When you open XChat the XChat: Network List window appears. Fill in your choices for your Nick name, username and realname. Your username can be anything you like.

Now choose a network to join from the Networks window. Select the one you want by clicking it.

Select Edit which opens another window listing the network you selected. For now make sure the box Use global user information is checked. Go down to the Favorite Channels field and type in the channel you want to join. You can also click on the small button to the right of the field which will bring up a window where you can Add, Remove and Edit your channels . Most networks require # placed before the name of the channel. For example, #fedora-userguide.

Click the Close button.

Select Connect and you are connected to your channel.

You configure your preferences for XChat while attached to the network. On the top menu bar select Settings > Preferences and choose your text, background and sound preferences.