Key Takeaways
- Slash commands start with "/" and perform various actions in Twitch chat.
- Broadcaster commands include /raid, /host, /slow, /subscribers, and channel management tools.
- Moderator commands include /ban, /timeout, /clear, /delete, and user management.
- Viewer commands include /me, /color, /block, /mods, and whispers.
- Command permissions are role-based - broadcasters have all commands, mods have moderation commands, viewers have basic utility commands.
Twitch chat commands are essential tools for streamers, moderators, and viewers to interact with and manage Twitch chat. From banning disruptive users to raiding fellow streamers, these slash commands provide quick access to powerful features without navigating through menus.
Understanding chat commands is fundamental to effective stream management. According to Twitch's official chat commands documentation, there are dozens of commands available, each with specific use cases and permission requirements. This comprehensive guide covers every command you need to know, organized by role and function.
Understanding Twitch Chat Commands
Twitch chat commands are text-based shortcuts that start with a forward slash (/). When you type a command in chat, Twitch interprets it as an action rather than a regular message. Commands are faster than clicking through menus and essential for real-time stream management.
Command Permission Levels
| Role | Access Level | Example Commands |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcaster | All commands | /raid, /mod, /vip, /emoteonly |
| Editor | Most broadcaster commands | /raid, /commercial, /marker |
| Moderator | Moderation commands | /ban, /timeout, /slow, /clear |
| VIP | Viewer commands + bypasses | /me, /color, slow mode bypass |
| Subscriber | Viewer commands + sub perks | /me, /color, sub-only bypass |
| Viewer | Basic utility commands | /me, /color, /block, /mods |
Broadcaster Commands
Broadcaster commands give channel owners full control over their stream and chat. These commands are exclusive to the channel owner and designated editors.
Raid and Host Commands
Raiding and hosting are essential for building community connections with other streamers. The raid command redirects your viewers to another channel at the end of your stream.
/raid [channel]
Usage: /raid coolstreamer
Starts a 10-second countdown then redirects all viewers to the specified channel. Your chat will appear in the target channel with a special raid notification.
- Cancel with
/unraidbefore countdown ends - Target channel receives a notification
- Viewers see a "Join Raid" button
- Only broadcaster and editors can initiate raids
/unraid
Usage: /unraid
Cancels an active raid before it completes. Use this if you change your mind or selected the wrong channel.
Chat Mode Commands
These commands control who can participate in chat and how often they can send messages. They're essential for managing chat during high-traffic moments or dealing with spam.
/slow [seconds]
Usage: /slow 30
Enables slow mode, limiting how often users can send messages. Default is 30 seconds if no duration specified.
- Range: 1-120 seconds
- Subscribers, VIPs, and mods are exempt
- Disable with
/slowoff
/followers [duration]
Usage: /followers 10m
Restricts chat to users who have followed for a specified duration. Great for preventing drive-by trolls.
- Durations: 0 (any follower), 10m, 30m, 1h, 1d, 1w, 1mo, 3mo
- Disable with
/followersoff - Mods, VIPs, and subs are always exempt
/subscribers
Usage: /subscribers
Enables subscriber-only mode. Only subscribers, VIPs, and mods can chat. This is useful for special subscriber events or controlling spam during high-activity moments.
- Disable with
/subscribersoff - Consider using sparingly - can feel exclusionary to non-subs
/emoteonly
Usage: /emoteonly
Restricts chat to emote-only messages. Fun for community moments or emote voting.
- Disable with
/emoteonlyoff - Works well for community decisions ("React with Kappa for yes")
/uniquechat
Usage: /uniquechat
Prevents users from posting duplicate messages. Helps prevent spam and copy-paste flooding.
- Disable with
/uniquechatoff - Useful during events that might trigger spam
Role Management Commands
These commands let you assign and remove roles from users in your channel. Proper role management is crucial for effective channel moderation.
/mod [username]
Usage: /mod trusteduser
Grants moderator status to a user. They receive the sword badge and access to all moderation commands.
- Remove with
/unmod username - View all mods with
/mods - Consider carefully - mods can ban users
/vip [username]
Usage: /vip loyalviewer
Grants VIP status to a user. VIPs get a gem badge, bypass slow mode, and can post links. Learn more about Twitch VIP roles and management.
- Remove with
/unvip username - View all VIPs with
/vips - VIP slots scale with channel size (10-100 slots)
Commercial and Monetization Commands
These commands help you manage ads and monetization during your stream.
/commercial [duration]
Usage: /commercial 60
Runs an ad break for the specified duration. Only available to Affiliates and Partners.
- Durations: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, or 180 seconds
- Subscribers don't see mid-roll ads
- Use strategically during natural breaks
/marker [description]
Usage: /marker epic clutch moment
Creates a stream marker at the current timestamp with an optional description. Useful for finding highlights during VOD editing.
