Channels (Group Chat)

Real-time group messaging for instant communication

What are Channels?

Channels are real-time group chat rooms where multiple members can communicate instantly. Unlike Community Spaces which are focused on longer-form posts and threaded discussions, Channels are designed for quick, flowing conversations similar to Slack or Discord.

Accessing Channels

Finding Channels

Click on Channels in the main navigation. You'll see:

  • A list of all available channels in the left sidebar
  • The selected channel's message history in the main area
  • Unread message indicators (red badges with counts)
  • A search bar to find specific channels

Auto-Membership

All members of your current account automatically have access to all channels. There's no need to manually join - just click on a channel to start participating.

Sending Messages

How to Send a Message

  1. Click on a channel in the sidebar
  2. Type your message in the text box at the bottom
  3. Use the formatting toolbar for rich text (bold, italic, etc.)
  4. Press Ctrl+Enter or click "Send"

Message Formatting

You can format your messages using the rich text editor:

  • Bold, italic, and underline
  • Bulleted and numbered lists
  • Links to external content
  • @mentions to notify specific users
  • Emoji support

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Ctrl+Enter - Send your message quickly without clicking the button
  • Toolbar Toggle - Show/hide the formatting toolbar

Reading Messages

Message Display

Each message shows:

  • The sender's name and avatar
  • Timestamp of when it was sent
  • The message content
  • Reactions from other members (if any)
  • Edit/delete options (for your own messages)

Unread Messages

Channels with new messages you haven't seen yet will display:

  • A red badge with the unread count
  • Bold channel name in the sidebar

When you open a channel and scroll through the messages, they automatically mark as read.

Auto-Scroll

The channel automatically scrolls to the newest message when:

  • You first open the channel
  • New messages arrive while you're viewing
  • You send a new message

Interacting with Messages

Reacting to Messages

Show quick responses to messages using emoji reactions:

  1. Hover over a message
  2. Click the reaction icon
  3. Choose an emoji from the picker
  4. Your reaction appears below the message

Click on an existing reaction to add yours to the same emoji. Click again to remove your reaction.

Editing Your Messages

Made a typo? You can edit your own messages:

  1. Find your message in the chat
  2. Click the Edit button (three dots menu)
  3. Make your changes in the editor
  4. Click "Update" to save

Edited messages show an "(edited)" indicator so others know it was modified.

Deleting Your Messages

To remove a message you sent:

  1. Click the Delete option in the three dots menu
  2. Confirm the deletion
  3. The message is permanently removed for everyone

Using @Mentions

Mentioning Other Users

Notify specific members by mentioning them in your message:

  1. Type @ followed by the user's name
  2. An autocomplete list appears with matching users
  3. Select the user from the list
  4. The mention appears highlighted in your message

When you mention someone:

  • They receive a notification
  • The mention appears as a clickable link
  • Clicking the mention opens their profile

Learn more about @Mentions

Real-Time Features

Live Message Updates

Channels use real-time technology (ActionCable) to instantly deliver messages:

  • Messages appear immediately for all channel members
  • No need to refresh your browser
  • Edits and deletions update in real-time
  • Reactions appear instantly

Typing Indicators

See when other members are composing messages:

  • A typing indicator appears at the bottom of the channel
  • Shows who is currently typing
  • Disappears when they send or cancel their message

Managing Channels

Creating Channels (Admin/Owner Only)

If you have the appropriate permissions, you can create new channels:

  1. Go to the Channels page
  2. Click "New Channel"
  3. Enter a channel name
  4. Add an optional description
  5. Click "Create Channel"

Editing Channels

Channel creators, admins, and moderators can edit channel details:

  1. Open the channel
  2. Click the Settings or Edit button
  3. Update the name or description
  4. Save your changes

Deleting Channels

Channel creators and account owners can delete channels:

  1. Open the channel
  2. Click the Delete option
  3. Confirm the deletion

Warning: Deleting a channel removes all its messages permanently. This cannot be undone.

Permissions & Roles

Who Can Do What

  • All Members - Send messages, react, edit/delete own messages
  • Moderators - Can edit and delete any message in channels
  • Admins - Can create, edit, and delete channels, plus moderator abilities
  • Owners - Full control over all channels and messages

Learn more about Roles & Permissions

Searching Channels

Finding Channels

Use the search bar in the sidebar to find specific channels:

  • Type the channel name or keywords
  • Results filter as you type
  • Click on a result to open that channel

Searching Messages (Future Feature)

Message search within channels may be added in a future update. Currently, you can scroll through the message history to find specific content.

Best Practices

Communication Tips

  • Keep messages concise and on-topic
  • Use @mentions sparingly - only when you need someone's attention
  • Use reactions for quick acknowledgments instead of short reply messages
  • Be respectful and professional in all communications
  • Use appropriate channels for different topics

Channel Organization

  • Create channels for specific topics or projects
  • Use clear, descriptive channel names
  • Add channel descriptions to explain their purpose
  • Archive or delete inactive channels to keep things organized

Managing Notifications

  • Check unread badges regularly to stay updated
  • Mark channels as read after catching up
  • Use @mentions when you need someone's immediate attention

Mobile and Accessibility

Mobile Experience

Channels work seamlessly on mobile devices:

  • Responsive design adapts to small screens
  • Touch-friendly interface
  • Real-time updates work on mobile
  • Swipe gestures for navigation

Troubleshooting

Messages Not Appearing?

If messages aren't showing up in real-time:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Try refreshing the page
  • Make sure you're viewing the correct channel

Can't Send Messages?

Ensure that:

  • You're logged in
  • You're a member of the current account
  • The channel hasn't been deleted

Unread Counts Stuck?

Try opening the channel and scrolling through the messages. If the count doesn't clear, refresh the page.

Channels vs Direct Messages

Not sure whether to use a channel or send a direct message? Here's a quick guide:

Use Channels When:

  • The conversation involves multiple people
  • The topic is relevant to the whole team/group
  • You want to build shared knowledge
  • The conversation should be searchable by others

Use Direct Messages When:

  • The conversation is private between two people
  • Discussing personal or sensitive topics
  • Having a one-on-one discussion

Learn more about Direct Messaging