path: root/doc/en/weechat_faq.en.adoc

= WeeChat FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
:author: Sébastien Helleu
:email: flashcode@flashtux.org
:lang: en
:toc: macro
:sectnums:
:docinfo1:


This document is written for WeeChat versions ≥ 0.3.0 but should preferably be
used with latest stable version of WeeChat.

toc::[]


[[general]]
== General

[[weechat_name]]
=== Where does the name "WeeChat" come from?

"Wee" is a recursive acronym and stands for "Wee Enhanced Environment".
So complete name is "Wee Enhanced Environment for Chat".

"Wee" also means "very small" (and yes, there is other meaning, but it does not
apply to WeeChat!).

[[why_choose_weechat]]
=== Why choose WeeChat? X-Chat and Irssi are so good...

Because WeeChat is very light and brings innovating features.

More info on this page: https://weechat.org/about/features

[[compilation_install]]
== Compilation / install

[[gui]]
=== I heard about many GUIs for WeeChat. How can I compile/use them?

Some remote GUIs are available, see the links on features page:
https://weechat.org/about/features

[[compile_git]]
=== I can't compile WeeChat after cloning git repository, why?

The recommended way to compile WeeChat is with cmake.

If you're compiling with autotools (and not cmake), check that you have latest
version of autoconf and automake.

The other way is to install the "devel package", which needs less dependencies.
This package is built almost every day using git repository. Note that this
package may not correspond exactly to git base and that it's less convenient
than git cloning for installing updates.

[[compile_osx]]
=== How can I install WeeChat on OS X?

It is recommended to use http://brew.sh/[Homebrew], you can get help with:

----
brew info weechat
----

You can install WeeChat with this command:

----
brew install weechat --with-aspell --with-curl --with-python --with-perl --with-ruby --with-lua --with-guile
----

[[lost]]
=== I've launched WeeChat, but I'm lost, what can I do?

For help you can type `/help`. For help about a command, type `/help command`.
Keys and commands are listed in documentation.

It's recommended for new users to read the quickstart guide:
https://weechat.org/doc

[[display]]
== Display

[[charset]]
=== I don't see some chars with accents, what can I do?

It's common issue, please read carefully and check *ALL* solutions below:

* check that weechat is linked to libncursesw (warning: needed on most
  distributions but not all): `ldd /path/to/weechat`
* check that the "charset" plugin is loaded with `/plugin` command (if it is
  not, then you probably need the "weechat-plugins" package)
* check the output of command `/charset` (on core buffer). You should see
  _ISO-XXXXXX_ or _UTF-8_ for terminal charset. If you see _ANSI_X3.4-1968_ or
  other values, your locale is probably wrong (fix your $LANG).
* setup global decode value, for example:
  `/set charset.default.decode "ISO-8859-15"`
* if you are using UTF-8 locale:
** check that your terminal is UTF-8 ready (terminal recommended for UTF-8 is
   rxvt-unicode)
** if you are using screen, check that it is run with UTF-8 mode
   ("`defutf8 on`" in ~/.screenrc or `screen -U` to run screen)
* check that option _weechat.look.eat_newline_glitch_ is off (this option may
  cause display bugs)

[NOTE]
UTF-8 locale is recommended for WeeChat. If you're using ISO or other
locale, please check that *all* your settings (terminal, screen, ..) are ISO
and *not* UTF-8.

[[unicode_chars]]
=== Some unicode chars are displayed in terminal but not in WeeChat, why?

This may be caused by a libc bug in function _wcwidth_, which should be fixed
in glibc 2.22 (maybe not yet available in your distribution).

There is a workaround to use the fixed _wcwidth_ function:
https://blog.nytsoi.net/2015/05/04/emoji-support-for-weechat

See this bug report for more information:
https://github.com/weechat/weechat/issues/79

[[bars_background]]
=== Bars like title and status are not filled, background color stops after text, why?

This may be caused by a bad value of the TERM variable in your shell (look at
output of `echo $TERM` in your terminal).