- Markers appear in the Video Producer
- Great for clip creation later
- Editors can also use this command
Other Broadcaster Commands
/goal
Usage: /goal
Opens the Creator Goals dashboard to set and manage subscriber, follower, or new subscriber goals.
/prediction
Usage: /prediction
Opens the Predictions dashboard to create viewer predictions using Channel Points. See our full guide on Twitch Predictions.
/poll
Usage: /poll
Opens the Polls dashboard to create viewer polls. Polls can be free or require Channel Points to vote.
Moderator Commands
Moderator commands are available to both broadcasters and users with the moderator role. These are the core tools for maintaining a healthy chat environment.
User Action Commands
/ban [username] [reason]
Usage: /ban toxicuser repeated harassment
Permanently bans a user from your channel. They cannot chat until manually unbanned.
- The reason is optional but recommended for record-keeping
- Banned users can still watch the stream
- Unban with
/unban username - Consider timeouts first for minor offenses
/timeout [username] [duration] [reason]
Usage: /timeout spammer 600 stop spamming
Temporarily prevents a user from chatting. Default is 600 seconds (10 minutes).
- Duration in seconds (max 1,209,600 = 2 weeks)
- Common durations: 60 (1 min), 600 (10 min), 3600 (1 hour)
- Undo with
/untimeout username - User's messages are removed from chat
/delete [message-id]
Usage: Click the trash icon or use the command with message ID
Deletes a single message from chat without timing out the user. Useful for accidental rule breaks.
- Easier to use via the trash icon in chat
- Doesn't punish the user, just removes the message
- Good for one-off mistakes
/clear
Usage: /clear
Clears the entire chat history. Messages are removed for all viewers (except mods who can still see the log).
- Use during stream setup or after disruptions
- Doesn't punish any users
- Fresh start for chat
Moderation Utility Commands
/user [username]
Usage: /user suspicioususer
Opens the user card showing account age, follow date, chat history, and previous mod actions. Essential for informed moderation decisions.
/restrict [username]
Usage: /restrict maybebot
Restricts a user so their messages are only visible to moderators until manually approved. Useful for suspicious accounts.
- Unrestrict with
/unrestrict username - User doesn't know they're restricted
- Good for potential bots or follow-spam accounts
/warn [username] [reason]
Usage: /warn newuser please read the rules
Sends an official warning to a user. The warning appears prominently in their chat and is logged.
- Less severe than timeout
- Creates a record for escalation
- User must acknowledge before chatting again
Shoutout Command
/shoutout [username]
Usage: /shoutout friendlystreamer
Sends an official shoutout with a preview of the mentioned streamer's channel. Has a 2-minute cooldown. Learn more in our Twitch Shoutouts guide.
- Shortcut:
/so username - Shows the target's recent stream category
- Available to broadcaster, mods, and editors
Viewer Commands
These commands are available to all users in Twitch chat, regardless of their role. They provide utility and personalization options.
Chat Appearance Commands
/me [message]
Usage: /me is excited for the stream!
Sends a message in your username color as an "action" (displayed in italics on some clients). Classic IRC-style action text.
/color [color]
Usage: /color blue or /color #FF5733
Changes your username color in chat. Non-Turbo users can choose from 15 preset colors. Turbo and Prime users can use hex codes.
Available colors: Blue, BlueViolet, CadetBlue, Chocolate, Coral, DodgerBlue, Firebrick, GoldenRod, Green, HotPink, OrangeRed, Red, SeaGreen, SpringGreen, YellowGreen
Information Commands
/mods
Usage: /mods
Lists all moderators in the current channel. Useful to know who to contact about issues.
/vips
Usage: /vips
Lists all VIPs in the current channel. Shows community recognition.
/help
Usage: /help
Displays a brief list of available commands based on your permission level.
User Management Commands
/block [username]
Usage: /block annoyinguser
Blocks a user so you won't see their messages or receive whispers from them.
- Unblock with
/unblock username - Only affects your view
- Blocked users can still see your messages
/ignore [username]
Usage: /ignore username
Similar to block - hides messages from the specified user. Unignore with /unignore username.
Whisper Commands
/w [username] [message]
Usage: /w friendlymod hey, someone is spamming
Sends a private whisper message to another user. The message appears in their whisper inbox.
- Whispers are rate-limited
- Some users disable whispers from strangers
- Whisper history is saved
/r [message]
Usage: /r thanks for the heads up!
Replies to your most recent whisper conversation. Quick shortcut for ongoing whisper chats.
Other Viewer Commands
/disconnect
Usage: /disconnect
Disconnects your chat session. You'll need to refresh to reconnect. Useful for fixing chat issues.
Command Quick Reference Tables
Here are comprehensive reference tables for quick lookup during streams.
