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

= WeeChat FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
:author: Sébastien Helleu
:email: flashcode@flashtux.org
:lang: en
:toc:
:toc-placement: manual


[NOTE]
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.

[[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, 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 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
----

[[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: key[alt-l]).

You can use a terminal with rectangular selection (like rxvt-unicode,
konsole, gnome-terminal, ...). Key is usually key[ctrl-]key[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: key[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'
* outside screen: '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 key[ctrl-r] (command is: `/input search_text`).
And jump to highlights: key[alt-p] / key[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
----

[[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 key[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 key[alt-j] and then 2 digits, for example key[alt-j], key[1], key[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 key[ctrl-↑] and key[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 key[alt-k] then key (up or down).

[[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 key[shift] modifier to select or
click in terminal, as if the mouse was disabled (on some terminals like iTerm,
you have to use key[alt] instead of key[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 `curl-ca-bundle` and set the path
to certificates in WeeChat:

----
/set weechat.network.gnutls_ca_file "/usr/local/opt/curl-ca-bundle/share/ca-bundle.crt"
----

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

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

[[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 create 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 key[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 key[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, 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'

[[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