---
title: "Chat"
description: "Real-time messaging with project channels and direct messages in Projectyl."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.projectyl.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chat

Real-time messaging is built into every project and available as direct messages across the workspace. No need for a separate Slack or Teams — your conversations live right next to your tasks and documents.

## Project channels

Each project can have multiple chat channels. Navigate to a project's **Chat** section in the sidebar to see all channels.

- Click a channel to enter it.
- Use the **channel dropdown** at the top of the chat view to switch between channels quickly.
- Click **+** next to Chat in the sidebar, or **Create a channel** to make a new one. Provide:
- **Name** (lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores; up to 100 characters).
- **Description** (optional, up to 1,000 characters).
- **Initial members** to add.

### Managing channels

From the channel header icons, you can access:

- **Channel info** — View and edit the channel name, description, and member list.
- **Channel settings** — Manage channel configuration.

## Send messages

Type in the message composer at the bottom of a channel. The composer includes a toolbar with quick-access buttons:

| Icon         | Action                                                        |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 📎 Paperclip | Attach a file                                                 |
| 🖼 Image     | Upload an image                                               |
| **@**        | Mention a person — they'll be notified                        |
| **#**        | Reference another channel in the project                      |
| 😊 Emoji     | Open the emoji picker                                         |
| **/**        | Open the [slash command menu](/guides/tips#slash-commands) |

You can also trigger these directly by typing the character in your message: `@` for mentions, `#` for channel references, `/` for slash commands.

### Referencing entities in chat

One of Projectyl's key features is the ability to reference tasks, documents, and targets directly from chat using [slash commands](/guides/tips#slash-commands):

- `/task` — Search and insert a link to a task (e.g. clicking it navigates to PROJ-123).
- `/doc` — Search and insert a link to a document.
- `/tar` — Search and insert a link to a target.
- `/new` — Create a new task, document, or target without leaving the chat.
- `/fmt` — Access formatting options.
- `/meet` — Start a meeting session.

This keeps your conversations connected to the work — no more "which task was that?" or hunting through project boards.

## Message actions

Hover over any message to reveal action buttons:

- **React** — Click the emoji button to add a reaction. Click an existing reaction to toggle yours. Reactions show a count.
- **Reply in thread** — Click a message to open a thread panel with the original message and all replies. Thread reply counts are shown below the message (e.g. "2 replies").
- **Edit** — Edit your own messages.
- **Delete** — Delete your own messages.

## Direct messages

Access DMs from the **Direct Messages** section in the sidebar.

- Click a person's name to open a one-on-one DM.
- **Favourite** a DM by clicking the star icon to pin it at the top of the list.
- Unread message and mention counts are shown as badges.

DMs are one-to-one only. For group conversations, use project channels.

> **Tip:** DMs are great for quick side conversations, but for anything related to project work, use project channels so the whole team has context.

## Unread indicators

- Channels and DMs with unread messages show a **count badge** in the sidebar.
- Mention counts are highlighted separately so you know when someone specifically needs your attention.

## File attachments in chat

Attach files to any chat message using the paperclip icon or by dragging and dropping a file onto the composer. Attached files can be downloaded by any channel member.

Source: https://docs.projectyl.app/features/chat/index.mdx