Understanding chanserv Access Levels

When you register a channel, chanserv assigns a default set of numeric access levels to permissions. These levels determine what users can do based on their assigned level via the /access list.

To view the current level configuration for your channel:
/chanserv LEVELS #channel LIST

Here are the default access levels everything is when a new channel is registered: 

ACCESS_CHANGE  10    ACCESS_LIST    3     NOKICK         1
FANTASIA        3    GREET          5     AUTOVOICE      3
VOICEME         3    VOICE          4     INFO        9999
SAY             5    AUTOHALFOP     4     HALFOPME       4
HALFOP          5    KICK           4     SIGNKICK    9999
BAN             4    TOPIC          5     MODE        9999
GETKEY          5    INVITE         5     UNBAN           4
AUTOOP          5    OPME           5     OP              5
AUTOPROTECT    10    AKICK         10     BADWORDS       10
ASSIGN (founder)     MEMO          10     PROTECTME      10
PROTECT      9999    SET         9999     AUTOOWNER    9999
OWNERME      9999    OWNER  (founder)     FOUNDER     10000

[the default level for a user who isn't on the access list is 0]

Modifying Access Levels

You can change the required level for any permission using the following command:
/chanserv LEVELS #channel PERMISSION LEVEL
Example:
/chanserv LEVELS #mychan KICK 7

Remember: Some permissions, like ASSIGN and OWNER, are always founder-only and won’t function even if you reduce their required level. FOUNDER (level 10000) is unique and not assignable to others via access.

Channel Permissions vs chanserv Levels

It's important to understand that access levels only control what chanserv will permit users to do via services. If a user already has operator status in the channel (e.g., by being manually opped), they can still kick, ban, or set topics regardless of their assigned level. chanserv does not intercept raw IRC commands unless you configure strict mode locks or use /chanserv ENFORCE features.

To control user permissions in practice, combine access levels with:

Use services to complement, not replace, vigilant channel moderation.