Direct messages
Direct messages (DMs) are conversations with other users that happen outside
of a channel. DMs work well for one-off messages,
usually with just one or two others.
If you find yourself frequently conversing with the same person or group, it
often works better to create a private channel for your
conversations. This lets you organize your discussion into topics, and add or
remove participants as needed.
Send a DM
-
Click the plus () button next
to DIRECT MESSAGES in the left sidebar, or the New direct message
button at the bottom of the app.
-
Start typing the name of the person or group you want to
message, and select their name from the list of suggestions. You can continue
adding as many message recipients as you like.
-
Click on the compose box, or press Tab to compose your message. You
can preview your message before
sending.
-
Click the Send () button, or
use a keyboard shortcut to send your
message.
You can also use the X keyboard shortcut to start a new direct
message conversation.
You can also click on any user in the right sidebar to start composing
a direct message to them. Or open their user card by clicking on
their profile picture or name, and select Send direct message.
-
Tap the Direct messages
( 
)
tab at the bottom of the app.
-
Tap the New DM button at the top of the app to message one person, or
New group DM to message any number of people.
-
Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
select their name from the list of suggestions.
-
(if sending a group DM) Continue adding as many message recipients as you
like. Approve by tapping the checkmark (
) button in the bottom right corner of the app.
-
Compose your message, and tap the send
(
)
button in the bottom right corner of the app.
You can also tap on a user's profile picture or name, and tap the
Send direct message button at the bottom of the app.
Access a DM
If using Zulip in a browser or desktop, there are several ways to access an existing DM conversation.
-
Click on Direct messages near the top of the left sidebar to access
recent DM conversations.
-
Click on any user in the right sidebar.
-
Start typing a user's name in the search bar.
You'll be able to select DMs with that user.
-
Open the compose box, and enter a list of users on the To:
line. Type Ctrl + . to open that conversation.
Find a direct message conversation
- If the DIRECT MESSAGES section in the left sidebar is collapsed, click on
the DIRECT MESSAGES heading to expand it.
- At the bottom of the list of your recent direct messages, click more
conversations. If you don't see this link, you are already viewing all of
your direct message conversations.
- Type the name of a participant in the conversation you're looking for.
Access all DMs
- In the left sidebar, click the Direct message feed
() icon to the right of the
Direct messages label, or use the Shift + P
keyboard shortcut.
- Tap the Direct messages
( )
tab at the bottom of the app.
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