diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..319920b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# progress
+it works nicely when there isn't spamming going on.
+
+if spamming:
+when pressing g while a message is being received the calculation messes up and the first shown message is actually the 2nd or 3rd
+when pressing G while a message is being received a message or two will be missing, im suspecting this happens because of the ToInsert gets written to the db but we already fetched from the db so ToInsert is empty even tho we haven't appened it yet. (same thing happens when going down with d)
+-- potential fixes
+ - save stuff to db message by message (this is slow as shit, but maybe goroutines could do something here ???)
+ - same way of throttling the message receiving when a key is pressed such as g, G, d or etc..
+ - maybe there's a way to optimize the readfromdb cmd, maybe the pointer stuff is slowing it down. idk
+ - last resort is making this whole feature an option for people that know they have slow chats and want to keep the program open for days (idk)
diff --git a/cmds/cmds.go b/cmds/cmds.go
index e3fe67c..40e9503 100644
--- a/cmds/cmds.go
+++ b/cmds/cmds.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/irc"
+	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/irc/commands"
 )
 
 type ConnectMsg struct{}
@@ -40,6 +41,15 @@ func Quit(client *irc.Client) tea.Cmd {
 	}
 }
 
+type TickMsg struct{}
+
+func Tick(client *irc.Client) tea.Cmd {
+	return tea.Tick(time.Second/60, func(time.Time) tea.Msg {
+		client.SendCommand(commands.PRIVMSG, "#hell", fmt.Sprintf("%d", client.Ticks))
+		return TickMsg{}
+	})
+}
+
 type SendPrivMsgMsg struct {
 	Msg       string
 	Timestamp string
@@ -74,3 +84,132 @@ type UpdateTabBarMsg struct{}
 func UpdateTabBar() tea.Msg {
 	return UpdateTabBarMsg{}
 }
+
+type ReadHistoryFromDBMsg struct {
+	LinesRead uint64
+	Direction string
+}
+
+func ReadHistoryFromDB(client *irc.Client, linesToRead int, direction string) tea.Cmd {
+	hash := client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].Hash
+	scrollBackBufFirstLine := client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine
+
+	messages := make([]string, 0)
+
+	switch direction {
+	case "top":
+		client.DB.
+			Table("histories").
+			Select("message").
+			Where("hash = ?", hash).
+			Limit(linesToRead).
+			Scan(&messages).
+			Order("line ASC")
+
+		// set the new messages
+		copy(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, messages)
+		// adjust the scrollback buf first line
+		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine = 1
+
+		return func() tea.Msg {
+			return ReadHistoryFromDBMsg{
+				LinesRead: 0,
+				Direction: "top",
+			}
+		}
+	case "up":
+		limit := linesToRead
+		linesToGet := 0
+
+		if linesToRead > int(scrollBackBufFirstLine) {
+			limit = int(scrollBackBufFirstLine) - 1
+			linesToGet = int(scrollBackBufFirstLine) - limit
+		} else {
+			linesToGet = int(scrollBackBufFirstLine) - linesToRead
+		}
+
+		client.DB.
+			Table("histories").
+			Select("message").
+			Where("hash = ? AND line >= ?", hash, linesToGet).
+			Limit(limit).
+			Scan(&messages).
+			Order("line ASC")
+
+		if len(messages) != 0 {
+			// prepend to the scroll back buf
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = append(messages, client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf...)
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf[:irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX]
+			// adjust the scrollback buf first line
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine -= uint64(limit)
+
+			return func() tea.Msg {
+				return ReadHistoryFromDBMsg{
+					LinesRead: uint64(limit),
+					Direction: "up",
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	case "down":
+		client.DB.
+			Table("histories").
+			Select("message").
+			Where("hash = ? AND line >= ?", hash, client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine+irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX).
+			Limit(linesToRead).
+			Scan(&messages).
+			Order("line ASC")
+		linesGot := len(messages)
+		if len(messages) != 0 {
+			extraMessagesLen := 0
+			// append to the scroll back buf
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = append(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, messages...)
+			// if we reached the end of the messages in the db. try appending the messages in the ToInsert buffer
+			if linesGot < linesToRead {
+				for _, history := range client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ToInsert {