Depending on where you launch WeeChat, you should have:

* if WeeChat runs locally or on a remote machine without screen nor tmux, it
  depends on the terminal used: _xterm_, _xterm-256color_, _rxvt-unicode_,
  _rxvt-256color_, ...
* if WeeChat runs under screen, you should have _screen_ or _screen-256color_,
* if WeeChat runs under tmux, you should have _tmux_, _tmux-256color_,
  _screen_ or _screen-256color_.

If needed, fix your TERM variable: `export TERM="xxx"`.

[[screen_weird_chars]]
=== When I'm using weechat under screen/tmux, I have weird random chars, how do I fix that?

This may be caused by bad value of the TERM variable in your shell (look at
output of `echo $TERM` in your terminal, *outside screen/tmux*).

For example, _xterm-color_ may display such weird chars, you can use _xterm_
which is OK (like many other values).

If needed, fix your TERM variable: `export TERM="xxx"`.

[[osx_display_broken]]
=== I compiled WeeChat under OS X, and I see "(null)" everywhere on screen, what's wrong?

If you compiled ncursesw yourself, try to use standard ncurses (that comes with
system).

Moreover, under OS X, it is recommended to install WeeChat with Homebrew package
manager.

[[buffer_vs_window]]
=== I heard about "buffers" and "windows", what's the difference?

A _buffer_ is composed by a number, a name, lines displayed (and some other
data).

A _window_ is a screen area which displays a buffer. It is possible to split
your screen into many windows.

Each window displays one buffer. A buffer can be hidden (not displayed by a
window) or displayed by one or more windows.

[[buffers_list]]
=== How to display the buffers list on the left side?

Use script _buffers.pl_:

----
/script install buffers.pl
----

To limit size of bar:

----
/set weechat.bar.buffers.size_max 15
----

To move bar to bottom:

----
/set weechat.bar.buffers.position bottom
----

To scroll the bar: if mouse is enabled (key: kbd:[Alt+m]), you can scroll the
bar with your mouse wheel.

Or you can define keys, similar to the existing keys to scroll nicklist.
For example to use kbd:[F1], kbd:[F2], kbd:[Alt+F1] and kbd:[Alt+F2]:

----
/key bind meta-OP /bar scroll buffers * -100%
/key bind meta-OQ /bar scroll buffers * +100%
/key bind meta-meta-OP /bar scroll buffers * b
/key bind meta-meta-OQ /bar scroll buffers * e
----

[NOTE]
Keys "meta-OP" and "meta-OQ" may be different in your terminal. To find key
code press kbd:[Alt+k] then key.

[[customize_prefix]]
=== How can I reduce length of nicks or remove nick alignment in chat area?

To reduce max length of nicks in chat area:

----
/set weechat.look.prefix_align_max 15
----

To remove nick alignment:

----
/set weechat.look.prefix_align none
----

[[input_bar_size]]
=== How to use command line with more than one line?

The option _size_ in input bar can be set to a value higher than 1 (for fixed
size, default size is 1) or 0 for dynamic size, and then option _size_max_ will
set the max size (0 = no limit).

Example with dynamic size:

----
/set weechat.bar.input.size 0
----

Max size of 2:

----
/set weechat.bar.input.size_max 2
----

[[one_input_root_bar]]
=== Is it possible to display only one input bar for all windows (after split)?

Yes, you will have to create a bar with type "root" (with an item to know in
which window you are), then delete current input bar.

For example:

----
/bar add rootinput root bottom 1 0 [buffer_name]+[input_prompt]+(away),[input_search],[input_paste],input_text
/bar del input
----

If ever you are not satisfied with that, just delete new bar, WeeChat will
automatically create default bar "input" if item "input_text" is not used in
any bar:

----
/bar del rootinput
----

[[terminal_copy_paste]]
=== How can I copy/paste text without pasting nicklist?

With WeeChat ≥ 1.0, you can use the bare display (default key: kbd:[Alt+l]).

You can use a terminal with rectangular selection (like rxvt-unicode,
konsole, gnome-terminal, ...). Key is usually kbd:[Ctrl] + kbd:[Alt] + mouse
selection.

Another solution is to move nicklist to top or bottom, for example:

----
/set weechat.bar.nicklist.position top
----

[[urls]]
=== How can I click on long URLs (more than one line)?

