What it does
Messages is the in-app conversation space: one-to-one direct messages and named group conversations, with a live-updating thread view. You can send text and file attachments, react with emoji, reply in threads, edit or delete your own messages, and search everything you're part of.
Who it's for
Anyone signed in — learners, faculty, coordinators, and administrators — uses the same Messages page, scoped to your program, institution, or organization so you message people in your own community.
How it works
Starting a conversation. The compose button opens a panel with three options: a direct message (pick one person), a group conversation (pick at least two people), or a channel. You can include an opening message when you create it. Starting a direct message with someone you already message opens the existing conversation instead of creating a duplicate.
Reading and replying. The Messages page shows your conversation list beside the active thread. Unread counts appear per conversation and clear when you open one; new messages arrive in real time without refreshing. The composer keeps a per-conversation draft, so switching conversations doesn't lose what you typed; press Enter to send and Shift+Enter for a new line.
Message actions. You can react to any message with emoji, reply in a side thread to keep discussions organized, and copy message text. You can edit or delete your own messages — edited ones are marked as edited. Owners and admins can also delete others' messages and pin important ones.
Attachments. The composer accepts documents, spreadsheets, images, and medical imaging formats; image attachments show a preview before sending.
Search. A message search dialog finds messages by text across the conversations you participate in.
Personal controls. Each participant can mute a conversation or pin it to the top of their list — these settings affect only you. Anyone can leave a conversation; owners and admins can also archive it.
Before you start
You need to be signed in — there is no separate messaging permission for sending a direct message or starting a group.
Conversations are scoped to your program, institution, or organization context; you can only pick recipients from people in that scope.
A group conversation needs at least two other people; a direct message needs exactly one.
Do this
Open the Messages page (
/messages) → you should see your conversation list next to an empty state or your last open thread.Select the + icon above the conversation list → the New Conversation panel opens with New Direct Message, New Group Chat, and Create Channel tiles.
Select New Direct Message (or New Group Chat) → the Recipients field appears. Search and select one person for a direct message, or at least two for a group.
Optionally enter text in Message (optional), then select Send → you should return to the Messages page with the new conversation open and your message shown in the thread.
To reply, type in the composer field at the bottom of the thread and press Enter to send (Shift+Enter for a new line) → your message appears at the bottom of the thread immediately.
You're done when
✓ The new conversation appears in your conversation list.
✓ Your message shows in the thread, with a delivered or read marker.
✓ Starting a direct message with the same person again opens the existing conversation instead of creating a second one.
Boundaries and limits
A direct message has exactly one other participant; a group conversation requires at least two.
Messages are limited to 10,000 characters.
Attachments are limited to 5 files per message, 10 MB each, and to allowed types (documents, spreadsheets, plain text, images, and DICOM medical imaging); executables and other types are rejected.
Only the sender can edit a message. Deleting others' messages requires the conversation owner or admin role.
Pinning messages is restricted to conversation owners and admins.
Message search returns up to 50 results, covering only conversations where you're an active participant.
Deleted messages are removed from view; the deletion itself is not reversible from the interface.
Messages load 50 at a time as you scroll back through history.
You only see conversations you belong to — there is no browsing of other people's direct messages.
Common questions
Q: Can I message anyone in the system? A: You pick recipients from a people search scoped to your context (program, institution, or organization); people outside that scope don't appear.
Q: I started a DM with someone I already message — did I create a duplicate? A: No. The platform detects the existing direct message in the same context and opens it instead.
Q: Can I unsend a message? A: You can delete your own messages, removing them from the conversation view, or edit them — edited messages show an "edited" marker.
Q: Why can't I attach a certain file? A: The file is over the 10 MB per-file limit, would exceed 5 files on the message, or is a disallowed type.
Q: Do muted conversations still show unread counts? A: Muting is a personal notification setting — the conversation stays in your list and you can still open and read it anytime.
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