+					client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = append(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, history.Message)
+				}
+				extraMessagesLen = len(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ToInsert)
+			}
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf[len(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf)-irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX:]
+			// adjust the scrollback buf first line
+			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine += uint64(linesGot) + uint64(extraMessagesLen)
+
+			return func() tea.Msg {
+				return ReadHistoryFromDBMsg{
+					LinesRead: uint64(linesGot) + uint64(extraMessagesLen),
+					Direction: "down",
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	case "bottom":
+		client.DB.Raw("SELECT t.message FROM (SELECT line, message FROM histories WHERE hash = ? ORDER BY line DESC LIMIT ?) t ORDER BY t.line ASC;", hash, linesToRead).
+			Scan(&messages)
+
+		toInsert := make([]string, 0)
+
+		for _, history := range client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ToInsert {
+			toInsert = append(toInsert, history.Message)
+		}
+
+		// set the new messages
+		copy(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, messages)
+		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = append(client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, toInsert...)
+		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf = client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf[len(toInsert):]
+		// adjust the scrollback buf first line
+		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBufFirstLine = client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].TotalLines - irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX + uint64(len(toInsert))
+
+		return func() tea.Msg {
+			return ReadHistoryFromDBMsg{
+				LinesRead: 0,
+				Direction: "bottom",
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return func() tea.Msg {
+		return ReadHistoryFromDBMsg{
+			LinesRead: 0,
+			Direction: "unknown",
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/db/db.go b/db/db.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0385e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/db.go
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+package db
+
+import (
+	"gorm.io/driver/sqlite"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
+	"gorm.io/gorm/logger"
+)
+
+type History struct {
+	Hash    string `gorm:"index"`
+	Line    uint64 `gorm:"index" gorm:"unique"`
+	Message string
+}
+
+func ConnectToDB() (*gorm.DB, error) {
+	db, err := gorm.Open(sqlite.Open("gorc.db"), &gorm.Config{
+		Logger:            logger.Default.LogMode(logger.Silent),
+		AllowGlobalUpdate: true,
+	})
+
+	db.AutoMigrate(&History{})
+	db.Delete(&History{})
+
+	return db, err
+}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 0b71d2d..c47386a 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@ require (
 	github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss v0.4.0
 	github.com/containerd/console v1.0.3 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-isatty v0.0.14 // indirect
+	github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.13 // indirect
 	github.com/muesli/ansi v0.0.0-20211031195517-c9f0611b6c70 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20220114195835-da31bd327af9 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20210927222741-03fcf44c2211 // indirect
+	gorm.io/driver/sqlite v1.3.4
+	gorm.io/gorm v1.23.6 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 451d67b..5634629 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -8,6 +8,13 @@ github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss v0.4.0/go.mod h1:vmdkHvce7UzX6xkyf4cca8WlwdQ5R
 github.com/containerd/console v1.0.2/go.mod h1:ytZPjGgY2oeTkAONYafi2kSj0aYggsf8acV1PGKCbzQ=
 github.com/containerd/console v1.0.3 h1:lIr7SlA5PxZyMV30bDW0MGbiOPXwc63yRuCP0ARubLw=
 github.com/containerd/console v1.0.3/go.mod h1:7LqA/THxQ86k76b8c/EMSiaJ3h1eZkMkXar0TQ1gf3U=
+github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
+github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
+github.com/jinzhu/inflection v1.0.0 h1:K317FqzuhWc8YvSVlFMCCUb36O/S9MCKRDI7QkRKD/E=
+github.com/jinzhu/inflection v1.0.0/go.mod h1:h+uFLlag+Qp1Va5pdKtLDYj+kHp5pxUVkryuEj+Srlc=
+github.com/jinzhu/now v1.1.4/go.mod h1:d3SSVoowX0Lcu0IBviAWJpolVfI5UJVZZ7cO71lE/z8=
+github.com/jinzhu/now v1.1.5 h1:/o9tlHleP7gOFmsnYNz3RGnqzefHA47wQpKrrdTIwXQ=
+github.com/jinzhu/now v1.1.5/go.mod h1:d3SSVoowX0Lcu0IBviAWJpolVfI5UJVZZ7cO71lE/z8=
 github.com/kylelemons/godebug v1.1.0/go.mod h1:9/0rRGxNHcop5bhtWyNeEfOS8JIWk580+fNqagV/RAw=
