Motd

Do you mean:

• The motd command, /motd [server-or-nickname], which requests an IRC server's message of the day? The server controls supported target forms, content, and replies.
• The motd script, loaded with /load motd, which displays a local installation's ircII.motd file when newer than the user's ~/.ircII.motd timestamp marker?

These are independent. The built-in command sends a server request; loading the script reads local file timestamps, uses the less pager, and starts an external touch command to update the marker after attempting display. It does not request the IRC server's MOTD or replace the built-in command.

See the individual pages for reply handling, local file locations, dependencies, and limitations.

Source references

• source/commands.c: motd registration and generic protocol sender.
• source/numbers.c: server numeric handling.
• script/motd: local timestamp comparison, pager, and marker update.