Direct messages
Direct messages (DMs) are one-on-one conversations between you and
another user. Group direct messages (group DMs) are small
discussions with a group of users.
DMs and group DMs work well for one-off conversations. If you find yourself
frequently conversing with the same person or the same group of people, we
highly recommend creating a private stream for your
conversations instead.
Note that group DMs are not the same as user groups or
private streams. DMs and group DMs do not have topics
and do not appear in your list of streams.
Send a DM
-
Click the New direct message button at the bottom of the app, or the
Start new conversation button if you are in a direct message view.
-
Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
select their name from the list of suggestions.
-
Click on the compose box, or press Tab to compose your message. You
can preview your message before
sending.
-
Click the Send () button, or
use a keyboard shortcut
to send your message.
You can also use the X keyboard shortcut to start a new direct
message conversation.
You can also click on any user in the right sidebar to start composing
a direct message to them. Or open their user card by clicking on
their profile picture or name, and select Send direct message.
-
Tap the Direct messages
( 
)
tab at the bottom of the app.
-
Tap the New DM button at the top of the app.
-
Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
select their name from the list of suggestions.
-
Compose your message, and tap the send
(
)
button in the bottom right corner of the app.
You can also tap on a user's profile picture or name, and tap the
Send direct message button at the bottom of the app.
Send a group DM
-
Click the New direct message button at the bottom of the app, or the
Start new conversation button if you are in a direct message view.
-
Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
select their name from the list of suggestions. You can continue
adding as many message recipients as you like.
-
Click on the compose box, or press Tab to compose your message. You
can preview your message before
sending.
-
Click the Send () button, or
use a keyboard shortcut
to send your message.
You can also use the X keyboard shortcut to start a new direct
message conversation.
You can switch from composing a stream message to composing a direct
message by selecting Direct message from the dropdown in the upper left
of the compose box.
-
Tap the Direct messages
( )
tab at the bottom of the app.
-
Tap the New group DM button at the top of the app.
-
Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
select their name from the list of suggestions. You can continue
adding as many message recipients as you like.
-
Approve by tapping the checkmark
(
)
button in the bottom right corner of the app.
-
Compose your message, and tap the send
()
button in the bottom right corner of the app.
Access a DM or group DM
If using Zulip in a browser or desktop, there are several ways to access an existing DM or group DM.
-
Click on Direct messages near the top of the left sidebar to access
recent conversations.
-
Click on any user in the right sidebar.
-
Start typing a user's name in the search bar.
You'll be able to select DMs or group DMs with that user.
-
Open the compose box, and enter a list of users on the To:
line. Type Ctrl + . to open that conversation.
Access all DMs
- In the left sidebar, click the All direct messages
() icon to the right of the
Direct messages label, or use the Shift + P
keyboard shortcut.
- Tap the Direct messages
( )
tab at the bottom of the app.
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