 github.com/lucasb-eyer/go-colorful v1.2.0 h1:1nnpGOrhyZZuNyfu1QjKiUICQ74+3FNCN69Aj6K7nkY=
 github.com/lucasb-eyer/go-colorful v1.2.0/go.mod h1:R4dSotOR9KMtayYi1e77YzuveK+i7ruzyGqttikkLy0=
@@ -18,6 +25,10 @@ github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.10/go.mod h1:RAqKPSqVFrSLVXbA8x7dzmKdmGzieGRC
 github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.12/go.mod h1:RAqKPSqVFrSLVXbA8x7dzmKdmGzieGRCM46jaSJTDAk=
 github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.13 h1:lTGmDsbAYt5DmK6OnoV7EuIF1wEIFAcxld6ypU4OSgU=
 github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.13/go.mod h1:Jdepj2loyihRzMpdS35Xk/zdY8IAYHsh153qUoGf23w=
+github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.12 h1:TJ1bhYJPV44phC+IMu1u2K/i5RriLTPe+yc68XDJ1Z0=
+github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.12/go.mod h1:NyWgC/yNuGj7Q9rpYnZvas74GogHl5/Z4A/KQRfk6bU=
+github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.13 h1:1tj15ngiFfcZzii7yd82foL+ks+ouQcj8j/TPq3fk1I=
+github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.13/go.mod h1:NyWgC/yNuGj7Q9rpYnZvas74GogHl5/Z4A/KQRfk6bU=
 github.com/muesli/ansi v0.0.0-20211018074035-2e021307bc4b/go.mod h1:fQuZ0gauxyBcmsdE3ZT4NasjaRdxmbCS0jRHsrWu3Ho=
 github.com/muesli/ansi v0.0.0-20211031195517-c9f0611b6c70 h1:kMlmsLSbjkikxQJ1IPwaM+7LJ9ltFu/fi8CRzvSnQmA=
 github.com/muesli/ansi v0.0.0-20211031195517-c9f0611b6c70/go.mod h1:fQuZ0gauxyBcmsdE3ZT4NasjaRdxmbCS0jRHsrWu3Ho=
@@ -27,10 +38,13 @@ github.com/muesli/reflow v0.3.0/go.mod h1:pbwTDkVPibjO2kyvBQRBxTWEEGDGq0FlB1BIKt
 github.com/muesli/termenv v0.9.0 h1:wnbOaGz+LUR3jNT0zOzinPnyDaCZUQRZj9GxK8eRVl8=
 github.com/muesli/termenv v0.9.0/go.mod h1:R/LzAKf+suGs4IsO95y7+7DpFHO0KABgnZqtlyx2mBw=
 github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1/go.mod h1:bwawxfHBFNV+L2hUp1rHADufV3IMtnDRdf1r5NINEl0=
+github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0/go.mod h1:iKH77koFhYxTK1pcRnkKkqfTogsbg7gZNVY4sRDYZ/4=
 github.com/rivo/uniseg v0.1.0/go.mod h1:J6wj4VEh+S6ZtnVlnTBMWIodfgj8LQOQFoIToxlJtxc=
 github.com/rivo/uniseg v0.2.0 h1:S1pD9weZBuJdFmowNwbpi7BJ8TNftyUImj/0WQi72jY=
 github.com/rivo/uniseg v0.2.0/go.mod h1:J6wj4VEh+S6ZtnVlnTBMWIodfgj8LQOQFoIToxlJtxc=
 github.com/sahilm/fuzzy v0.1.0/go.mod h1:VFvziUEIMCrT6A6tw2RFIXPXXmzXbOsSHF0DOI8ZK9Y=
+github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0/go.mod h1:HFkY916IF+rwdDfMAkV7OtwuqBVzrE8GR6GFx+wExME=
+github.com/stretchr/testify v1.7.0/go.mod h1:6Fq8oRcR53rry900zMqJjRRixrwX3KX962/h/Wwjteg=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200116001909-b77594299b42/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20201119102817-f84b799fce68/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210119212857-b64e53b001e4/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
@@ -42,3 +56,11 @@ golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20220114195835-da31bd327af9/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBc
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20210422114643-f5beecf764ed/go.mod h1:bj7SfCRtBDWHUb9snDiAeCFNEtKQo2Wmx5Cou7ajbmo=
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20210927222741-03fcf44c2211 h1:JGgROgKl9N8DuW20oFS5gxc+lE67/N3FcwmBPMe7ArY=
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20210927222741-03fcf44c2211/go.mod h1:jbD1KX2456YbFQfuXm/mYQcufACuNUgVhRMnK/tPxf8=
+gopkg.in/check.v1 v0.0.0-20161208181325-20d25e280405/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
+gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.0-20200313102051-9f266ea9e77c/go.mod h1:K4uyk7z7BCEPqu6E+C64Yfv1cQ7kz7rIZviUmN+EgEM=
+gorm.io/driver/sqlite v1.3.4 h1:NnFOPVfzi4CPsJPH4wXr6rMkPb4ElHEqKMvrsx9c9Fk=
+gorm.io/driver/sqlite v1.3.4/go.mod h1:B+8GyC9K7VgzJAcrcXMRPdnMcck+8FgJynEehEPM16U=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.23.4 h1:1BKWM67O6CflSLcwGQR7ccfmC4ebOxQrTfOQGRE9wjg=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.23.4/go.mod h1:l2lP/RyAtc1ynaTjFksBde/O8v9oOGIApu2/xRitmZk=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.23.6 h1:KFLdNgri4ExFFGTRGGFWON2P1ZN28+9SJRN8voOoYe0=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.23.6/go.mod h1:l2lP/RyAtc1ynaTjFksBde/O8v9oOGIApu2/xRitmZk=
diff --git a/irc/client.go b/irc/client.go
index 1e7b875..9ff54cd 100644
--- a/irc/client.go
+++ b/irc/client.go
@@ -26,8 +26,10 @@ import (
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
+	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/db"
 	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/irc/commands"
 	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/ui"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
 )
 
