Frequently Asked Questions ========================== How do I migrate my settings from XChat? ---------------------------------------- - Unix 1. Copy ``~/.xchat2`` to ``~/.config/hexchat`` 2. Rename ``~/.config/hexchat/xchat.conf`` to ``~/.config/hexchat/hexchat.conf`` 3. Rename ``~/.config/hexchat/servlist_.conf`` to ``~/.config/hexchat/servlist.conf`` 4. Rename ``~/.config/hexchat/xchatlogs`` to ``~/.config/hexchat/logs`` 5. Move all your 3rd party addons (plugins/scripts) to ``~/.config/hexchat/addons`` - Windows 1. Copy ``%APPDATA%\X-Chat 2`` to ``%APPDATA%\HexChat`` 2. Rename ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\xchat.conf`` to ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\hexchat.conf`` 3. Rename ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\servlist_.conf`` to ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\servlist.conf`` 4. Rename ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\xchatlogs`` to ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\logs`` 5. Move all your 3rd party addons (plugins/scripts) to ``%APPDATA%\HexChat\addons`` Note that copying a colors.conf without a pevents.conf may result in theming issues. How do I autoconnect and join a channel when HexChat loads? ----------------------------------------------------------- In the Network list select the Network you want to auto-connect to and click Edit and turn ON the "Auto connect to this network at startup" checkbox. List channels in the favorites list to join them on connect. How do I get Hexchat to reconnect after my computer wakes up from being in sleep/hibernate mode? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Try the following command from a chat window: /set net_ping_timeout 31 Why does HexChat join channels before identifying? -------------------------------------------------- There are 3 ways to authenticate before joining a channel, all are network dependant but nickserv is common: 1. Use a Nickserv password and increase the delay before joining in :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Advanced` 2. Use SASL (same password as nickserv and your username) which can be enabled in :menuselection:`HexChat --> Network list --> Edit` (2.9.4+). 3. Use a `client cert `_ which requires the most setup. How do I change what browser is opened? --------------------------------------- - Windows: :menuselection:`Control Panel --> Default Programs` - Unix: - Gnome 3: :menuselection:`System Settings --> Details --> Default Applications` - XFCE 4: :menuselection:`Settings Manager --> Prefered Applications` If these do not work or you do not use a DE use the command :command:`gvfs-mime`: gvfs-mime --set x-scheme-handler/http firefox.desktop If you hate gvfs you can manually edit *~/.local/share/applications/mimeapps.list* to include: x-scheme-handler/http=firefox.desktop; Don't forget to do the same for *https*. Now upon launching it will use the *Exec* line in their desktop file replacing *%u* with the url. If you get a blank window this is where the problem is. Alternatively you can add an `Url Handler `_ How do I connect through a proxy? --------------------------------- Go to the menus, :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Network Setup` and fill in the requested information there. Authentication (using a username and password) is only supported for HTTP and Socks5. For information on Tor see our `tips page `_ How do I show @ and + in front of nicknames that are Op and Voice when they talk? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To display @ and + characters next to nicknames as they talk, do the following: In the menus, open up :menuselection:`Settings --> Text Events`. Find the *Channel Message* event in the list. The $3 code can be inserted to print the user's mode-character (e.g. @ or +). For example, you might want to change the default: %C18%H<%H$4$1%H>%H%O$t$2 To %C18%H<%H$4$3$1%H>%H%O$t$2 Don't forget to **press Enter**, so the changes take effect in the list at the top of the window. How do I set different ban types? --------------------------------- 1. Right click the nickname in the userlist, and choose a ban type from the "Kick/Ban" submenu. 2. You can also do it manually: > /ban nick bantype where the bantype is a number from 0 to 3. 3. Or set the default with: /set irc\_ban\_type bantype sets the default ban type to use for all bans. The different types are: - 0 = \*!\ *@*.host - 1 = \*!\*@domain - 2 = \*!\ *user@*.host - 3 = \*!\*user@domain Why does the timestamp overlap some nicknames? ---------------------------------------------- Some networks allow very long nicknames (up to 32 letters). It can be annoying to have the separator bar move too far to the right, just for one long nick. Therefore, it has a set limit for the distance it will move to the right. If you use a large font, you may need to adjust this distance. It is set in pixels, for example: /set text\_max\_indent 320 Once you adjust this setting high enough, overlapping timestamps and nicknames should not occur. The adjustment will not take effect immediately, a restart may be needed. How do I turn on Conference mode where I will not see join or part messages? