zulip/help/direct-messages.md

Direct messages

Direct messages (DMs) are conversations with other users that happen outside of a channel. They are convenient for 1:1 and small group conversations.

If you find yourself frequently conversing with the same person or group, it often works best to create a private channel for your conversations. This lets you organize your discussion into topics, and subscribe or unsubscribe people as needed.

Send a DM

{!send-dm.md!}

View your DMs

There are a few different ways to view your DM conversations in the web and desktop apps.

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-left-sidebar}

{!view-dms-left-sidebar.md!}

{tab|via-right-sidebar}

1. If the user list in the right sidebar is hidden, click the user list ( ) icon in the upper right to show it.

2. Click on any user to view your 1:1 DM conversation.

!!! tip ""

You can find a user by typing their name in the **Filter users** box at the
top of the right sidebar.

{tab|via-search-box}

1. Click the search () icon in the top bar to open the search box.

2. Start typing a user's name. You'll be able to select DMs with that user from the list of suggestions.

3. (optional) Continue to add users via the search box for a group DM conversation.

!!! tip ""

You can also type `dm-including` in the search box to find all 1:1 and group
DM conversations that include a particular user.

{tab|via-compose-box}

1. Click the New direct message button at the bottom of the app, or use the X keyboard shortcut to open the compose box.

2. Start typing a user's name in the recipient bar, and select their name from the list of suggestions. Continue to add users for a group DM conversation.

3. Click the highlighted Go to conversation () button at the top of the compose box, or use the Ctrl + . keyboard shortcut to view that DM conversation.

{end_tabs}

Find a direct message conversation

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

1. If the direct messages section in the left sidebar is collapsed, click on the direct messages heading to expand it.
2. At the bottom of the list of your recent direct messages, click more conversations. If you don't see this link, you are already viewing all of your direct message conversations.
3. Type the name of a participant in the conversation you're looking for.

!!! tip ""

To return to the channel list in the left sidebar, click the **back to
channels** link above the search box.

{end_tabs}

View direct message feed

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

1. In the left sidebar, click the Direct message feed () icon to the right of the direct messages heading, or use the Shift + P keyboard shortcut.

{tab|mobile}

1. Tap the Direct messages ( ) tab at the bottom of the app.

{end_tabs}

Related articles

• Typing notifications
• Open the compose box