> ## 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.

# Direct Messages

> Start one-on-one BeatPass conversations from the header, profiles, and producer pages.

Direct messages are private one-on-one conversations with another BeatPass user. You can start them from the messaging panel, from user profiles, and from claimed producer pages that expose a **Message** button.

***

## Starting a New Conversation

### From the messaging panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the message icon">
    Open the messaging panel from the top navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a new message">
    Click **New**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the user">
    Search by name, username, email, or producer name, then select the person you want.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send the first message">
    Type your message and press **Enter** or use the send button.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  When the search field is empty, BeatPass suggests people you already follow first.
</Tip>

### From a profile or producer page

1. Visit the profile or claimed producer page
2. Click **Message**
3. The messaging panel opens with that user selected
4. Type your message and send

<Info>
  If a direct conversation already exists, BeatPass reuses it instead of creating a duplicate thread.
</Info>

***

## Finding Users to Message

| Search behavior           | Current behavior                                   |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Blank search**          | Shows followed users as suggestions                |
| **2+ characters entered** | Runs a search across existing BeatPass users       |
| **Selectable result**     | Starts or reopens the matching direct conversation |

***

## Sending Messages

| Rule               | Current behavior                                      |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Send shortcut**  | `Enter` sends                                         |
| **New line**       | `Shift + Enter`                                       |
| **Message length** | Up to `2000` characters                               |
| **Input type**     | Text only in the current web UI                       |
| **Links**          | URLs in sent messages are rendered as clickable links |

***

## Viewing Conversations

Direct message threads show:

* The other person's avatar and name
* The latest message preview in the conversation list
* Unread badges
* Hover-visible timestamps
* `Sent`, `Seen`, `Sending...`, or `Failed` states for your own messages

Opening the conversation marks unread messages as read and updates the unread badge count.

***

## Related Topics

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Group Conversations" icon="users" href="/help/messaging/group-conversations">
    Create chats with multiple users at once.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Real-Time Features" icon="bolt" href="/help/messaging/real-time-features">
    Understand typing indicators, seen state, and retry behavior.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>