= Can I use bitlbee to connect to IRC? =

== Short answer ==

No. Go away.

== Long answer ==

Libpurple has an IRC module, but using it is not recommended at all.

Partial list of things that are missing compared to a real client (as of bitlbee 3.4.2)

 * The following actions are not possible:
    * set modes
    * ban users
    * whois
    * ctcp
    * send raw commands
    * send notices
    * change your nick
 * The following events appear as plaintext messages:
    * modes
    * topic changes
    * kicks
    * notices
    * errors
 * User prefixes are not visible (@%+)
 * Actions are sent as messages starting with "/me"
 * No connection progress messages (it drops all login notices, motd, etc)
 * The list of names is sent as a bunch of joins after your real client thinks it joined to a channel with only two nicks
 * IRC colors are stripped.
 * Quits and kicks are shown as parts
 * Quits, kicks and parts don't show the message
 * Hostmasks are not shown
 * Nickserv/chanserv notices are sent as private messages (or messages that ping you in `&bitlbee`)
 * Sending private messages to nicks outside of a channel requires adding them to your contact list (this includes nickserv/chanserv/etc)
 * These "Local contacts" are not saved.

We have no plans to improve any of this unless it also applies to other protocols, and we won't provide support for any issues that only affect this protocol.

=== Adding the account ===

If you understand all of this and still wish to use it, see HowtoPurple and add the account like this in &bitlbee:

{{{
account add irc nickname@irc.example.net
}}}

=== Joining channels ===

Do this in &bitlbee:

{{{
chat add irc #channel
}}}

Then /join #channel

=== Sending private messages to users who are not in a channel ===

Do this in &bitlbee:

{{{
add irc nickname
}}}

Then /query nickname