 type User struct {
@@ -42,8 +44,26 @@ type Channel struct {
 	// Channel topic
 	Topic string
 
-	// Channel messages history
-	History string
+	// Scrollback buffer for the channel message history
+	ScrollBackBuf []string
+
+	// Whethere the viewport is at the bottom or not
+	AtBottom bool
+
+	// Total amount of lines that have been received from the tcp conn
+	// and written to the history db
+	TotalLines uint64
+
+	// Buffer of messages that need to be inserted into the db
+	ToInsert []db.History
+
+	// Position/Index of first line in the scrollback buffer as mapped
+	// to TotalLines.
+	// Last line is ScrollBackBufFirstLine + SCROLLBACK_MAX - 1
+	ScrollBackBufFirstLine uint64
+
+	// Unique sha1 hash for the channel made from server hostname and channel name
+	Hash string
 
 	// Users in this channel
 	// The map key is the user's nickname
@@ -77,6 +97,12 @@ type Client struct {
 	// Reference to the bubbletea program
 	Tea *tea.Program
 
+	// TODO: remove this
+	Ticks int
+
+	// DB reference
+	DB *gorm.DB
+
 	// Index of the first visible tab in the tab bar
 	FirstTabIndexInTabBar int
 
@@ -96,9 +122,12 @@ var serverMsgStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ServerMsgColor)
 var timestampStyle = serverMsgStyle.Copy()
 var dateStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.DateColor)
 
-const CRLF = "\r\n"
+const (
+	CRLF           = "\r\n"
+	SCROLLBACK_MAX = 400
+)
 
-func (c *Channel) AppendMsg(timestamp string, fullMsg string, opts MsgFmtOpts) {
+func (c *Channel) AppendMsg(host string, database *gorm.DB, timestamp string, fullMsg string, opts MsgFmtOpts) {
 	prefixes := ""
 	style := ui.DefaultStyle
 
