target audience

NetIRC2 is an open-source, asynchronous .NET client library designed to easily build Internet Relay Chat (IRC) bots and custom chat clients. It provides full support for modern asynchronous programming patterns and synchronization contexts, making it highly responsive for Windows applications and background automation services.

If you are looking at a beginner’s guide to get started with it, the workflow typically breaks down into installation, initial configuration, event handling, and channel interaction. 🚀 Step 1: Installation

To add NetIRC2 to your C# or .NET project, you install it via the NuGet package manager. Run the following command in your Package Manager Console: Install-Package NetIrc2 Use code with caution.

Alternatively, you can pull modern forks directly from repositories like GitHub which offer upgraded support for modern frameworks like .NET 5/6/8 and additional features like WHOIS commands. ⚙️ Step 2: Establish a Connection

To build a basic IRC bot or client, you instantiate the IrcClient object, configure your network details (server address, port, SSL), and connect asynchronously.

using NetIrc2; class Program { static async Task Main(string[] args) { // 1. Initialize the client var client = new IrcClient(); // 2. Define the server details (e.g., Libera Chat) var connectionInfo = new IrcConnectionInfo { Hostname = “irc.libera.chat”, Port = 6667, // Use 6697 for SSL/TLS Proxy = null }; // 3. Connect to the server await client.ConnectAsync(connectionInfo); } } Use code with caution. 🔑 Step 3: Set User Identity & Join Channels

Once the connection is established, you must register your user details (nickname and username) before you can join any channels.

// Define client identity var identity = new IrcUserIdentity { Nickname = “MyFriendlyBot”, Username = “bot_user”, RealName = “NetIRC2 Beginner Bot” }; // Authenticate with the server await client.LogInAsync(identity); // Join a target channel await client.JoinAsync(“#test-channel”); Use code with caution. 📩 Step 4: Handle Events (Reading & Replying to Messages)

NetIRC2 relies heavily on event handlers to let your application know when things happen, such as receiving a private message, channel text, or user notices.

// Subscribe to the message received event client.GotMessage += OnMessageReceived; … private static async void OnMessageReceived(object sender, IrcEventArgs e) { var client = (IrcClient)sender; // Check if the message is standard text in a channel if (e.Data is IrcChannelMessage msg) { Console.WriteLine($“[{msg.Channel}] {msg.User.Nickname}: {msg.Text}”); // Simple trigger command if (msg.Text.Equals(“!ping”, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)) { // Reply back to the channel await client.MessageAsync(msg.Channel, “Pong!”); } } } Use code with caution. 🛑 Step 5: Clean Up and Close

When shutting down your bot or exiting the application, you should cleanly leave your channels and close the connection.

// Part from channels await client.PartAsync(“#test-channel”, “Goodbye!”); // Disconnect from server safely await client.DisconnectAsync(); Use code with caution. If you’d like to tailor your setup further, let me know:

What type of application are you building? (e.g., a Twitch bot, a private server tool, a GUI chat client?)

Do you need assistance setting up SSL/TLS encrypted connections?

Are there specific commands or automation triggers you want your bot to perform? NetIrc2 1.0.0 – NuGet