diff --git a/src/IRCPanel.py b/src/IRCPanel.py
index 75917c4..1dc0134 100644
--- a/src/IRCPanel.py
+++ b/src/IRCPanel.py
@@ -200,7 +200,179 @@ class KaomojiPicker(wx.PopupTransientWindow):
         self.Popup()
 
 
+class CommandAutocomplete(wx.PopupTransientWindow):
+    """Popup window for IRC command autocomplete, similar to Minecraft."""
+    def __init__(self, parent, commands, on_select_callback):
+        super().__init__(parent, wx.BORDER_SIMPLE)
+        self.on_select_callback = on_select_callback
+        self.commands = commands  # List of (command, description) tuples
+        self.filtered_commands = commands.copy()
+        self.selected_index = 0
+        
+        self._init_ui()
+        self.Bind(wx.EVT_WINDOW_DESTROY, self.on_destroy)
+        
+    def _init_ui(self):
+        panel = wx.Panel(self)
+        main_sizer = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
+        
+        # Command list
+        self.list_ctrl = wx.ListCtrl(panel, style=wx.LC_REPORT | wx.LC_SINGLE_SEL | wx.LC_NO_HEADER)
+        self.list_ctrl.InsertColumn(0, "Command", width=120)
+        self.list_ctrl.InsertColumn(1, "Description", width=280)
+        
+        self._update_list()
+        
+        # Bind events
+        self.list_ctrl.Bind(wx.EVT_LIST_ITEM_ACTIVATED, self.on_item_activated)
+        self.list_ctrl.Bind(wx.EVT_LIST_ITEM_SELECTED, self.on_item_selected)
+        self.Bind(wx.EVT_CHAR_HOOK, self.on_char_hook)
+        self.Bind(wx.EVT_KILL_FOCUS, self.on_kill_focus)
+        
+        main_sizer.Add(self.list_ctrl, 1, wx.EXPAND | wx.ALL, 2)
+        panel.SetSizer(main_sizer)
+        main_sizer.Fit(panel)
+        self.SetClientSize(panel.GetBestSize())
+        
+        # Select first item
+        if self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount() > 0:
+            self.list_ctrl.Select(0)
+            self.selected_index = 0
+    
+    def _update_list(self):
+        """Update the list with filtered commands."""
+        self.list_ctrl.DeleteAllItems()
+        for cmd, desc in self.filtered_commands:
+            idx = self.list_ctrl.InsertItem(self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount(), cmd)
+            self.list_ctrl.SetItem(idx, 1, desc)
+        
+        # Resize to fit content (max 8 items visible)
+        item_height = 20
+        max_items = min(8, len(self.filtered_commands))
+        self.list_ctrl.SetSize((410, item_height * max_items + 4))
+        self.SetClientSize((410, item_height * max_items + 4))
+    
+    def filter_commands(self, search_text):
+        """Filter commands based on search text."""
+        search_lower = search_text.lower().strip()
+        if not search_lower:
+            self.filtered_commands = self.commands.copy()
+        else:
+            self.filtered_commands = [
+                (cmd, desc) for cmd, desc in self.commands
+                if cmd.lower().startswith(search_lower)
+            ]
+        
+        self.selected_index = 0
+        self._update_list()
+        if self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount() > 0:
+            self.list_ctrl.Select(0)
+    
+    def on_item_activated(self, event):
+        """Handle double-click or Enter on item."""
+        idx = event.GetIndex()
+        if 0 <= idx < len(self.filtered_commands):
+            cmd, _ = self.filtered_commands[idx]
+            if self.on_select_callback:
+                self.on_select_callback(cmd)
+            self.safe_dismiss()
+    
+    def on_item_selected(self, event):
+        """Handle item selection."""
+        self.selected_index = event.GetIndex()
+    
+    def select_next(self):
+        """Select next item."""
+        if self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount() > 0:
+            self.selected_index = (self.selected_index + 1) % self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount()
+            self.list_ctrl.Select(self.selected_index)
+            self.list_ctrl.EnsureVisible(self.selected_index)
+    
+    def select_previous(self):
+        """Select previous item."""
+        if self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount() > 0:
+            self.selected_index = (self.selected_index - 1) % self.list_ctrl.GetItemCount()
+            self.list_ctrl.Select(self.selected_index)
+            self.list_ctrl.EnsureVisible(self.selected_index)
+    
+    def get_selected_command(self):
+        """Get the currently selected command."""
+        if 0 <= self.selected_index < len(self.filtered_commands):
+            return self.filtered_commands[self.selected_index][0]
+        return None
+    
+    def on_char_hook(self, event):
+        """Handle keyboard events."""
+        keycode = event.GetKeyCode()
+        if keycode == wx.WXK_ESCAPE:
+            self.safe_dismiss()
+        elif keycode == wx.WXK_UP:
+            self.select_previous()
+        elif keycode == wx.WXK_DOWN:
+            self.select_next()
+        elif keycode == wx.WXK_RETURN or keycode == wx.WXK_NUMPAD_ENTER:
+            cmd = self.get_selected_command()
+            if cmd and self.on_select_callback:
+                self.on_select_callback(cmd)
+            self.safe_dismiss()
+        else:
+            event.Skip()
+    
+    def on_kill_focus(self, event):
+        """Handle focus loss."""
+        focused = wx.Window.FindFocus()
+        if focused and (focused == self.list_ctrl or self.IsDescendant(focused)):
+            event.Skip()
+            return
+        wx.CallLater(100, self.safe_dismiss)
+        event.Skip()
+    
+    def on_destroy(self, event):
+        event.Skip()
+    
+    def safe_dismiss(self):
+        """Safely dismiss the popup."""
+        if not self.IsBeingDeleted() and self.IsShown():
+            try:
+                self.Dismiss()
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"Error dismissing command autocomplete: {e}")
+    
+    def show_at_input(self, input_ctrl):
+        """Show popup near the input control."""
+        input_screen_pos = input_ctrl.ClientToScreen((0, 0))
+        popup_size = self.GetSize()
+        display_size = wx.GetDisplaySize()
+        
+        # Show above the input, otherwise below
+        if input_screen_pos.y - popup_size.height > 0:
+            popup_y = input_screen_pos.y - popup_size.height - 2
+        else:
+            popup_y = input_screen_pos.y + input_ctrl.GetSize().height + 2
+        
+        # Keep popup on screen horizontally
+        popup_x = max(10, min(input_screen_pos.x, display_size.x - popup_size.width - 10))
+        
+        self.Position((popup_x, popup_y), (0, 0))
+        self.Popup()
+
+
 class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
+    # IRC commands with descriptions
+    IRC_COMMANDS = [
+        ("help", "Show available commands"),
+        ("join", "Join a channel - /join <channel>"),
+        ("part", "Leave current or specified channel - /part [channel]"),
+        ("msg", "Send private message - /msg <nick> <message>"),
+        ("me", "Send action message - /me <action>"),
+        ("nick", "Change nickname - /nick <newnick>"),
+        ("whois", "Get user information - /whois <nick>"),
+        ("topic", "Get or set channel topic - /topic [newtopic]"),
+        ("kick", "Kick user from channel - /kick <user> [reason]"),
+        ("away", "Set away status - /away [message]"),
+        ("quit", "Disconnect from server - /quit [message]"),
+    ]
+    
     # Default kaomoji groups
     KAOMOJI_GROUPS = {
         "Happy": [
@@ -245,6 +417,7 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
         self.history = []
         self.history_pos = -1
         self.current_popup = None
+        self.command_popup = None
         