With WeeChat ≥ 1.0, you can use the bare display (default key: kbd:[Alt+l]).

By default, WeeChat displays time and prefix for each line and optional bars
around chat area. To make easier URL click, you can move nicklist to top and
remove alignment on nick:

----
/set weechat.bar.nicklist.position top
/set weechat.look.prefix_align none
/set weechat.look.align_end_of_lines time
----

With WeeChat ≥ 0.3.6, you can enable option "eat_newline_glitch", so that
new line char is not added at the end of each line displayed (it will not break
URL selection):

----
/set weechat.look.eat_newline_glitch on
----

[IMPORTANT]
This option may cause display bugs. If you experience such problem, you must
turn off this option.

Other solution is to use a script:

----
/script search url
----

[[change_locale_without_quit]]
=== I want to change the language used by WeeChat for messages, but without exiting WeeChat, is it possible?

Yes, with WeeChat ≥ 1.0:

----
/set env LANG en_US.UTF-8
/upgrade
----

With older WeeChat:

----
/script install shell.py
/shell setenv LANG=en_US.UTF-8
/upgrade
----

[[use_256_colors]]
=== How can I use 256 colors in WeeChat?

256 colors are supported with WeeChat ≥ 0.3.4.

First check that your _TERM_ environment variable is correct, recommended values
are:

* under screen: _screen-256color_
* under tmux: _screen-256color_ or _tmux-256color_
* outside screen/tmux: _xterm-256color_, _rxvt-256color_, _putty-256color_, ...

[NOTE]
You may have to install package "ncurses-term" to use these values in _TERM_
variable.

If you are using screen, you can add this line to your _~/.screenrc_:

----
term screen-256color
----

If your _TERM_ variable has wrong value and that WeeChat is already running,
you can change it with these two commands (with WeeChat ≥ 1.0):

----
/set env TERM screen-256color
/upgrade
----

For version 0.3.4, you must use command `/color` to add new colors.

For versions ≥ 0.3.5, you can use any color number in options (optional: you
can add color aliases with command `/color`).

Please read user's guide for more information about colors management.

[[search_text]]
=== How can I search text in buffer (like /lastlog in irssi)?

The default key is kbd:[Ctrl+r] (command is: `/input search_text_here`).
And jump to highlights: kbd:[Alt+p] / kbd:[Alt+n].

See user's guide for more info about this feature (default key bindings).

[[terminal_focus]]
=== How can I execute commands when terminal gets/loses focus?

You must enable the focus events with a special code sent to terminal.

*Important*:

* Currently, *only* _xterm_ seems to support this feature.
* It does *not* work under screen/tmux.

To send the code when WeeChat is starting:

----
/set weechat.startup.command_after_plugins "/print -stdout \033[?1004h\n"
----

And then you bind two keys for the focus (replace the `/print` commands by the
commands of your choice):

----
/key bind meta2-I /print -core focus
/key bind meta2-O /print -core unfocus
----

[[screen_paste]]
=== When WeeChat is running in screen, pasting text in another screen window adds ~0 and ~1 around text, why?

This is caused by the bracketed paste option which is enabled by default, and
not properly handled by screen in other windows.

You can just disable bracketed paste mode:

----
/set weechat.look.paste_bracketed off
----

[[key_bindings]]
== Key bindings

[[meta_keys]]
=== Some meta keys (alt + key) are not working, why?

If you're using some terminals like xterm or uxterm, some meta keys does not
work by default. You can add a line in file _~/.Xresources_:

* for xterm:
----
XTerm*metaSendsEscape: true
----
* for uxterm:
----
UXTerm*metaSendsEscape: true
----

And then reload resources (`xrdb -override ~/.Xresources`) or restart X.

[[customize_key_bindings]]
=== How can I customize key bindings?

Key bindings are customizable with `/key` command.

Default key kbd:[Alt+k] lets you grab key code and insert it in command line.

[[jump_to_buffer_11_or_higher]]
=== What is the key to jump to buffer 11 (or higher number)?

The key is kbd:[Alt+j] and then 2 digits, for example kbd:[Alt+j], kbd:[1],
kbd:[1] to jump to buffer 11.

