⚠ Alpha Feature
Direct Messages is currently in alpha testing. Features described here may change as we gather feedback. Some features may not be available to all users yet.
What Are Direct Messages?
Direct Messages (DMs) allow private one-on-one conversations with other users. Use DMs to:
- Connect with people you meet in communities
- Have private conversations outside your hierarchy
- Discuss sensitive topics privately
- Coordinate with potential dynamics
Who Can You Message?
DM access depends on your privacy settings and the other person's settings:
DM Access Levels
| Setting |
Who Can DM You |
| Connected Only (Default) |
Only people you share a hierarchy with |
| Community Members |
Anyone in communities you belong to |
| Everyone |
Any verified user |
| Nobody |
DMs completely disabled |
Change your DM privacy settings in Account Settings → DM Privacy.
Starting a Conversation
-
Find the User
Navigate to a user's profile from a community, hierarchy, or search.
-
Click Message
Click the "Message" or envelope icon on their profile.
-
Write Your Message
Type your message in the composer. Keep first messages respectful and appropriate.
-
Send
Click Send or press Enter to send your message.
✓ First Message Etiquette
Introduce yourself and explain why you're reaching out. Avoid explicit content in first messages. Respect if someone doesn't respond - not everyone wants to chat.
DM Features
Real-Time Messaging
Messages are delivered instantly via WebSocket connection:
- See when the other person is typing
- Messages appear immediately
- Presence indicators show online status
Read Receipts
Know when your messages are read:
- Single check: Message sent
- Double check: Message delivered
- Blue/filled check: Message read
Read receipts can be disabled in privacy settings.
Media Sharing
Share images and videos in DMs:
- Click the attachment icon
- Select image or video
- Media is automatically compressed for fast delivery
- Supports common formats (JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4)
Message Reactions
React to messages without typing a response:
- Hover/long-press on a message
- Select an emoji reaction
- Reactions appear below the message
Managing Conversations
Conversation List
View all your DM conversations:
- Sorted by most recent
- Unread indicator for new messages
- Preview of last message
- Online status of the other person
Search
Search within your conversations:
- Search by person's name
- Search message content
- Filter by date
Archiving Conversations
Archive conversations to clean up your inbox:
- Swipe left on the conversation (mobile) or click the menu
- Select "Archive"
- Conversation moves to archived folder
- New messages will unarchive it
Deleting Messages
Delete your own messages:
- Long-press or click the message menu
- Select "Delete"
- Message is removed from both sides
- Placeholder shows "Message deleted"
Privacy & Safety
Blocking Users
Block someone to prevent further contact:
- Open the conversation
- Click the menu (three dots)
- Select "Block User"
- Confirm
When blocked:
- They cannot send you messages
- They cannot see your online status
- Existing conversation is hidden
- They cannot find you in search
Reporting Messages
Report inappropriate messages to moderators:
- Long-press or click the message
- Select "Report"
- Choose the reason (harassment, spam, explicit, etc.)
- Add details if needed
- Submit
⚠ Report Serious Issues
If you receive threatening messages, non-consensual explicit content, or anything that makes you feel unsafe, please report immediately. We take all reports seriously.
Message Encryption
All DMs are:
- Encrypted in transit (TLS)
- Encrypted at rest on our servers
- Only accessible to conversation participants
Notifications
DM Notifications
Configure how you're notified about new messages:
- Push notifications: Real-time alerts on your device
- Email notifications: Get emails for messages (configurable)
- In-app badge: Badge count in navigation
Muting Conversations
Mute specific conversations to stop notifications:
- Open conversation settings
- Toggle "Mute notifications"
- Choose duration: 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or Forever
Muted conversations still appear in your inbox but don't trigger alerts.
Profile Search
Find people to message based on their profiles:
Scoped Search
Search is scoped based on your DM privacy setting:
- Connected Only: Only see people from your hierarchies
- Community Members: See people from your communities
- Everyone: Search all users who allow DMs
Search Filters
- By name or username
- By role (if they've set one)
- By community membership
- By location (if they've shared it)
DM Etiquette
Do
- Introduce yourself in first messages
- Respect people's boundaries
- Accept "no" gracefully
- Keep conversations consensual
- Use clear communication
Don't
- Send unsolicited explicit content
- Harass people who don't respond
- Pressure people into conversations
- Share others' private messages
- Use DMs for spam or promotion
When This Feature Launches
DMs are currently in alpha testing. We're focused on:
- Ensuring message privacy and security
- Building robust blocking and reporting
- Optimizing real-time delivery
- Creating a safe communication experience
Contact support if you'd like to participate in the alpha test.