to stop doing something, or it may be a kick, or it may be an immediate 'warning ban' of any length between 5 minutes and 2 days.
- Week Ban.
- Month Ban.
- Year Ban.
- Permanent Ban.
Bans will generally appear in the Chat Users Forum on the 05 Command site.
SkipIRC now has support for pronouns and gender identity information. This feature is exclusive to SkipIRC and was written by 
Kufat; any issues should be reported to him.
Setting pronouns and gender
Once you've registered your nick, you can set your gender with /ns gender and pronouns with /ns pronouns. These will be visible to all users. Use of this feature is optional.
The /ns gender command takes any number of words in a freeform format, e.g. if ExampleUser uses the command /ns gender masculine non-binary would be displayed as "ExampleUser identifies as masculine non-binary". You can use one word or a phrase as you prefer. To clear your gender info, use the command /ns gender without any arguments.
Setting pronouns is accomplished similarly. /ns pronouns takes a list of one or more pronouns, separated by spaces (not commas or slashes). There is also support for accepted and unaccepted pronouns. For example, the masculine non-binary user described above might input:
/ns pronouns they them theirs
/ns pronouns accepted he him his
/ns pronouns unaccepted she her hers
which would then be displayed as:
ExampleUser uses these pronouns: they, them, theirs
ExampleUser accepts these pronouns: he, him, his
ExampleUser does NOT accept these pronouns: she, her, hers
Note that commas are displayed in the output; do not type them into the NickServ command. Additionally, subsequent pronoun commands will overwrite the previous value rather than add to it. You can clear each type of pronoun by typing /ns pronouns, /ns pronouns accepted, and/or /ns pronouns unaccepted respectively.
Inputting joke pronouns ('helicopter', 'meme', etc.) is a tempbannable offense, usually one week to start. Don't do it: it's offensive to many and irritating to most. This is a very firmly enforced rule.
Viewing other users' pronoun/gender info
The easiest way to view other users' information is with the /whois command, e.g. /whois Kufat. Some clients including Mibbit are unable to display extra whois information. If your client has this issue, you may also use /ns info to see a user's configured pronoun and gender details, e.g. /ns info Kufat.
Click here to open a new chat session using The Lounge.
The Lounge, being our default web client, is a free and open source project developed by a third party, with a special installation hosted specially for SkipIRC. Our instance is owned and hosted by SCP Wiki staff member 
Hexick, with administrative assistance from SkipIRC's owner, Kufat. For any issues or suggestions regarding SkipIRC's The Lounge, please contact either of those two for help. If The Lounge is offline, please use Mibbit for immediate emergency access.
Other standalone IRC clients can be used to connect to SkipIRC. Chat staff probably cannot help you with client-specific questions or issues. Some options you may want to check out include…
| Platform |
Client |
| Windows |
HexChat, Pidgin, mIRC |
| Mac |
Colloquy, Adium |
| Linux |
XChat, Konversation, Pidgin |
| iOS |
Colloquy, Mutter, LimeChat |
| Android |
Revolution IRC, AndroIRC, IRC for Android |
| Web |
IRCCloud, Mibbit, The Lounge |
| Other |
Wikipedia |
SkipIRC is a small IRC network that was originally founded by the SCP Foundation and is now administered by Kufat and a staff containing SCP Foundation staff, retired staff, and community members. We have written several guides for users to cover the new features of SkipIRC.
SkipIRC - User Guide
SkipIRC - Op Guide
SkipIRC employs standard security measures such as port scanning, open proxy detection, and checking client IP addresses against DNS blacklists. Client IP addresses are masked for normal display purposes and are only visible to network-level staff. While staff members monitor connections, nick registrations, etc., they do not (and cannot) snoop on private conversations or channels that they are not in. SkipIRC staff coordinate with Wiki admins as needed.
The network currently consists of two primary servers, plus an IRC services instance:
| Server |
Hostname |
Location |
| Plot |
plot.jp.irc.scpwiki.com |
Tokyo, Japan |
| Setting |
setting.nj.us.irc.scpwiki.com |
New Jersey, United States |
| Conflict |
conflict.irc.scpwiki.com |
IRC services (internal use only) |
If you have any questions about SkipIRC, please contact Kufat at ten.tafuk|tafuk#ten.tafuk|tafuk or on SkipIRC itself in #site17.
