🔐 Connecting to Restricted OFTC Channels via Matrix (Element)

This guide walks you through registering and authenticating your Matrix account with NickServ on OFTC, so you can access restricted channels via the Matrix IRC bridge.

✅ Overview

We're using the Matrix ↔ IRC bridge hosted on matrix.org to access OFTC (irc.oftc.net), where IRC channels appear in this format:

#_oftc_#<channel-name>:matrix.org

To join restricted channels, you need to:

Set your IRC nickname
Register it with NickServ
Authenticate with the bridge using !storepass

🔧 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. ✅ Set Your IRC Nickname

In Element Web:

Join the IRC bridge control room:
```
@oftc-irc:matrix.org
```
Send the following command to set your desired IRC nick:
```
!nick irc.oftc.net YourDesiredNick
```

Replace YourDesiredNick with the nickname you want to use on OFTC.

To validate and test, you can force a reconnect with:

!reconnect

2. ✉️ Register with NickServ

Now, register your nickname with OFTC’s NickServ.

Start a direct message with NickServ by opening a new DM with this Matrix ID:
```
@_oftc_NickServ:matrix.org
```

In that chat, send the following message:

REGISTER yourpassword youremail@example.com

You'll have to verify you're a human, and also you should receive a confirmation email from OFTC with instructions to verify the registration.

3. 🔐 Store Your NickServ Password

After confirming your registration, store your password with the Matrix bridge so it can auto-identify you when you connect.

Go back to the bridge control room:
```
@oftc-irc:matrix.org
```
Send:
```
!storepass irc.oftc.net yourpassword
```

Replace yourpassword with the one you used during registration.

4. 🎯 Join a Restricted Channel

You can now join channels like:

#_oftc_#<channel-name>:matrix.org

For example:

#_oftc_#linux-media:matrix.org

If the channel is invite-only or uses access control, you may still need to request access from a channel operator after authenticating.

The Ideas on Board oftc channel is restricted to members only. Before you attempt to join, ask someone in the team to add you:

From IRC:

/msg chanserv access ##iob add <newusernamehere> member

Once added as a member you can join the Ideas on Board IRC channel with:

/join #_oftc_##iob:matrix.org

✅ Check Your Identification Status

To confirm you're identified with NickServ, message it again with:

STATUS YourNick

2 (online, identified by password) seems to be a reasonable response.

ℹ️ Notes

Use irc.oftc.net (not oftc or oftc.org) in !nick and !storepass commands.
Always use the Matrix ID @_oftc_NickServ:matrix.org to talk to NickServ via Matrix.
Talk to the ChanServ with @_oftc_ChanServ:matrix.org
Join channels with #_oftc_#channel_name:matrix.org

Ideas on Board Handbook