Mastering the compose box
Here is an overview of all the information and actions you can take in Zulip's
compose box.
Composing to a different conversation
When composing a message, Zulip lets you view a different
conversation from the one you are composing to.
For example, you can start a new topic without changing your view, send a
direct message about the topic you're viewing, or look up a related discussion.
In this context, the parts of the message view that are outside of the
conversation you are composing to are faded for clarity.
Change where you are composing to
No matter where you start composing your message, it's easy to change where it
will be sent.
- Compose to a channel
- Compose a DM
-
Open the compose box.
-
Select any channel from the dropdown in the top left of the compose box. You can
start typing to filter channels.
-
Enter a topic name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for previously
used topics.
-
Open the compose box.
-
Select Direct message from the dropdown in the top left of the compose
box.
-
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.
Go to conversation
Zulip lets you jump to the conversation you're
currently composing to.
- Instructions for all platforms
-
Open the compose box.
-
Click the highlighted Go to conversation () button at the top of the compose box. It will
be clickable only if you're viewing a different conversation from the one you
are composing to.
Use Ctrl + . to go to the conversation you're
composing to.
Automatically go to conversation where you sent a message
- Instructions for all platforms
-
Click on the gear () icon in the upper
right corner of the web or desktop app.
-
Select Personal settings.
-
On the left, click Preferences.
-
Under Navigation, toggle Automatically go to conversation
where you sent a message, as desired.
Toggle between Ctrl + Enter and Enter to send a message
By default, the Enter key adds a new line to your message,
and Ctrl + Enter sends your message.
This is convenient for typing multi-line messages, which are more common in
Zulip than in most other chat products. However, you can also configure
Zulip so that the Enter key sends your message.
Shift + Enter always adds a new line, regardless
of whether Enter to send is enabled.
Enable Enter to send
- Instructions for all platforms
-
Open the compose box.
-
Click on the ellipsis ()
in the bottom right corner of the compose box, next to the Send
() button.
-
Select Enter to send.
Enable Ctrl + Enter to send
- Instructions for all platforms
-
Open the compose box.
-
Click on the ellipsis ()
in the bottom right corner of the compose box, next to the Send
() button.
-
Select Ctrl + Enter to send.
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