Direct Messages
===============

I Think It's You has a **direct messaging** feature for private,
one-on-one conversations. This page explains how to start
conversations, send and read messages, and manage your threads.

What are direct messages?
-------------------------

* **Private one-to-one threads** with other registered users.
* **Conversation list** — every conversation you have, in one
  place, with an unread count.
* **Real-time feel** — send a message, see the reply in the
  same thread.
* **Unread badge** — the chat icon in the header tells you how
  many unread messages you have.

.. note::

   You must be **signed in** to use messaging. The Messages link
   and chat icon appear in the header once you are.

Opening Messages
----------------

1. Sign in.
2. Click the **Messages** link or **chat icon** in the header.
3. Or open ``/messages`` directly.

.. screenshot:: messages-page
   :alt: Messages page with conversations
   :width: 100%
   :caption: The Messages page lists conversations on the left, the selected thread (or an empty state) on the right.

Layout of the Messages page
---------------------------

* **Left sidebar — Conversations**

  * List of all your message threads (one per person you've
    talked to).
  * **Unread badge** — number of conversations with unread
    messages.
  * **New conversation** — start a new thread.
  * Each row shows the other user's name and usually a preview
    of the latest message.

* **Right side — Thread view**

  * With a thread selected: the other user's name on top and the
    messages below.
  * With nothing selected: an empty state inviting you to pick a
    conversation or start a new one.

* **Message input** (when a thread is selected): type and send.

Starting a new conversation
---------------------------

1. In the sidebar, click **New conversation**.
2. Search for the person by username.
3. Select the person to open a fresh thread.
4. Type your first message and send.

Sending and reading
-------------------

* **Send** — type into the input at the bottom and press *Enter*
  or click *Send*.
* **Read** — new messages appear in the thread; opening a
  thread usually marks them as read.
* **Scroll** — long threads can be scrolled up; some views
  offer *"Load older messages"*.

Deleting a conversation
-----------------------

1. In the conversation list, find the right thread.
2. Click **Delete** (or the trash icon).
3. Confirm.
4. The thread disappears from your list.

.. note::

   Deletion removes the thread from your view. What the other
   side sees depends on the feature; in doubt, don't put
   anything in a message you wouldn't want coming back to you.

Unread count
------------

* The **chat icon** in the header carries a badge with the
  number of unread messages (or unread threads).
* Opening a thread typically marks the messages inside as read
  and updates the count.
* The sidebar shows which conversations have unread messages.

Privacy
-------

* Direct messages are **private**: only you and the other person
  see them.
* Don't share other people's messages without permission.
* Identifying data and harassment count as community-rules
  violations even in direct messages.
* If someone harasses you: report through the **Contact** page
  on the website or via the Report action on a related post.

Best practices
--------------

* **Stay respectful.** No questions that put pressure on the
  other side.
* **Be specific.** A short hint that proves you also remember
  the moment (date, place, a small detail) goes a long way.
* **Be realistic.** Not every message gets a reply — and that
  is okay.

Trouble
-------

I don't see the Messages link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Make sure you're signed in.
* Refresh the page; if it still doesn't appear the feature may
  be disabled in your instance.

I can't start a new conversation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Double-check the username.
* If the search finds nobody, the person may have restricted
  who can message them — or they don't have an account under
  that name.

Messages don't load or send
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Check your connection.
* Refresh the page and try again.
* Try another browser or device if the problem persists.

What's next?
------------

* :doc:`account-setup` — for sign-in.
* :doc:`profile` — for profiles and finding people.
* :doc:`notifications` — for new-message alerts.