         # Search state
         self.search_text = ""
@@ -262,10 +435,10 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
         """Initialize the UI components."""
         sizer = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
         
-        # Text display
+        # Text display - use TE_RICH2 for styled text support (especially on Windows)
         self.text_ctrl = wx.TextCtrl(
             self, 
-            style=wx.TE_READONLY | wx.TE_MULTILINE | wx.TE_AUTO_URL
+            style=wx.TE_READONLY | wx.TE_MULTILINE | wx.TE_AUTO_URL | wx.TE_RICH2
         )
         self.text_ctrl.SetFont(self._load_system_font())
         self._apply_theme()
@@ -288,6 +461,7 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
         self.input_ctrl.SetHint("Type message here…")
         self.input_ctrl.Bind(wx.EVT_TEXT_ENTER, self.on_send)
         self.input_ctrl.Bind(wx.EVT_KEY_DOWN, self.on_key_down)
+        self.input_ctrl.Bind(wx.EVT_TEXT, self.on_input_text_change)
         
         # Kaomoji button
         random_kaomoji = self._get_random_kaomoji()
@@ -380,14 +554,15 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
         """Thread-safe message addition."""
         try:
             if wx.IsMainThread():
-                self._add_message_safe(message)
+                self._add_message_safe(message, username_color, message_color, bold, italic, underline)
             else:
-                wx.CallAfter(self._add_message_safe, message)
+                wx.CallAfter(self._add_message_safe, message, username_color, message_color, bold, italic, underline)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error in add_message: {e}")
     