Broadcaster Commands Quick Reference
| Command | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| /raid | /raid channel | Start raid to channel |
| /unraid | /unraid | Cancel pending raid |
| /slow | /slow [seconds] | Enable slow mode |
| /slowoff | /slowoff | Disable slow mode |
| /followers | /followers [duration] | Followers-only mode |
| /followersoff | /followersoff | Disable followers-only |
| /subscribers | /subscribers | Subscriber-only mode |
| /subscribersoff | /subscribersoff | Disable sub-only mode |
| /emoteonly | /emoteonly | Emote-only mode |
| /emoteonlyoff | /emoteonlyoff | Disable emote-only |
| /mod | /mod username | Grant moderator role |
| /unmod | /unmod username | Remove moderator role |
| /vip | /vip username | Grant VIP status |
| /unvip | /unvip username | Remove VIP status |
| /commercial | /commercial [30-180] | Run ad break |
| /marker | /marker [description] | Create stream marker |
Moderator Commands Quick Reference
| Command | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| /ban | /ban username [reason] | Permanently ban user |
| /unban | /unban username | Remove ban |
| /timeout | /timeout username [sec] [reason] | Temporary mute |
| /untimeout | /untimeout username | Remove timeout |
| /clear | /clear | Clear chat history |
| /delete | /delete message-id | Delete single message |
| /warn | /warn username reason | Send official warning |
| /restrict | /restrict username | Hide messages pending review |
| /unrestrict | /unrestrict username | Remove restriction |
| /shoutout | /shoutout username | Official shoutout |
| /user | /user username | View user card |
Chat Bot Commands
While not native Twitch commands, third-party chat bots add extensive command functionality. Popular bots include Nightbot, StreamElements, and Moobot. These integrate with your stream alerts and provide custom commands.
Common Bot Command Types
- !commands - List available commands
- !uptime - Show stream duration
- !socials - Display social media links
- !schedule - Show streaming schedule
- Custom commands - !discord, !youtube, !specs, etc.
Bot commands use an exclamation mark (!) instead of a slash (/) and are configured through each bot's dashboard.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Beyond typed commands, Twitch offers keyboard shortcuts for common actions:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Alt + X | Create clip |
| Alt + T | Toggle theater mode |
| Alt + F | Toggle fullscreen |
| Alt + Arrow Up/Down | Scroll chat history |
| Tab | Autocomplete username/emote |
Command Best Practices
For Broadcasters
- Create a command cheat sheet for quick reference during streams
- Train moderators on proper command usage and escalation
- Use timeouts before bans for first-time offenders
- Document ban reasons for future reference
- Set up bot commands to reduce repetitive typing
For Moderators
- Start with /user to check history before taking action
- Use /warn for minor issues before escalating
- Communicate with fellow mods via whispers
- Keep timeout durations proportional to the offense
- Always include reasons in bans and timeouts
For Viewers
- Use /mods to find who to contact for issues
- Customize your experience with /color
- Block harassers immediately with /block
- Use whispers for private conversations
Common Command Issues
Troubleshooting
- "This command is not available" - You don't have the required permission level
- Command doesn't work - Check spelling, ensure no space before the slash
- Raid not starting - Verify target channel exists and isn't blocking raids
- Can't whisper - Target may have whispers disabled or you're rate-limited
- Timeout not applying - User may be a mod, VIP, or subscriber (check settings)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Twitch chat commands?
Twitch chat commands are slash commands (starting with /) that perform actions in chat. They include moderation commands like /ban and /timeout, channel management commands like /raid and /host, and utility commands like /color and /me. Different commands are available to broadcasters, moderators, and regular viewers based on their role.
How do I ban someone on Twitch?
To ban someone on Twitch, type '/ban username' in chat (e.g., '/ban toxicuser'). You can also add a reason: '/ban username reason for ban'. Only broadcasters, moderators, and editors can use the ban command. The banned user won't be able to chat until manually unbanned with '/unban username'.
How do I raid another channel on Twitch?
Type '/raid channelname' in your chat to start a raid (e.g., '/raid coolstreamer'). A 10-second countdown starts, and you can cancel with '/unraid' if needed. After the countdown, your viewers are redirected to the target channel. Only the broadcaster and editors can initiate raids.
What's the difference between /timeout and /ban?
A /timeout temporarily prevents a user from chatting for a specified duration (default 10 minutes, max 2 weeks), while /ban permanently removes them until manually unbanned. Use timeouts for minor infractions and first-time offenders; use bans for serious violations or repeat offenders.
Can viewers use Twitch chat commands?
Yes, viewers can use several Twitch commands including /me (colored action text), /color (change username color), /block and /unblock (manage blocked users), /mods (see channel moderators), /vips (see channel VIPs), and /w (whisper/private message). However, moderation commands like /ban and /timeout are restricted to moderators and broadcasters.
Related Resources
Continue Learning
- Twitch Moderation Explained - Complete AutoMod, chat settings, and moderator tools guide
- Twitch Raids Explained - Master raiding and community building
- Twitch VIPs Explained - VIP badges, roles, and management
- Twitch Shoutouts Explained - Using /shoutout effectively
- Twitch Glossary - 100+ Twitch terms and slang explained
