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

# Channels

> Real-time team messaging with threads, reactions, and live updates

Channels are **real-time messaging spaces** for teammates. Slack-like exchanges, threaded discussions on specific topics, and reactions for quick acknowledgment. Backed by Socket.IO for instant message delivery.

<Frame caption="Real-time messaging with teammates in a channel">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cloocus/KaBbk3O9rWexEgxk/images/en/collaboration/channels-main.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=KaBbk3O9rWexEgxk&q=85&s=4df6cbdf9fa4f3750ea894db173b2c79" alt="Channel messaging screen" width="2000" height="949" data-path="images/en/collaboration/channels-main.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Channel Flow

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    subgraph Channel_Management
        A[Admin: create channel] --> B[Set name/permissions]
        B --> C[Activate channel]
    end

    subgraph Real_Time_Messaging
        D[User: write message] --> E[Send via Socket.IO]
        E --> F[Broadcast to channel members]
        F --> G[Live display]
    end

    subgraph Interactions
        G --> H[Reply in thread]
        G --> I[Add reaction]
        G --> J[Edit/delete message]
    end

    subgraph Notifications
        F --> K{User online?}
        K -->|No| L[Send webhook notification]
        K -->|Yes| G
    end

    C --> D
```

***

## Creating a Channel

Channels can only be created by **admins**.

<Note>
  The Channels feature only appears in the sidebar when the `enable_channels` feature flag is enabled in admin settings.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the channel creation menu">
    In the sidebar **Channels** section, click the **"+"** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter channel info">
    | Field          | Description                                                | Example                     |
    | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
    | **Name**       | Channel name (spaces auto-converted to hyphens, lowercase) | "dev-team"                  |
    | **Permission** | Who can reach the channel. Defaults to **Public**          | Private + Engineering group |

    <Frame caption="Set the channel name and permission, then create it.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cloocus/046evyIsgvOXyBMp/images/en/collaboration/channels-create-dialog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=046evyIsgvOXyBMp&q=85&s=bc5add3da0482a8dbd0339acf9fc2b7a" alt="Channel creation dialog" width="1910" height="904" data-path="images/en/collaboration/channels-create-dialog.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>
      On creation, channel names auto-convert spaces to hyphens and uppercase to lowercase. Example: "Dev Team" → "dev-team"
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Done">
    Click **"Create"** — the channel is created and appears in the sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Editing and Deleting Channels

Channel edits and deletions are **admin-only**. Hover over a channel name in the sidebar and click the gear icon to access settings.

| Action                | Method                              | Notes                                   |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Rename**            | Edit name in channel settings       | Auto-converts spaces→hyphens, lowercase |
| **Change permission** | Edit permission in channel settings | Group/organization level                |
| **Delete**            | Click delete in channel settings    | Channel itself is deleted               |

<Warning>
  Deleting a channel removes the channel only — message data may be handled separately. Cannot be recovered after deletion, so proceed carefully.
</Warning>

***

## Sending Messages

### Basic Messaging

Type a message in the input at the bottom of the channel and send.

<Frame caption="Input supports text, file attachments, and screen capture">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cloocus/KaBbk3O9rWexEgxk/images/en/collaboration/channels-input-typing.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=KaBbk3O9rWexEgxk&q=85&s=65ce88b5295c992815ab8bca2b5a75f1" alt="Channel input" width="2000" height="947" data-path="images/en/collaboration/channels-input-typing.png" />
</Frame>

| Feature             | Description                                 |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Text messages**   | Rich text input (formatting, links, etc.)   |
| **File attachment** | Upload images, documents, etc.              |
| **Screen capture**  | Browser-native screen capture               |
| **Voice recording** | Record voice, transcribe to text, then send |

### Live Typing Indicator

When other users are typing, an indicator shows above the input. Auto-disappears after 5 seconds of inactivity.

***

## Threads

Group replies to a message into a thread. Have in-depth discussion on a specific topic without disrupting the main channel flow.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a thread">
    Hover over a message and click the **Reply in thread** icon button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write a reply">
    A thread panel opens on the right of the screen. Write and send the reply.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Track threads">
    Below the original message, the reply count and last reply time are shown.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Thread Display

| Screen Size           | Behavior                                                                 |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Desktop (1024px+)** | Side-by-side split panels showing channel and thread together. Resizable |
| **Mobile/Tablet**     | Thread panel overlays as a Drawer                                        |

<Tip>
  On desktop, you can view channel messages and the thread side by side, keeping context while discussing.
</Tip>

***

## Reactions

Add emoji reactions to messages for quick acknowledgment.

| Feature             | Description                                                |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Add reaction**    | Hover over a message and pick an emoji                     |
| **Remove reaction** | Click your own reaction to remove                          |
| **Count display**   | Each reaction shows the user count                         |
| **Real-time sync**  | Reaction add/remove instantly reflects to all participants |

***

## Editing and Deleting Messages

### Edit

Only the author can edit their own message.

<Note>
  Message editing is restricted to the author. Even admins cannot edit others' messages.
</Note>

### Delete

| Role             | Delete Scope                                        |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Regular user** | Can delete only own messages                        |
| **Admin**        | Can delete any user's messages (channel moderation) |

Deleting a message also removes all its reactions. Deleting a parent message keeps thread replies intact.

***

## Channel Member Management

Use the **Permission** area in channel edit to set who can join the channel.

| Permission                         | Description                                         |
| ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Public**                         | All authenticated users can join                    |
| **Private + groups**               | Only specified group members can join               |
| **Private + organizational units** | Only specified organizational unit members can join |

Groups and organizational units added to a channel get **Read** only. The badge is fixed at Read and does not toggle to Write. In a channel **Read means participation**, so Read alone lets a user both read and post messages.

<Warning>
  A new channel defaults to **Public**. To limit it to specific groups, switch it to **Private** at creation or in channel edit, then add groups and organizational units.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Creating, editing, and deleting channels is restricted to admins. For the full access control model, see [Sharing & Permissions](/en/collaboration/sharing-permissions).
</Note>

***

## Notifications

Webhook notifications are sent to users not currently in the channel.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[New message] --> B{In channel?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Live display]
    B -->|No| D{Webhook URL set?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Send webhook notification]
    D -->|No| F[No notification]
```

| Item                     | Description                                           |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Notification target**  | Users with channel access who aren't currently online |
| **Notification content** | Channel name, message content, channel URL            |
| **Configuration**        | User personal settings > Notifications > Webhook URL  |

<Tip>
  Set webhook URLs for Slack, Teams, Discord Incoming Webhooks to forward channel messages to external tools.
</Tip>

***

## Channel Access Paths

| Method         | Description                                |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Sidebar**    | Click channel name in the Channels section |
| **Direct URL** | URL format `/channels/{channel_id}`        |

Accessing the channel page initializes the chat session (`chatId`) and switches to the channel-only view.

***

## FAQ

<Accordion title="Can regular users create channels?">
  No — channel creation/modification/deletion is admin-only. Ask your admin if you need a channel.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I chat with the AI in a channel?">
  Channels are user-to-user messaging only. Use the Chat feature for AI conversations.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I attach files to channel messages?">
  Yes — image and document files can be attached. Use the attach button in the input or drag and drop.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Are there limits on thread reply count?">
  By default, there's no per-thread reply limit. Replies load 50 at a time via pagination.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I leave or mute channels?">
  In permission-restricted channels, admins manage membership. Disable webhook notifications in personal settings to silence notifications.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Is there an @mention feature?">
  Currently, no dedicated @mention feature. Mention users by name directly in the message body.
</Accordion>