-    def _add_message_safe(self, message):
-        """Add message to display (must be called from main thread)."""
+    def _add_message_safe(self, message, username_color=None, message_color=None, 
+                         bold=False, italic=False, underline=False):
+        """Add message to display with formatting (must be called from main thread)."""
         try:
             self.messages.append(message)
             
@@ -396,9 +571,29 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
             current_pos = self.text_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
             at_bottom = (last_pos - current_pos) <= 10
             
-            # Append message
+            # Create text attribute for styling
+            text_attr = wx.TextAttr()
+            if message_color:
+                text_attr.SetTextColour(message_color)
+            else:
+                text_attr.SetTextColour(self.default_text_colour)
+            
+            if bold:
+                pass # i hate bold
+            if italic:
+                text_attr.SetFontStyle(wx.FONTSTYLE_ITALIC)
+            if underline:
+                text_attr.SetUnderlined(True)
+            
+            # Set style and append text
+            self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(text_attr)
             self.text_ctrl.AppendText(message + "\n")
             
+            # Reset to default style
+            default_attr = wx.TextAttr()
+            default_attr.SetTextColour(self.default_text_colour)
+            self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(default_attr)
+            
             # Auto-scroll if at bottom
             if at_bottom:
                 self.text_ctrl.SetInsertionPoint(self.text_ctrl.GetLastPosition())
@@ -409,20 +604,60 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
     
     def add_formatted_message(self, timestamp, username, content, 
                              username_color=None, is_action=False):
-        """Add a formatted IRC message."""
+        """Add a formatted IRC message with colored username."""
         try:
+            # Check if user is at bottom
+            last_pos = self.text_ctrl.GetLastPosition()
+            current_pos = self.text_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
+            at_bottom = (last_pos - current_pos) <= 10
+            
+            # Append timestamp with default color
+            default_attr = wx.TextAttr()
+            default_attr.SetTextColour(self.default_text_colour)
+            self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(default_attr)
+            self.text_ctrl.AppendText(timestamp)
+            
+            # Append action marker or opening bracket
             if is_action:
-                message = f"{timestamp}* {username} {content}"
+                self.text_ctrl.AppendText("* ")
             else:
-                message = f"{timestamp}<{username}> {content}"
-            self.add_message(message)
+                self.text_ctrl.AppendText("<")
+            
+            # Append username with color
+            if username_color:
+                username_attr = wx.TextAttr()
+                username_attr.SetTextColour(username_color)
+                username_attr.SetFontWeight(wx.FONTWEIGHT_BOLD)
+                self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(username_attr)
+            else:
+                default_attr.SetFontWeight(wx.FONTWEIGHT_BOLD)
+                self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(default_attr)
+            
+            self.text_ctrl.AppendText(username)
+            
+            # Append closing bracket and content with default color
+            default_attr.SetFontWeight(wx.FONTWEIGHT_NORMAL)
+            self.text_ctrl.SetDefaultStyle(default_attr)
+            if not is_action:
+                self.text_ctrl.AppendText("> ")
+            else:
+                self.text_ctrl.AppendText(" ")
+            
+            self.text_ctrl.AppendText(content)
+            self.text_ctrl.AppendText("\n")
+            
+            # Auto-scroll if at bottom
+            if at_bottom:
+                self.text_ctrl.SetInsertionPoint(self.text_ctrl.GetLastPosition())
+                self.text_ctrl.ShowPosition(self.text_ctrl.GetLastPosition())
+                
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error adding formatted message: {e}")
     
     def add_system_message(self, message, color=None, bold=False):
-        """Add a system message."""
+        """Add a system message with optional color and bold formatting."""
         try:
-            self.add_message(message)
+            self.add_message(message, message_color=color, bold=bold)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error adding system message: {e}")
     
@@ -467,6 +702,7 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
     def on_send(self, event):
         """Send the current message."""
         try:
+            self._hide_command_popup()  # Hide command popup when sending
             message = self.input_ctrl.GetValue().strip()
             if message and self.target:
                 self.history.append(message)
@@ -476,11 +712,110 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error sending message: {e}")
     
