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

# Messaging

> Use the BeatPass messaging panel for direct messages, group chats, and conversation management.

BeatPass messaging is a private chat system built into the web player's header. You can open direct messages, create group chats, and manage recent conversations without leaving the current page.

***

## Feature Overview

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Direct Messages" icon="message" href="/help/messaging/direct-messages">
    Start one-on-one conversations from the header, user profiles, or claimed producer pages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Group Conversations" icon="users" href="/help/messaging/group-conversations">
    Create multi-person chats for collaborations and shared discussions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managing Conversations" icon="folder" href="/help/messaging/managing-conversations">
    Review recent chats, mark them read or unread, follow users, or hide conversations from your list.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Real-Time Features" icon="bolt" href="/help/messaging/real-time-features">
    See typing indicators, delivery states, unread badges, and retry states.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How Messaging Is Accessed

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the header icon">
    Click the **message** icon in the top navigation to open the messaging panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a conversation or start a new one">
    Select a recent chat or click **New** to create a new conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send messages in the same panel">
    The conversation view, input box, and management menu all live inside the same messaging UI.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The `/messages` route exists for sign-in gating and deep links from notifications or emails. It briefly shows an instruction screen and then redirects you back to the main site, where messages open in the header panel. It does not act as a standalone inbox.
</Note>

***

## What Messaging Supports

| Capability              | Current behavior                                                   |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Direct messages**     | Start a private conversation with an existing BeatPass user        |
| **Group chats**         | Start a group with 2 or more other users from the new message flow |
| **Message suggestions** | Blank search shows followed users first                            |
| **User search**         | Search starts after you enter at least 2 characters                |
| **Conversation tools**  | Mark read, mark unread, follow or unfollow, delete                 |
| **Live states**         | Typing indicators, unread counts, seen state, failed-send retry    |

***

## Message Notifications

Messaging-related notifications are configured from **Notification Preferences -> Messages**:

* **Direct Messages**
* **Playlist Invites**

<Info>
  The message icon itself also shows a live unread badge while you browse BeatPass.
</Info>

***

## Privacy & Safety

Messaging is private to the conversation participants. Keep the usual safety rules in mind when chatting with other users.

<Warning>
  Never share passwords, payment credentials, or other sensitive information through direct messages.
</Warning>

If someone is abusing messaging:

1. Delete the conversation from your recent list if needed
2. Report the user from their profile if they are violating the [Content Guidelines](/help/legal/content-guidelines)

***

## Related Topics

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Following System" icon="user-plus" href="/help/social-features/following-system">
    Follow users to easily find them in messaging suggestions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notification Settings" icon="bell" href="/help/notifications/notification-settings">
    Customize how you receive message notifications.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Snippet file="sections/need-help.mdx" />