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

# Messages

> Chat with your team one-on-one or in group channels.

<Info>**For your team.** Everyone can send and receive messages.</Info>

Messages is Vera's built-in chat. Use it for a quick one-on-one, or read the
group channels your team uses to stay in sync. Open it with **Messages** in the
top row of tabs.

## How Messages is laid out

* On the **left** is your list of conversations, newest activity first. A bold
  name with a dot means unread messages.
* On the **right** is the conversation you have open, with its messages and a box
  to type in.

## Read a conversation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Messages">
    Click **Messages** in the top tabs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a conversation">
    Click any conversation on the left. It opens on the right, and Vera marks it
    as read.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Send a message

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the conversation">
    Click the person or channel you want to message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type your message">
    Click in the box at the bottom and type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send it">
    Press **Enter**, or click the send button. Your message appears in the
    thread right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Start a new message

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the new menu">
    In the top-left of Messages, click the **+** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose New message">
    Click **New message**, then pick the person you want to chat with. Anyone on
    your team can start a one-on-one conversation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>You can also find someone fast: type their name in the **Search** box at the top of the conversation list, then click their name under **People** to start a chat.</Tip>

## Find an existing conversation

Type a name into **Search** at the top of the list. Matching conversations — and
people you can message — appear as you type.

## A note on channels

Group channels (like a whole-team channel or one for a single team) keep
everyone on the same page. **Only managers can create channels** in Vera today,
but everyone can read and reply in the channels they're part of.

## What success looks like

You can open a conversation, send a reply, and start a new chat with anyone on
your team — and unread conversations stand out so nothing slips by.

## Next step

Keep on top of replies with [Notifications](/everyday/notifications).