+    def on_input_text_change(self, event):
+        """Handle text changes in input field to show command autocomplete."""
+        try:
+            current_text = self.input_ctrl.GetValue()
+            pos = self.input_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
+            
+            # Check if we're typing a command (starts with /)
+            if current_text.startswith('/') and pos > 0:
+                # Extract the command part (everything after / up to cursor or space)
+                text_before_cursor = current_text[:pos]
+                if ' ' in text_before_cursor:
+                    # Command already has arguments, don't show autocomplete
+                    self._hide_command_popup()
+                    return
+                
+                # Get the command being typed
+                command_part = text_before_cursor[1:]  # Remove the '/'
+                self._show_command_popup(command_part)
+            else:
+                self._hide_command_popup()
+                
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error in text change handler: {e}")
+        event.Skip()
+    
+    def _show_command_popup(self, command_part=""):
+        """Show or update command autocomplete popup."""
+        try:
+            if not self.command_popup or self.command_popup.IsBeingDeleted():
+                # Create new popup
+                self.command_popup = CommandAutocomplete(
+                    self,
+                    self.IRC_COMMANDS,
+                    self.on_command_select
+                )
+                self.command_popup.show_at_input(self.input_ctrl)
+            
+            # Filter commands
+            self.command_popup.filter_commands(command_part)
+            
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error showing command popup: {e}")
+    
+    def _hide_command_popup(self):
+        """Hide command autocomplete popup."""
+        try:
+            if self.command_popup and not self.command_popup.IsBeingDeleted():
+                self.command_popup.safe_dismiss()
+                self.command_popup = None
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error hiding command popup: {e}")
+    
+    def on_command_select(self, command):
+        """Handle command selection from autocomplete."""
+        try:
+            current_text = self.input_ctrl.GetValue()
+            pos = self.input_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
+            
+            # Find the command part (from / to cursor or space)
+            text_before_cursor = current_text[:pos]
+            if text_before_cursor.startswith('/'):
+                # Replace the command part with the selected command
+                if ' ' in text_before_cursor:
+                    # Has arguments, keep them
+                    space_pos = text_before_cursor.find(' ')
+                    new_text = f"/{command}{current_text[space_pos:]}"
+                else:
+                    # No arguments, just replace command
+                    new_text = f"/{command} {current_text[pos:]}"
+                
+                self.input_ctrl.SetValue(new_text)
+                # Position cursor after command and space
+                new_pos = len(f"/{command} ")
+                self.input_ctrl.SetInsertionPoint(new_pos)
+                self.input_ctrl.SetFocus()
+            
+            self._hide_command_popup()
+            
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error selecting command: {e}")
+    
     def on_key_down(self, event):
         """Handle input field keyboard events."""
         try:
             keycode = event.GetKeyCode()
             
+            # Handle command popup navigation
+            if self.command_popup and not self.command_popup.IsBeingDeleted() and self.command_popup.IsShown():
+                if keycode == wx.WXK_UP:
+                    self.command_popup.select_previous()
+                    return  # Don't skip, handled
+                elif keycode == wx.WXK_DOWN:
+                    self.command_popup.select_next()
+                    return  # Don't skip, handled
+                elif keycode == wx.WXK_RETURN or keycode == wx.WXK_NUMPAD_ENTER:
+                    # If popup is shown, select command instead of sending
+                    cmd = self.command_popup.get_selected_command()
+                    if cmd:
+                        self.on_command_select(cmd)
+                    return  # Don't skip, handled
+                elif keycode == wx.WXK_ESCAPE:
+                    self._hide_command_popup()
+                    return  # Don't skip, handled
+            
             if keycode == wx.WXK_UP:
                 self._navigate_history_up()
             elif keycode == wx.WXK_DOWN:
@@ -517,20 +852,47 @@ class IRCPanel(wx.Panel):
             self.input_ctrl.Clear()
     
     def handle_tab_completion(self):
-        """Handle nickname tab completion."""
+        """Handle tab completion for commands and nicknames."""
         try:
             current_text = self.input_ctrl.GetValue()
-            if not current_text or not self.target or not self.target.startswith('#'):
+            if not current_text:
+                return
+            
+            pos = self.input_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
+            text_before = current_text[:pos]
+            
+            # Check if we're completing a command (starts with / and no space yet)
+            if text_before.startswith('/') and ' ' not in text_before:
+                command_part = text_before[1:]  # Remove the '/'
+                matches = [cmd for cmd, _ in self.IRC_COMMANDS if cmd.lower().startswith(command_part.lower())]
+                
+                if len(matches) == 1:
+                    # Single match - complete it
+                    new_text = f"/{matches[0]} {current_text[pos:]}"
+                    self.input_ctrl.SetValue(new_text)
+                    self.input_ctrl.SetInsertionPoint(len(f"/{matches[0]} "))
+                elif len(matches) > 1:
+                    # Multiple matches - show autocomplete popup or status
+                    if not self.command_popup or self.command_popup.IsBeingDeleted():
+                        self._show_command_popup(command_part)
+                    else:
+                        # Update existing popup
+                        self.command_popup.filter_commands(command_part)
+                    display = ', '.join(matches[:5])
+                    if len(matches) > 5:
+                        display += '...'
+                    self.main_frame.SetStatusText(f"Tab completion: {display}")
+                return
+            
+            # Otherwise, try nickname completion (only in channels)
+            if not self.target or not self.target.startswith('#'):
                 return
             