@@ -119,7 +148,32 @@ func (c *Channel) AppendMsg(timestamp string, fullMsg string, opts MsgFmtOpts) {
 		style = dateStyle
 	}
 
-	c.History += prefixes + style.Render(fullMsg) + CRLF
+	finalMsg := prefixes + style.Render(fullMsg)
+
+	c.TotalLines++
+
+	history := db.History{Hash: c.Hash, Line: c.TotalLines, Message: finalMsg}
+	c.ToInsert = append(c.ToInsert, history)
+
+	if c.TotalLines%10 == 0 {
+		database.Create(c.ToInsert)
+		c.ToInsert = nil
+	}
+
+	if len(c.ScrollBackBuf) < SCROLLBACK_MAX {
+		c.ScrollBackBuf = append(c.ScrollBackBuf, prefixes+style.Render(fullMsg))
+		// We haven't reached the bottom yet so the first line is still 1
+		c.ScrollBackBufFirstLine = 1
+	} else if c.AtBottom && len(c.ScrollBackBuf) >= SCROLLBACK_MAX {
+		// TODO: when pressing 'g' in viewport, we need to set this to 1
+		// TODO: when pressing 'G' in viewport, we need to set this to TotalLines - 1000 + 1
+		// TODO: when going up in viewport, we need to decrement the amount of lines by how many lines we need to prepend to the scrollbackbuf
+		// TODO: when going down in viewport, we need to increment the amount of lines by how many lines we need to append to the scrollbackbuf
+		// If we're at bottom and we're appending a line, then we increment the first line
+		c.ScrollBackBufFirstLine++
+		c.ScrollBackBuf = append(c.ScrollBackBuf, prefixes+style.Render(fullMsg))
+		c.ScrollBackBuf = c.ScrollBackBuf[1:]
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *Client) Initialize(host string, port string, tlsEnabled bool) {
@@ -138,6 +192,7 @@ func (s *Client) Initialize(host string, port string, tlsEnabled bool) {
 		s.Port = port
 		s.ActiveChannel = host
 		s.Channels = make([]Channel, 0)
+		s.Ticks = 1
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -156,6 +211,7 @@ func (s *Client) Initialize(host string, port string, tlsEnabled bool) {
 	s.Port = port
 	s.ActiveChannel = host
 	s.Channels = make([]Channel, 0)
+	s.Ticks = 1
 }
 
 func (c *Client) Register(nick string, password string, channel string) {
@@ -188,7 +244,7 @@ func (c *Client) SetDay() {
 
 	now := time.Now()
 	msg := fmt.Sprintf("————— %s %d —————", now.Month().String(), now.Day())
-	c.Channels[0].AppendMsg("", msg, msgOpts)
+	c.Channels[0].AppendMsg(c.Host, c.DB, "", msg, msgOpts)
 
 	// TODO: append new day to each channel whenever the day changes
 }
diff --git a/irc/handler/handler.go b/irc/handler/handler.go
index 937e342..226e6f1 100644
--- a/irc/handler/handler.go
+++ b/irc/handler/handler.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package handler
 
 import (
 	"bufio"
+	"crypto/sha1"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"log"
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ func handlePrivMsg(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 
 	for i, c := range client.Channels {
 		if c.Name == channel {
-			client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, privMsg, msgOpts)
+			client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, privMsg, msgOpts)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -86,13 +87,24 @@ func handleJoin(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 	}
 
 	if nick == client.Nickname {
+		for _, regChannel := range client.Channels {
+			if regChannel.Name == channel {
+				client.Tea.Send(cmds.SwitchChannels())
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		hash := sha1.New()
+		hash.Write([]byte(client.Host + " " + channel))
+		hashStr := fmt.Sprintf("%x", hash.Sum(nil))
+
 		client.Channels = append(client.Channels, irc.Channel{
 			Name:  channel,
 			Users: make(map[string]irc.User),
+			Hash:  hashStr,
 		})
 		client.ActiveChannelIndex = len(client.Channels) - 1
 		client.ActiveChannel = channel
-		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, joinMsg, msgOpts)
+		client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, joinMsg, msgOpts)
 		if _, exists := client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].Users[nick]; !exists {
 			client.Channels[client.ActiveChannelIndex].Users[nick] = irc.User{}
 		}
@@ -100,7 +112,7 @@ func handleJoin(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 	} else {
 		for i, c := range client.Channels {
 			if c.Name == channel {
-				client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, joinMsg, msgOpts)
+				client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, joinMsg, msgOpts)
 				if _, exists := client.Channels[i].Users[nick]; !exists {
 					client.Channels[i].Users[nick] = irc.User{}
 				}
@@ -128,7 +140,7 @@ func handleQuit(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		if i == 0 {
 			continue
 		}
-		client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, quitMsg, msgOpts)
+		client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, quitMsg, msgOpts)
 		delete(client.Channels[i].Users, nick)
 	}
 