You can bind a key, for example:

----
/key bind meta-q /buffer *11
----

List of default keys is in User's guide.

[[global_history]]
=== How to use global history (instead of buffer history) with up and down keys?

You can bind the up and down keys on global history (default keys for global
history are kbd:[Ctrl+↑] and kbd:[Ctrl+↓]).

Example:

----
/key bind meta2-A /input history_global_previous
/key bind meta2-B /input history_global_next
----

[NOTE]
Keys "meta2-A" and "meta2-B" may be different in your terminal. To find key
code press kbd:[Alt+k] then key.

[[mouse]]
== Mouse

[[mouse_not_working]]
=== Mouse is not working at all, what can I do?

Mouse is supported with WeeChat ≥ 0.3.6.

First try to enable mouse:

----
/mouse enable
----

If mouse is still not working, check the TERM variable in your shell (look at
output of `echo $TERM` in your terminal).
According to terminfo used, mouse may not be supported.

You can test mouse support in terminal:

----
$ printf '\033[?1002h'
----

And then click on first char of terminal (upper left). You should see " !!#!!".

To disable mouse in terminal:

----
$ printf '\033[?1002l'
----

[[mouse_coords]]
=== Mouse does nothing for X or Y greater than 94 (or 222), why?

Some terminals are sending only ISO chars for mouse coordinates, so it does not
work for X/Y greater than 94 (or 222).

You should use a terminal that supports UTF-8 coordinates for mouse, like
rxvt-unicode.

[[mouse_select_paste]]
=== How can I select or paste text in terminal when mouse is enabled in WeeChat?

When mouse is enabled in WeeChat, you can use kbd:[Shift] modifier to select or
click in terminal, as if the mouse was disabled (on some terminals like iTerm,
you have to use kbd:[Alt] instead of kbd:[Shift]).

[[irc]]
== IRC

[[irc_ssl_connection]]
=== I have some problems when connecting to a server using SSL, what can I do?

If you are using Mac OS X, you must install `openssl` from Homebrew.
A CA file will be bootstrapped using certificates from the system keychain.
You can then set the path to certificates in WeeChat:

----
/set weechat.network.gnutls_ca_file "/usr/local/etc/openssl/cert.pem"
----

If you see errors about gnutls handshake, you can try to use a smaller
Diffie-Hellman key (default is 2048):

----
/set irc.server.example.ssl_dhkey_size 1024
----

If you see errors about certificate, you can disable "ssl_verify" (be careful,
connection will be less secure by doing that):

----
/set irc.server.example.ssl_verify off
----

If the server has an invalid certificate and you know what the certificate
should be, you can specify the fingerprint (SHA-512, SHA-256 or SHA-1):

----
/set irc.server.example.ssl_fingerprint 0c06e399d3c3597511dc8550848bfd2a502f0ce19883b728b73f6b7e8604243b
----

[[irc_ssl_handshake_error]]
=== When connecting to server with SSL, I see only error "TLS handshake failed", what can I do?

You can try a different priority string (WeeChat ≥ 0.3.5 only), replace "xxx"
by your server name:

----
/set irc.server.xxx.ssl_priorities "NORMAL:-VERS-TLS-ALL:+VERS-TLS1.0:+VERS-SSL3.0:%COMPAT"
----

[[irc_ssl_freenode]]
=== How can I connect to freenode server using SSL?

Set option _weechat.network.gnutls_ca_file_ to file with certificates:

----
/set weechat.network.gnutls_ca_file "/etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt"
----

[NOTE]
Check that you have this file on your system (commonly brought by package
"ca-certificates").

Setup server port, SSL, then connect:

----
/set irc.server.freenode.addresses "chat.freenode.net/7000"
/set irc.server.freenode.ssl on
/connect freenode
----

[[irc_oauth]]
=== How to connect to a server that requires "oauth"?

Some servers like _twitch_ require oauth to connect.

The oauth is simply a password with the value "oauth:XXXX".

You can add such server and connect with following commands (replace name
and address by appropriate values):

----
/server add name irc.server.org -password=oauth:XXXX
/connect name
----

[[irc_sasl]]
=== How can I be identified before joining channels?

