What is NickServ?

The NickServ, nickname service bot, is used to register and protect user nicknames. NickServ allows you to "register" a nickname and prevent others from using it.

Using Nickserv...

The following commands allow for registration and maintenance of nicknames; to use them, connect to the network and type /msg NickServ <command>.

Command	Description	Syntax
REGISTER	Register a nickname	REGISTER <password>
DROP	Cancel the registration of a nickname	DROP <nickname> <password>
IDENTIFY	Identify yourself with your password	IDENTIFY <password>
ACCESS	Modify the list of authorized addresses	ACCESS <ADD/DEL/LIST> <mask>
SET	Set various options for your nickname
LIST	Display list of nicks matching a pattern
RECOVER	Kill another user who has taken your nick
RELEASE	Regain custody of your nick after RECOVER
GHOST	Kill a ghosted nickname
INFO	Get information for a nickname
LINK	Link your nickname to another
UNLINK	UnLink your nickname
HELP	Get additional information on available commands

For more information on a specific command, while connected to the network, type /msg NickServ help <command>.

The REGISTER Command

Syntax: REGISTER <password>

This enables you to register your nickname with a password so only you can use it. Please try to use obscure passwords that cannot be easily guessed. Passwords ARE case sensitive. Once you have registered a nickname, you can use the SET and ACCESS commands to configure it.

Please IDENTIFY yourself to nickserv when you connect to the network. Many clients will allow you to automate this function. If you don't IDENTIFY to NickServ for a period of 60 days or more, your nickname will be considered to be expired and it may be dropped.

The DROP Command

Syntax: DROP <nickname> <password>

DROP allows you to cancel the registration of your nickname, thus allowing others to re-register it.

The IDENTIFY Command

Syntax: IDENTIFY <password>

Most commands require that you identify yourself, in order to use them. Also, nicknames which have kill protection will be killed if the user has not identified within one minute. If SET AUTOMASK is ON, and you IDENTIFY from a host which is not on your ACCESS list, the new hostmask will automatically be added to it.

The ACCESS Command

Syntax: ACCESS <ADD/DEL/LIST> <mask>

The ACCESS command allows you to modify the list of recognized hostmasks for your nickname. If you use a hostmask that is not on your ACCESS list, you must IDENTIFY with NickServ.

Examples:
ACCESS ADD *wnder@*underworld.net Gives users matching *wnder@*underworld.net permission to use your nickname.
ACCESS DEL *wnder@*underworld.net Opposite of previous command.
ACCESS LIST Displays list of authorized hostmasks for your nickname.

Type: /msg NickServ HELP ACCESS <option> for more information

The SET Command

Syntax: SET <option> [parameters]

Configures various nickname options.

Option	Description	Syntax
KILL	Turn kill protection on or off	SET KILL <ON/OFF/IMMED>
AUTOMASK	Auto add new hostmasks on IDENTIFY	SET AUTOMASK <ON/OFF>
PASSWORD	Reset your nickname password	SET PASSWORD <newpass>
SECURE	Turn nickname security on or off	SET SECURE <ON/OFF>
UNSECURE	Set nickname security very low	SET UNSECURE <ON/OFF>
PRIVATE	Hide nickname information from LISTs
MEMOS	Allow memos sent to your nick
NOTIFY	Turn notification of new memos on/off
SIGNON	Turn notification of memos on signon on/off
EMAIL	Associate an email address with your nick
URL	Associate a url with your nick
HIDE	Hide information in your INFO reply
UIN	Set ICQ UIN for this user
GSM	Set number of mobile phone for this user
PHONE	Set the phone for this user
UNFILTERED	Allow messages from unregistered users
MASTER	Reset the master nickname for your link

Type /msg NickServ HELP SET option for more information on a specific option.

The LIST Command

The RECOVER Command

The RELEASE Command

The GHOST Command

The INFO Command

The LINK Command

The UNLINK Command

The HELP Command

More Information...

If you need more information, have a look at the FAQ on the freenode site found here.