@@ -160,7 +172,7 @@ func handlePart(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 				}
 				client.LastTabIndexInTabBar--
 			} else {
-				client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, partMsg, msgOpts)
+				client.Channels[i].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, partMsg, msgOpts)
 				delete(client.Channels[i].Users, nick)
 			}
 		}
@@ -180,7 +192,7 @@ func handleWELCOME(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 
 	// set server-registered nickname
 	client.Nickname = nick
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, welcomeMsg, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, welcomeMsg, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleYOURHOST(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -191,7 +203,7 @@ func handleYOURHOST(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, host, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, host, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleCREATED(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -202,7 +214,7 @@ func handleCREATED(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, created, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, created, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleMYINFO(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -213,7 +225,7 @@ func handleMYINFO(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, info, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, info, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLUSERCLIENT(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -224,7 +236,7 @@ func handleLUSERCLIENT(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLUSEROP(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -235,7 +247,7 @@ func handleLUSEROP(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLUSERUNKNOWN(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -246,7 +258,7 @@ func handleLUSERUNKNOWN(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLUSERCHANNELS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -257,7 +269,7 @@ func handleLUSERCHANNELS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLUSERME(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -268,7 +280,7 @@ func handleLUSERME(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleLOCALUSERS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -279,7 +291,7 @@ func handleLOCALUSERS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleGLOBALUSERS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -290,7 +302,7 @@ func handleGLOBALUSERS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISUSER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -312,8 +324,8 @@ func handleWHOISUSER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		realName,
 	)
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, "WHOIS Information", msgOpts)
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, "WHOIS Information", msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISSERVER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -331,7 +343,7 @@ func handleWHOISSERVER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		serverInfo,
 	)
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISIDLE(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -355,7 +367,7 @@ func handleWHOISIDLE(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		idleSeconds,
 		since.Format(time.ANSIC),
 	)
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleENDOFWHOIS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -366,7 +378,7 @@ func handleENDOFWHOIS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISCHANNELS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -379,7 +391,7 @@ func handleWHOISCHANNELS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 
 	message := fmt.Sprintf("channels: %s", chans)
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleNAMREPLY(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -420,7 +432,7 @@ func handleMOTDStart(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleMOTD(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -431,7 +443,7 @@ func handleMOTD(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, messageLine, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, messageLine, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISHOST(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -442,7 +454,7 @@ func handleWHOISHOST(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleWHOISMODES(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -453,7 +465,7 @@ func handleWHOISMODES(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleNOSUCHSERVER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -464,7 +476,7 @@ func handleNOSUCHSERVER(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleNONICKNAMEGIVEN(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -475,7 +487,7 @@ func handleNONICKNAMEGIVEN(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleNEEDMOREPARAMS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -486,7 +498,7 @@ func handleNEEDMOREPARAMS(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func handleALREADYREGISTERED(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -497,7 +509,7 @@ func handleALREADYREGISTERED(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 		AsServerMsg:   true,
 	}
 
-	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
+	client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, message, msgOpts)
 }
 
 func HandleCommand(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
@@ -589,7 +601,7 @@ func HandleCommand(msg parser.IRCMessage, client *irc.Client) {
 			NotImpl:       true,
 		}
 
-		client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, fullMsg, msgOpts)
+		client.Channels[0].AppendMsg(client.Host, client.DB, msg.Timestamp, fullMsg, msgOpts)
 	}
 
