Knowledgebase · Channel Management

Setting up auto-op for trusted users

Updated 22 Sep 2026 Support Operations

To ensure that trusted co-founders, moderators, or friends automatically receive operator status the moment they join your channel, you can configure an access control list (ACL) rule via ChanOP. This eliminates the need to manually op trusted users every time they connect.


1. Adding a User to the Access List with Operator Privileges

To grant automatic operator status (+o), you assign the user's registered NickOP account a high enough access level or specific permission flag within ChanOP.


  1. Using Access Levels:
  2. On services that use numerical privilege levels (where higher numbers mean greater control), operator status is typically granted at a specific threshold (for example, level 100 or higher):

Plaintext

/msg ChanOP ACCESS #channel ADD AccountName 100
  1. Using Flag-Based Access:
  2. If your network services use permission flags, you assign the operator flag (often +o or +t) to their registered account:

Plaintext

/msg ChanOP FLAGS #channel AccountName +o

2. How Auto-Op Works on Join

Once a trusted user is successfully added to the ChanOP access list with operator rights:


  1. The user connects to AustNet and authenticates their nickname with NickOP.
  2. When they issue /join #channel, ChanOP checks the channel's access list.
  3. Recognizing their registered account, ChanOP instantly applies the operator mode (+o) to their nickname upon entry.

3. Managing and Auditing Your Auto-Op List

To keep your channel secure, you should periodically review who holds automated operator privileges.


  1. Listing Current Access:

Plaintext

/msg ChanOP ACCESS #channel LIST
  1. Removing Access:
  2. If a user is no longer active or trusted, remove them immediately to prevent unauthorized administrative access:

Plaintext

/msg ChanOP ACCESS #channel DEL AccountName


Setting and managing channel modes

An overview of the most useful channel modes on AustNet: invite-only (+i), moderated (+m), registered-only (+R), and topic lock (+t).

Open article

Setting up invite-only mode

Using +i to require an invitation before users can join, how to /invite someone, and combining +i with the ChanOP access list.

Open article

Transferring channel ownership

How to hand over ownership of a registered channel to another user via ChanOP, and what happens to the existing access list.

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What to do if your channel has been taken over

AustNet does not support forced takeovers. If you believe your channel was taken inappropriately, contact staff with evidence of original ownership.

Open article