Qchat uses a very simple protocol to send information between the client and server. The protocol consists of a keyword followed by an ampersand and then the information. Some of the keywords require a second piece of information, this is accomplished by adding another ampersand and the information. The protocol is also different between two servers and between a server an a client. The following table describes the entire protocol.

Keyword	Data Path	Data	Example
TEXT	Server -> Server	Text messages	TEXT&mendolf says: hi there.
-	Client -> Server	-	TEXT&test says: this is a test.
-	Server -> Client	-	TEXT&I am sending text.
GO	Client -> Server	Channel name	GO&os2
-	Server -> Client	-	GO&test
ADDCHANNEL	Client -> Server	Channel name	ADDCHANNEL&os2
-	Server -> Client	-	ADDCHANNEL&test
-	Server -> Client	Channel name and # of users	ADDCHANNEL&test&10
FILTER	Client -> Server	Username.	FILTER&mendolf
-	Server -> Client	-	FILTER&testing
UNFILTER	Client -> Server	Username	FILTER&mendolf
-	Server -> Client	-	FILTER&testing
STATUS	Client -> Server	None.	STATUS&
ADDUSER	Server -> Client	Username.	ADDUSER&mendolf
-	Server -> Server	Username and channel.	ADDUSER&mendolf&os2
REMOVEUSER	Server -> Client	Username.	REMOVEUSER&mendolf
-	Server -> Server	-	REMOVEUSER&testing
REMOVECHANNEL	Server -> Client	Channel name.	REMOVECHANNEL&os2