 	// send a receivedIRCmsg tea message so the ui can update
diff --git a/irc/handler/slash.go b/irc/handler/slash.go
index 9a5073d..db990b9 100644
--- a/irc/handler/slash.go
+++ b/irc/handler/slash.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package handler
 
 import (
+	"log"
 	"strings"
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
@@ -25,24 +26,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/irc/commands"
 )
 
-func handleSlashJoin(params []string, client *irc.Client) tea.Cmd {
-	channel := ""
-	if len(params) > 0 {
-		channel = params[0]
-	}
-
-	for i, c := range client.Channels {
-		if c.Name == channel {
-			client.ActiveChannelIndex = i
-			client.ActiveChannel = channel
-			return cmds.SwitchChannels
-		}
-	}
-	client.SendCommand(commands.JOIN, params...)
-
-	return cmds.SwitchChannels
-}
-
 func HandleSlashCommand(msg string, client *irc.Client) tea.Cmd {
 	substrs := strings.Fields(msg[1:])
 	command := strings.ToUpper(substrs[0])
@@ -53,10 +36,14 @@ func HandleSlashCommand(msg string, client *irc.Client) tea.Cmd {
 
 	switch command {
 	case commands.JOIN:
-		return handleSlashJoin(params, client)
+		client.SendCommand(commands.JOIN, params...)
+		return cmds.SwitchChannels
 	case commands.QUIT:
 		client.SendCommand(command, params...)
 		return cmds.Quit(client)
+	case "TEST":
+		log.Println("running the spammer")
+		return cmds.Tick(client)
 	default:
 		client.SendCommand(command, params...)
 		return nil
diff --git a/irc/parser/parser.go b/irc/parser/parser.go
index c2f8fa0..b9cd7a1 100644
--- a/irc/parser/parser.go
+++ b/irc/parser/parser.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ type Tags map[string]string
 func (m *IRCMessage) setTimestamp() {
 	// TODO: get timestamp from time tag
 	now := time.Now()
-	m.Timestamp = fmt.Sprintf("[%02d:%02d]", now.Hour(), now.Minute())
+	m.Timestamp = fmt.Sprintf("[%02d:%02d:%02d.%03d]", now.Hour(), now.Minute(), now.Second(), now.Nanosecond()/1000000)
 }
 
 func parseTags(rawTags string) Tags {
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 154981b..657a511 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"log"
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/db"
 	"github.com/illusionman1212/gorc/ui/app"
 )
 
@@ -32,7 +33,13 @@ func main() {
 		tea.WithMouseCellMotion(),
 	)
 
+	db, err := db.ConnectToDB()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
 	gorc.Client.Tea = p
+	gorc.Client.DB = db
 
 	f, err := tea.LogToFile("gorc.log", "gorc")
 	defer f.Close()
diff --git a/ui/mainscreen/mainscreen.go b/ui/mainscreen/mainscreen.go
index 3eab836..388b2bf 100644
--- a/ui/mainscreen/mainscreen.go
+++ b/ui/mainscreen/mainscreen.go
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ func NewMainScreen(client *irc.Client) State {
 	newViewport := viewport.New(0, 0)
 	newViewport.Wrap = viewport.Wrap
 	newViewport.Style = MessagesStyle.Copy()
+	newViewport.MouseWheelEnabled = false
 
 	return State{
 		Client:                client,
@@ -77,9 +78,25 @@ func (s State) Update(msg tea.Msg) (State, tea.Cmd) {
 	switch msg := msg.(type) {
 	case cmds.ReceivedIRCMsgMsg:
 		wasAtBottom := s.Viewport.AtBottom()
-		s.Viewport.SetContent(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].History)
+		s.Viewport.SetContent(strings.Join(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, "\n"))
 
 		if wasAtBottom {
+			s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AtBottom = true
+			s.Viewport.GotoBottom()
+		} else {
+			s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AtBottom = false
+		}
+		return s, nil
+	case cmds.ReadHistoryFromDBMsg:
+		s.Viewport.SetContent(strings.Join(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, "\n"))
+		switch msg.Direction {
+		case "top":
+			s.Viewport.GotoTop()
+		case "up":
+			s.Viewport.SetYOffset(s.Viewport.YOffset + int(msg.LinesRead))
+		case "down":
+			s.Viewport.SetYOffset(s.Viewport.YOffset - int(msg.LinesRead))
+		case "bottom":
 			s.Viewport.GotoBottom()
 		}
 		return s, nil
@@ -94,17 +111,17 @@ func (s State) Update(msg tea.Msg) (State, tea.Cmd) {
 					WithTimestamp: true,
 				}
 
