{start_tabs}

{tab|stream}

1. Click the **New topic** button at the bottom of the app, or
   use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut.

1. Enter a topic name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for previously
   used topics.

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

{tab|not-stream}

1. Click the **New topic** button at the bottom of the app, or
   use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut.

1. Enter a stream name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for streams you
   can send to.

1. Enter a topic name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for previously
   used topics.

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

{end_tabs}

!!! warn ""

    In Zulip, you can compose a message to a different place than the one you
    are viewing. In this situation, the message feed will fade to indicate
    what's going on.