If server supports SASL, you should use that instead of sending command for
nickserv authentication, for example:

----
/set irc.server.freenode.sasl_username "mynick"
/set irc.server.freenode.sasl_password "xxxxxxx"
----

If server does not support SASL, you can add a delay (between command and join
of channels):

----
/set irc.server.freenode.command_delay 5
----

[[ignore_vs_filter]]
=== What is the difference between the /ignore and /filter commands?

The `/ignore` command is an IRC command, so it applies only for IRC buffers
(servers and channels).
It lets you ignore some nicks or hostnames of users for a server or channel
(command will not apply on content of messages).
Matching messages are deleted by IRC plugin before display (so you'll
never see them).

The `/filter` command is a core command, so it applies to any buffer.
It lets you filter some lines in buffers with tags or regular expression for
prefix and content of line.
Filtered lines are only hidden, not deleted, and you can see them if you
disable filters (by default, the key kbd:[Alt+=] toggles filters).

[[filter_irc_join_part_quit]]
=== How can I filter join/part/quit messages on IRC channels?

With smart filter (keep join/part/quit from users who spoke recently):

----
/set irc.look.smart_filter on
/filter add irc_smart * irc_smart_filter *
----

With a global filter (hide *all* join/part/quit):

----
/filter add joinquit * irc_join,irc_part,irc_quit *
----

[NOTE]
For help: `/help filter` and `/help irc.look.smart_filter`

[[filter_irc_join_channel_messages]]
=== How can I filter some messages displayed when I join an IRC channel?

With WeeChat ≥ 0.4.1, you can choose which messages are displayed or not when
joining a channel with the option _irc.look.display_join_message_ (see
`/help irc.look.display_join_message` for more info).

To hide messages (but keep them in buffer), you can filter them using the tag
(for example _irc_329_ for channel creation date). See `/help filter` for help
with filters.

[[filter_voice_messages]]
=== How can I filter voice messages (eg on Bitlbee server)?

It's not easy to filter voice messages, because voice mode can be set with other
modes in same IRC message.

If you want to do that, it's probably because Bitlbee is using voice to show
away users, and you are flooded with voice messages. Therefore, you can change
that and let WeeChat use a special color for away nicks in nicklist.

For Bitlbee ≥ 3, do that on channel _&bitlbee_:

----
channel set show_users online,away
----

For older version of Bitlbee, do that on channel _&bitlbee_:

----
set away_devoice false
----

For checking away nicks in WeeChat, see question about
<<color_away_nicks,away nicks>>.

If you really want to filter voice messages, you can use this command, but this
is not perfect (will work only if first mode changed is voice):

----
/filter add hidevoices * irc_mode (\+|\-)v
----

[[color_away_nicks]]
=== How can I see away nicks in nicklist?

You have to set option _irc.server_default.away_check_ to a positive value
(minutes between each check of away nicks).

You can set option _irc.server_default.away_check_max_nicks_ to limit away check
on small channels only.

For example, check every 5 minutes for away nicks, for channels with max 25
nicks:

----
/set irc.server_default.away_check 5
/set irc.server_default.away_check_max_nicks 25
----

[NOTE]
For WeeChat ≤ 0.3.3, options are _irc.network.away_check_ and
_irc.network.away_check_max_nicks_.

[[highlight_notification]]
=== How can I be warned when someone highlights me on a channel?

With WeeChat ≥ 1.0, there is a default trigger "beep" which sends a _BEL_ to
the terminal on a highlight or private message. Thus you can configure your
terminal (or multiplexer like screen/tmux) to run a command or play a sound
when a _BEL_ occurs.

Or you can add a command in "beep" trigger:

----
/set trigger.trigger.beep.command "/print -beep;/exec -bg /path/to/command arguments"
----

With an older WeeChat, you can use a script like _beep.pl_ or _launcher.pl_.

For _launcher.pl_, you have to setup command:

----
/set plugins.var.perl.launcher.signal.weechat_highlight "/path/to/command arguments"
----

Other scripts on this subject:

----
/script search notify
----

[[irc_target_buffer]]
=== How can I change target buffer for commands on merged buffers (like buffer with servers)?

The default key is kbd:[Ctrl+x] (command is: `/input switch_active_buffer`).