-				s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AppendMsg(msg.Timestamp, fullMsg, msgOpts)
+				s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AppendMsg(s.Client.Host, s.Client.DB, msg.Timestamp, fullMsg, msgOpts)
 				// TODO: make sure to only append the message to the history if server sends back no errors
 				s.Client.SendCommand(commands.PRIVMSG, s.Client.ActiveChannel, msg.Msg)
-				s.Viewport.SetContent(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].History)
+				s.Viewport.SetContent(strings.Join(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, "\n"))
 				s.Viewport.GotoBottom()
 			}
 		}
 
 		return s, nil
 	case cmds.SwitchChannelsMsg:
-		s.Viewport.SetContent(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].History)
+		s.Viewport.SetContent(strings.Join(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, "\n"))
 		s.Viewport.GotoBottom()
 
 		*s.SidePanel, cmd = s.SidePanel.Update(msg)
@@ -113,6 +130,9 @@ func (s State) Update(msg tea.Msg) (State, tea.Cmd) {
 		s.Client.LastTabIndexInTabBar = len(s.Client.Channels) - 1
 		s.TabRenderingDirection = Left
 		return s, nil
+	case cmds.TickMsg:
+		s.Client.Ticks++
+		return s, cmds.Tick(s.Client)
 	case tea.KeyMsg:
 		key := msg.String()
 		switch key {
@@ -180,11 +200,37 @@ func (s State) Update(msg tea.Msg) (State, tea.Cmd) {
 			return s, cmds.SwitchChannels
 		case "g":
 			if s.FocusIndex == Viewport {
-				s.Viewport.GotoTop()
+				s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AtBottom = false
+				if !s.Viewport.AtTop() {
+					cmdsToProcess = append(cmdsToProcess, cmds.ReadHistoryFromDB(s.Client, irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX, "top"))
+				}
 			}
 		case "G":
 			if s.FocusIndex == Viewport {
-				s.Viewport.GotoBottom()
+				if !s.Viewport.AtBottom() {
+					cmdsToProcess = append(cmdsToProcess, cmds.ReadHistoryFromDB(s.Client, irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX, "bottom"))
+				}
+				s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AtBottom = true
+			}
+		case "j", "k", "d", "u", "f", "b", "up", "down":
+			// TODO: what???
+			// if s.Viewport.AtBottom() {
+			// 	break
+			// }
+
+			if key == "j" || key == "d" || key == "f" || key == "down" {
+				if s.Viewport.ScrollPercent() > 0.5 {
+					excess := s.Viewport.ScrollPercent() - 0.5 + 0.1
+					linesToRead := int(math.Floor(excess * float64(irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX)))
+					cmdsToProcess = append(cmdsToProcess, cmds.ReadHistoryFromDB(s.Client, linesToRead, "down"))
+				}
+			} else {
+				s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].AtBottom = false
+				if s.Viewport.ScrollPercent() < 0.5 && s.Viewport.ScrollPercent() > 0.0 {
+					excess := 0.5 - s.Viewport.ScrollPercent() + 0.1
+					linesToRead := int(math.Floor(excess * float64(irc.SCROLLBACK_MAX)))
+					cmdsToProcess = append(cmdsToProcess, cmds.ReadHistoryFromDB(s.Client, linesToRead, "up"))
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -244,7 +290,7 @@ func (s *State) SetSize(width, height int) {
 	// we need this to render an empty viewport
 	history := ""
 	if len(s.Client.Channels) != 0 {
-		history = s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].History
+		history = strings.Join(s.Client.Channels[s.Client.ActiveChannelIndex].ScrollBackBuf, "\n")
 	}
 
 	// we need to re-set the content because words wrap differently on different sizes