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Right-click on the tab you want to change. In the submenu of the channel name, there's a toggle-item "Show join/part messages", simply turn this off. If you want to turn this option on globally go to :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Advanced`. Then all channels you join **after** setting this will start with "Show join/part messages" turned off. Why doesn't DCC send work behind a router (IPNat/ADSL)? ------------------------------------------------------- If you are behind a IP-NAT or ADSL router, you will most likely have an address like 192.168.0.1. This address is not usable on the Internet, and must be translated. When offering a DCC file, HexChat will tell the receiver your address. If it says 192.168.0.1, the receiver will not be able to connect. One way to make it send your "real" address is to enable the "Get my IP from IRC Server" option in HexChat. This option is available in :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> File Transfers`. When you turn it ON, you will have to re-login to the server before it'll take effect. You will also need to forward some ports for use in DCC send. You may pick almost any port range you wish, for example, in HexChat set: First DCC send port: 4990 Last DCC send port: 5000 This will allow you to send up to ten files at the same time, which should be plenty for most people. Lastly, configure your router/modem to forward ports 4990-5000 to your PC's address. You'll have to consult your router/modem's manual on how to do this. How do I execute multiple commands in one line? ----------------------------------------------- There are three ways to do this: - /LOAD -e , where is a full pathname to a file containing commands on each line. - Separate your commands with CTRL-SHIFT-u-a. This will appear as a little box with numbers on it (or an invisible character). - You can create two UserCommands, with the same name, and then execute the UserCommand. It will be executed in the same order as it's written in the UserCommands GUI. I get this error: "Unknown file type abc.yz. Maybe you need to install the Perl or Python plugin?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you get this error when trying to load a Perl or Python script, it means the plugin for running those scripts isn't loaded. - The Perl and Python plugins come with HexChat in the same archive. - During ./configure, it will check for Perl and Python libraries and headers, you should check if it failed there. - The addons directory can be found by issuing the shell command > hexchat -p - All *.so files are auto-loaded at startup (*.dll on Windows). - If you downloaded a binary package, maybe the packager decided to exclude the Perl or Python plugins. How do I play sound files on certain events? -------------------------------------------- In the menus, go to: :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Sound`. Select the event you want to make a sound on, then type in a sound filename (or use the Browse button). How do I auto-load scripts at startup? -------------------------------------- The root of your HexChat config is: - Windows: %APPDATA%\\HexChat - Unix/Linux: ~/.config/hexchat Referred to as from now. HexChat automatically loads, at startup: - /addons/\*.pl Perl scripts - /addons/\*.py Python scripts - /addons/\*.dll Plugins (Windows) - /addons/\*.so Plugins (Unix) How do I minimize HexChat to the System Tray (Notification Area)? ----------------------------------------------------------------- On both Unix and Windows there is an included tray plugin. To enable minimizing to tray on exit go to :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Alerts`. How do I start HexChat with...? ------------------------------- To see the various launch options such as setting configdir or minimize level run: hexchat --help Where are the log files saved to? --------------------------------- - Unix ~/.config/hexchat/logs - Windows %APPDATA%\\HexChat\\logs How do I rotate log files every so often? ----------------------------------------- By default settings, no rotation occurs, your log files will just keep getting larger. Go to :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Logging` and change the log filename to any one of these: %Y-%m-%d/%n-%c.log -> 2006-12-30/FreeNode-#channel.log %n/%Y-%m-%d/%c.log -> FreeNode/2006-12-30/#channel.log %n/%c.log -> FreeNode/#channel.log (no rotation) %Y, %m and %d represents the current year, month and day respectively. %n is the network name, e.g. "FreeNode" or "UnderNet", and finally, %c is the channel. In these examples, a new log filename and folder would be created after midnight. The format can also be a full path if you want to save logs to an external drive for example. For the full list of formatting codes, please refer to the `Unix `_ or `Windows `_ documentation on `strftime`. Where did the Real Name field go? --------------------------------- The Real name field used to be accessible via the Network List, which is the very first screen that a new user sees. Newcomers, who are not familiar with IRC terminology, might be afraid of their personal data. In order to avoid alienating such people, we decided to remove this setting from the Network List. Now you can access this setting under :menuselection:`Settings --> Preferences --> Advanced` instead, or if you prefer the command line, you can use the following command: /set irc\_real\_name Stewie Griffin Why doesn't HexChat beep with beep sound alerts checked? -------------------------------------------------------- On Windows, HexChat is using the `Instant Message Notification` system sound for making beep alerts, and if it's unspecified, it attempts to produce a simple beep effect. In case you don't hear beeps when alerts occur, you need to set this system sound to the desired sound effect. To do this, go to :menuselection:`Control Panel --> Hardware and Sound --> Change system sounds`. .. figure:: http://i.imgur.com/1qBthMG.png How do I type Unicode characters? --------------------------------- Press `Ctrl + Shift + U` at once. When you release the keys, `u` will appear in your input box. .. figure:: http://i.imgur.com/ztvoCwP.png Now you can enter the 4-digit code of the desired glyph. When you're done, just press `Space` or `Return`, and the glyph will appear as well. .. figure:: http://i.imgur.com/Sh8QMXy.png