# Direct messages (https://docs.treema.ai/en/docs/chats/direct-messages)

Writing to one person — finding them in the member list, what the presence dot means, and how a direct message differs from a channel.

A **direct message** is a conversation between you and one other person in the workspace. There is
nothing to name, nobody to add, and no permission to ask for: anyone can write to anyone.

## Starting one [#starting-one]

The **+** beside the **All chats** heading in the list opens **Workspace members** — or the one
beside **Direct messages**, if your list is split into channels and direct messages.

![Screenshot: chats/people](https://docs.treema.ai/screenshots/en/chats/people.png)

1. Everyone in the workspace, and the button that opens a conversation with them

Search by name or email, then press **Message**. The conversation opens straight away and joins your
list — for the other person it appears the moment you send something.

The three tabs above the list are **All**, **Online** and **Offline**. On a busy morning "who is
actually at work right now" is a useful way to pick.

## The dot beside a person [#the-dot-beside-a-person]

A small dot on someone's avatar says whether they are online. You see it in the member list, on the
direct-message rows in your conversation list, and beside the person's name at the top of an open
direct message, where it is spelled out in words: **Online**, **Offline**, or **Last seen** with the
time.

The status shows whether a user is currently in Treema HQ, but it does not guarantee how
quickly they will reply. "Offline" means the user is not active in the app at the moment; it does not
necessarily mean they are away from work or unable to answer later. If something has to be done or
tracked, it is better to create a task or write in a channel, so the information is available to
everyone responsible.

## How a direct message differs from a channel [#how-a-direct-message-differs-from-a-channel]

Channel / Direct message:

* Who can read it: the channel's members, or — for a public channel — every user with access to its
  scope / only the two people in the direct message.
* Whether people can be added: yes, in the channel's settings / no, use a channel to discuss
  something with several people.
* Name, picture, description: can be set / the other person's name and avatar are used.
* Archiving and deleting: available / not available.
* Muting, favourites, pin to top: available / available.

Direct messages support the same [message actions](https://docs.treema.ai/en/docs/chats/messages/) as channels: reactions, replies,
threads, files, voice messages and pins.

A direct message is meant for two people. If a third person needs to join the discussion, create a
[channel](https://docs.treema.ai/en/docs/chats/channels/). A direct message cannot be turned into a channel, and its message history
cannot be moved. If the subject is a work task or a process, it is better to create a channel from
the start, so that everyone involved can see the shared context of the discussion.

## Notifications [#notifications]

Unless a direct message is muted, you will be notified of new messages in the app and on your phone.
Direct messages are sent to you personally, so these notifications help you not to miss an important
request. For more, see [Notifications](https://docs.treema.ai/en/docs/chats/notifications/).