             users = self.main_frame.channel_users.get(self.target, [])
             if not users:
                 return
             
-            pos = self.input_ctrl.GetInsertionPoint()
-            text_before = current_text[:pos]
             words = text_before.split()
-            
             if not words:
                 return
             
diff --git a/src/main.py b/src/main.py
index 8228315..b220612 100644
--- a/src/main.py
+++ b/src/main.py
@@ -1059,38 +1059,76 @@ Available commands:
                 user_color = self.get_user_color(self.nick)
                 timestamp = self.get_timestamp()
                 self.channels[target].add_formatted_message(timestamp, self.nick, args, user_color, is_action=True)
-            elif cmd == "nick" and self.is_connected():
-                self.connection.nick(args)
-            elif cmd == "join" and self.is_connected():
-                if args and not args.startswith('#'):
-                    args = '#' + args
-                self.connection.join(args)
-            elif cmd == "part" and self.is_connected():
-                channel = args if args else target
-                self.connection.part(channel)
-            elif cmd == "quit" and self.is_connected():
-                reason = args if args else "Goodbye"
-                self.connection.quit(reason)
-            elif cmd == "msg" and self.is_connected():
-                nick_msg = args.split(' ', 1)
-                if len(nick_msg) == 2:
-                    self.connection.privmsg(nick_msg[0], nick_msg[1])
-            elif cmd == "whois" and self.is_connected():
-                self.connection.whois([args])
-            elif cmd == "kick" and self.is_connected():
-                kick_args = args.split(' ', 1)
-                user = kick_args[0]
-                reason = kick_args[1] if len(kick_args) > 1 else "Kicked"
-                self.connection.kick(target, user, reason)
-            elif cmd == "topic" and self.is_connected():
-                if args:
-                    self.connection.topic(target, args)
+            elif cmd == "nick":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    self.connection.nick(args)
                 else:
-                    self.connection.topic(target)
-            elif cmd == "away" and self.is_connected():
-                self.connection.send_raw(f"AWAY :{args}" if args else "AWAY")
-                self.away = bool(args)
-                self.safe_ui_update(self.away_item.Check, self.away)
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot change nickname.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "join":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    if not args:
+                        self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Usage: /join <channel>", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+                    else:
+                        if not args.startswith('#'):
+                            args = '#' + args
+                        self.connection.join(args)
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot join channel.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "part":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    channel = args if args else target
+                    self.connection.part(channel)
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot part channel.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "quit":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    reason = args if args else "Goodbye"
+                    self.connection.quit(reason)
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "msg":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    nick_msg = args.split(' ', 1)
+                    if len(nick_msg) == 2:
+                        self.connection.privmsg(nick_msg[0], nick_msg[1])
+                    else:
+                        self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Usage: /msg <nick> <message>", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot send private message.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "whois":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    if args:
+                        self.connection.whois([args])
+                    else:
+                        self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Usage: /whois <nick>", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot perform WHOIS.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "kick":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    if args:
+                        kick_args = args.split(' ', 1)
+                        user = kick_args[0]
+                        reason = kick_args[1] if len(kick_args) > 1 else "Kicked"
+                        self.connection.kick(target, user, reason)
+                    else:
+                        self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Usage: /kick <user> [reason]", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot kick user.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "topic":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    if args:
+                        self.connection.topic(target, args)
+                    else:
+                        self.connection.topic(target)
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot get/set topic.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
+            elif cmd == "away":
+                if self.is_connected():
+                    self.connection.send_raw(f"AWAY :{args}" if args else "AWAY")
+                    self.away = bool(args)
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.away_item.Check, self.away)
+                else:
+                    self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Not connected. Cannot set away status.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
             else:
                 self.safe_ui_update(self.log_server, f"Unknown command: {cmd}. Use /help for available commands.", wx.Colour(255, 0, 0))
         except Exception as e: