What is an op? (+o)

An op (short for operator, or "channel operator") is a person who runs a room. In the member list an op has an @ in front of their name. Behind the @ is a room mode, +o, set on one person at a time.

Ops are the reason a room can stay friendly. They decide who stays, who speaks, what the topic says and how the room is set up.

At a glance

Two things to keep apart

1. The @ status (+o) is temporary. It belongs to a person *while they are in the room*. When they leave, they lose it. When a room empties, nobody has it.
2. Access levels (AOP, SOP and so on) are permanent and kept by ChanServ for registered rooms. They say who *should* get @ whenever they arrive. See Op or access level?.

Who is an op?

• In a brand new room, the first person to join becomes the op.
• In a registered room, people on the AOP list and above get @ automatically when they join and are identified.
• Any op can give @ to someone else.
• ChanServ can give it, if you are on the access lists. See Ops and voice.

Network operators are different

Staff of the whole network are also called "operators" or "opers". They are not the same thing. See Network operators in rooms.

Next: How to become an op, What an op can do.