[[plugins_scripts]]
== Plugins / scripts

[[openbsd_plugins]]
=== I'm using OpenBSD and WeeChat does not load any plugins, what's wrong?

Under OpenBSD, plugin filenames end with ".so.0.0" (".so" for Linux).

You must set that up:

----
/set weechat.plugin.extension ".so.0.0"
/plugin autoload
----

[[install_scripts]]
=== How can I install scripts? Are scripts compatible with other IRC clients?

You can use the command `/script` to install and manage scripts
(see `/help script` for help).

Scripts are not compatible with other IRC clients.

[[settings]]
== Settings

[[memory_usage]]
=== How can I tweak WeeChat to consume less memory?

You can try following tips to consume less memory:

* use the latest stable version (it is supposed to have less memory leaks than
  older versions)
* do not load some plugins if you don't use them, for example: aspell, fifo,
  logger, perl, python, ruby, lua, tcl, guile, javascript, xfer (used for DCC)
* load only scripts that you really need
* do not load certificates if SSL is *NOT* used: set empty string in option
  _weechat.network.gnutls_ca_file_
* reduce value of option _weechat.history.max_buffer_lines_number_ or set value
  of option _weechat.history.max_buffer_lines_minutes_
* reduce value of option _weechat.history.max_commands_

[[cpu_usage]]
=== How can I tweak WeeChat to use less CPU?

You can follow same tips as for <<memory_usage,memory>>, and these ones:

* hide "nicklist" bar: `/bar hide nicklist`
* remove display of seconds in status bar time:
  `/set weechat.look.item_time_format "%H:%M"` (this is the default value)
* set the _TZ_ variable (for example: `export TZ="Europe/Paris"`), to prevent
  frequent access to file _/etc/localtime_

[[security]]
=== I am paranoid about security, which settings could I change to be even more secure?

Disable IRC part and quit messages:

----
/set irc.server_default.default_msg_part ""
/set irc.server_default.default_msg_quit ""
----

Disable answers to all CTCP queries:

----
/set irc.ctcp.clientinfo ""
/set irc.ctcp.finger ""
/set irc.ctcp.source ""
/set irc.ctcp.time ""
/set irc.ctcp.userinfo ""
/set irc.ctcp.version ""
/set irc.ctcp.ping ""
----

Unload and disable auto-loading of "xfer" plugin (used for IRC DCC):

----
/plugin unload xfer
/set weechat.plugin.autoload "*,!xfer"
----

Define a passphrase and use secured data wherever you can for sensitive data
like passwords: see `/help secure` and `/help` on options
(if you can use secured data, it is written in the help).

For example:

----
/secure passphrase xxxxxxxxxx
/secure set freenode_username username
/secure set freenode_password xxxxxxxx
/set irc.server.freenode.sasl_username "${sec.data.freenode_username}"
/set irc.server.freenode.sasl_password "${sec.data.freenode_password}"
----

[[development]]
== Development

[[bug_task_patch]]
=== How should I report bugs, ask for new features or send patches?

See: https://weechat.org/dev/support

[[gdb_error_threads]]
=== When I run WeeChat under gdb, there is error about threads, what can I do?

When you run WeeChat under gdb, you may have this error:

----
$ gdb /path/to/weechat
(gdb) run
[Thread debugging using libthread_db enabled]
Cannot find new threads: generic error
----

To fix that, you can run gdb with this command (replace path to libpthread and
WeeChat with paths on your system):

----
$ LD_PRELOAD=/lib/libpthread.so.0 gdb /path/to/weechat
(gdb) run
----

[[supported_os]]
=== What is the list of supported platforms for WeeChat? Will it be ported to other operating systems?

The full list is on this page: https://weechat.org/download

We do our best to run on as many platforms as possible. Help is welcome for
some OS' we don't have, to test WeeChat.

[[help_developers]]
=== I want to help WeeChat developers. What can I do?

There's many tasks to do (testing, code, documentation, ...)

Please contact us via IRC or mail, look at support page:
https://weechat.org/dev/support

[[donate]]
=== Can I give money or other things to WeeChat developers?

You can give us money to help development.
Details on https://weechat.org/about/donate