Discourse | 2026-04-02 04:22:19 UTC | #1 > :bookmark: This is a comprehensive guide to the features available in Discourse Chat. > > :person_raising_hand: Required user level: All users Discourse Chat offers a variety of functionalities to enhance user communication within the community. This guide provides an overview of these features and how to make the most of them. ## Summary This reference guide covers: - Types of chat - Accessing and using chat - Chat preferences - Exclusive chat functionalities - Features shared with posts and topics ## Types of chat ### Channels Channels are group chats that can be accessible to all users or restricted to specific members. For example, an open #off-topic channel for all users or a restricted #moderating channel for admins and moderators. A channel with new messages will have a colored dot next to its name: ![chat channel new message](upload://mhMEmzQfI4VNnSk7CvaFNkJPnQ7.png) ### Personal Chats Create Personal Chats using the :heavy_plus_sign: icon next to the Personal Chats header. If in Full-Screen Chat, hover over the header to reveal the icon. User cards also allow initiating chats. ## Accessing chat Provided your community has it enabled, you can access chat by clicking the speech bubble icon next to the search tool at the top of the page. Clicking the icon again will close the chat window. Channels with new messages will show a colored dot: ![chat icon channel new message](upload://pWuoFAp9QY1E4T4spMRrmZc5OM5.png) If you have new messages in Personal Chats, the icon will have a green dot. ## Changing your chat preferences Adjust your chat settings through your [Chat preferences](https://meta.discourse.org/my/preferences/chat), including: - Enabling/disabling chat for your account - Disabling pings from `@all` and `@here` mentions - Changing the desktop notification sound - Chat email frequency (never or when away) - Header activity indicator (all new messages, DMs and mentions, mentions only, or never) - Send shortcut (Enter or Meta+Enter) - Separate sidebar mode for forum and chat - Show thread title prompts ## Functionality exclusive to chats ### Full-Screen Chat Expand the chat window to a full-screen view using the appropriate button. This is useful for a focused chat experience. > :star2: If you use chat often, opening it in full-screen view and pinning the tab in your browser makes for a great and convenient experience. ### Managing Channels Tap on the :pencil2: icon next to Channels in the sidebar to manage channels. Hover over the header if the icon isn't visible. You can star channels to pin them to a "Starred" section for quick access. Configure channel settings (e.g., muting, desktop notifications) by visiting the channel setting page: ![image|499x386, 50%](upload://pbGhhpbaOqsU6FJXSUfN9T1qkyg.png) ![image|523x405, 50%](upload://9HujJfWp79Gwt0GacQnVLvehZP8.png) ![This image displays the settings and configuration options for a channel named "lounge" in a team collaboration or messaging application, including details like the channel description, notification preferences, history retention period, permissions for @mentions, and options to close, delete or leave the channel. (Captioned by AI)|317x500](upload://aTvTnuTYtxOR0BeQzB6eF9gegpW.png) Leave a channel via the About tab in its settings. ### Message Retention Chats are short-lived by default, with messages in channels lasting 90 days. This period can be customized by admins. Personal chats last indefinitely by default. ### Threads When threading is enabled on a channel, replies to a message will create a separate conversation thread. This keeps the main channel tidy while allowing in-depth discussions on specific messages. Admins can enable or disable threading per channel in the channel settings. You can view all threads you participate in via the **My Threads** tab in chat. ### Chat Search Chat includes a built-in search feature that lets you search through messages across channels. Access it via the Search tab in full-screen chat. ### Quote in Topic Share chat messages in a topic by first selecting them — hover over a message, open the more menu (**⋮**), and choose **Select**. Once you've selected the messages you want, click **Quote in Topic** from the selection toolbar. > :information_source: Messages quoted in this manner will remain in the topic indefinitely, even after expiring in chat itself and no longer being available there. ### Reactions React to messages with a range of emoji. Commonly used emoji are pinned, with more available by tapping on the icon to the right. ## Functionality shared with posts and topics ### Bookmarks Bookmark a message by hovering over it and clicking the bookmark icon. These share the same list as regular posts and topics. ### Copy Link Copy a message link via the more menu. Discourse will automatically convert such links into oneboxes. ### Deletion Delete a message through the more menu. The message becomes hidden from other users and flagged for admin/moderator review during the retention period. ### Edit Edit a message using the more menu. The edit will be indicated on the message without showing revision history. ### Flags Flag inappropriate messages through the more menu for moderator attention. ### Insert Date/Time Use the Insert Date/Time tool available in the toolbar for accurate time referencing. This feature requires the Local Dates plugin. ### Oneboxes Links in chat messages form oneboxes similar to regular posts. Right-click links in full-screen chat to open in a new tab. ### Replies Reply to specific messages using the arrow icon in the on-hover menu. In channels with threading enabled, replies will create a new thread. In channels without threading, replies show a preview of the original message above your own. Here's an example of what this looks like: ![Chat Reply](upload://xvwFmCsI0rpsPtjYKWvqb87Qia1.png) ### Search GIFs Tap on the :heavy_plus_sign: icon to the left of the text box to open the toolbar and search for GIFs hosted by GIPHY. ### Uploads Upload files (e.g., images, videos, text files) by selecting "Attach a file" from the toolbar. Supported extensions include .JPG, .PNG, .PDF, .MP4, and more. ### User Cards Access user cards by clicking a name or avatar in chat. Cards allow initiating personal chats unless the user has restricted this in their preferences. > :bulb: Feel free to incorporate or modify this guide for your own community needs. You can copy the raw text of this post from here: https://meta.discourse.org/raw/239695 ------------------------- Moin | 2024-07-04 22:29:27 UTC | #9 [quote="Discourse, post:1, topic:239695"] * [chat-feedback settings ](https://meta.discourse.org/chat/channel/129/chat-feedback/info/settings) * [community settings ](https://meta.discourse.org/chat/channel/168/community/info/settings) * [sidebar-feedback settings ](https://meta.discourse.org/chat/channel/291/sidebar-feedback/info/settings) * [support settings ](https://meta.discourse.org/chat/channel/172/support/info/settings) [/quote] Since those channels are deleted the links do not work anymore ------------------------- sam | 2024-07-05 00:44:26 UTC | #10 I updated with some screenshot, the guide may need some more info though, it was talking about gears and they have been gone for a while now. cc @lindsey @hugh ------------------------- Heliosurge | 2024-11-10 01:59:11 UTC | #11 This looks to be a good desktop guide. However what is the mobile equivalent to hover? Is it just the long press? -------------------------