---
layout: documentation
title: Send CTCP commands with The Lounge
---

[CTCP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client-to-client_protocol) commands are special messages that can be sent to a channel or other clients. Servers do not interpret their content, as it is the role of the receiving client to do so.

In fact, you might have used a CTCP command without knowing it. In The Lounge and most IRC clients, sending `/me says hello world` actually sends the CTCP `ACTION` command with `says hello world` as a parameter. It is then interpreted by clients to display it in the way you are familiar with.

With The Lounge, you can send a CTCP command by sending messages starting with `/ctcp`. If you are sending requests to other users using The Lounge, here are the currently implemented ones:

- `/ctcp <nick> version` returns something along the lines of `VERSION thelounge v3.0.0 -- https://thelounge.chat/`
- `/ctcp <nick> source` returns `SOURCE git+https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge.git`
- `/ctcp <nick> ping foo` returns `PING foo`

To know more about internal details of how The Lounge implements CTCP responses, take a look at [the related source code](https://github.com/thelounge/thelounge/blob/master/src/plugins/irc-events/ctcp.js).

The Lounge does not support all CTCP commands, such as [DCC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Client-to-Client).

{: .alert.alert-info role="alert"}
When querying other users, know that their clients might inform them that you are requesting information about them, in the form of a notification or sound.

To learn more about CTCP, [this document](http://modern.ircdocs.horse/ctcp.html) is a great reference, more technical and in-depth that this high-level guide.

*[CTCP]: Client-to-client protocol
*[DCC]: Direct Client-to-Client

Add a very high-level overview of CTCP in guides
Add a very high-level overview of CTCP in guides
