Conversations

Relay combines normal IRC channels and private messages with stored history, search, replies, reactions, link previews, typing indicators, and an activity feed. Availability depends on the network's IRCv3 support and the instance's storage settings.

Compose and find messages

Use the formatting toolbar for IRC-compatible styles and colors. Typing / opens command suggestions; Tab cycles forward and Shift+Tab cycles backward. Autocomplete also covers nicknames and channels.

Choose Search messages in this channel, enter text, and select a suggestion or submit the full search. Search requires structured storage and account logging; text-only logs do not qualify. Selecting a result opens the conversation at that message. Replies and reactions may be limited when connecting through some bouncers; see Compatibility and limitations.

Activity

Under Settings > Chat, enable Activity for all buffers, favorites, or a custom set. Directed activity can include mentions and replies separately. Activity requires structured message storage and account logging; muted buffers and the partyline are excluded. Open Activity from the sidebar after enabling it. It does not reconstruct activity from text logs.

Message presentation

Chat settings control timestamps, MOTD visibility, link and media previews, speech bubbles, status-message density, fenced-code highlighting, typing indicators, and automatic away messages. Server policy can disable some media behavior.

Use a conversation's context menu to mute it, change notification behavior, or configure IRC encryption where available.

Replies and threads

Use Reply on a message, compose your response, then send. The View thread control on a message with replies opens that thread. Stored thread lookup requires structured history; reply/reaction interoperability depends on message IDs and network support. Local fallback IDs keep some interactions usable inside Relay but are not resolvable by other IRC clients. Use the message menu for sharing, rather than the conversation menu.

See commands and shortcuts for search and navigation keys.