• This guide will cover using Matrix to participate in a Freenode IRC room.
• Prerequisites:
• 1. Start a room - which is like starting a direct or private message with @appservice-irc:matrix.org.
• 2. By default your IRC nickname is the localpart of your Matrix username followed by [m]. If you want a different nick, tell the bridge your nick with !nick.
• 3. To reserve that nickname you need to register it with NickServ on the IRC network. To do that, start a new chat with NickServ.
• 4. Next register your nickname with NickServ. To do this send REGISTER <password> <email> to @freenode_NickServ:matrix.org.
• 5. Now you've told Freenode your password but you still need to tell the bridge your password so it can automatically reconnect you.
• 6. Now all that's left is to join a channel.
• That's it. You are now using Matrix like an IRC bouncer.