Send messages

Send messages and join the conversation in a text channel.

Send a message

Desktop

1. Select a text channel from the channel list.
2. Type your message in the text field at the bottom. Shift+Enter opens a new line without sending the message.
3. Press Enter to send.

When your message contains a URL, Root automatically displays a preview card with the page's title, description, and image.

Mobile

1. Tap a text channel to open it.
2. Tap the text field at the bottom.
3. Type your message.
4. Tap the Send icon (paper airplane).

When your message contains a URL, Root automatically displays a preview card with the page's title, description, and image.

A message can be up to 10,000 characters. A counter appears once you reach the limit, showing how many characters you have left.

Retry a message that failed to send

If a message cannot be sent, it stays in the channel marked as failed instead of disappearing.

Desktop

The message shows Failed to send with a Try again link next to it. Select Try again to resend.

Mobile

The message reads Failed to send - hold for options.

1. Press and hold the failed message.
2. Tap Retry to send it again, or Delete message to remove it.

Format your message

Add emphasis, structure, and code to your messages using formatting options and Markdown syntax. See Format messages for complete formatting options including code blocks with syntax highlighting.

Desktop

Select text and use the formatting buttons below the message field, or use keyboard shortcuts:

Format	Button	Shortcut	Markdown
Bold	B	Ctrl+B	**text**
Italic	I	Ctrl+I	*text*
Strikethrough	S	None	~~text~~
Inline code	</>	None	`code`

Mobile

1. Tap the formatting icon (letter icon) in the message field to show the formatting options.
2. Tap Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, Spoiler, or Code.

You can either select existing text first, or turn a style on and then type. A spoiler hides the text until someone taps it.

Add attachments

Share files, images, and GIFs in your messages.

Desktop

Use the buttons on the right side of the message field:

Button	Description
Attach files (paperclip)	Upload files from your computer. See Share files and images.
GIF	Search and insert animated GIFs. See Send GIFs.

You can also drag and drop files directly into the message field.

Mobile

Tap the paperclip icon in the message field to attach photos, videos, or files. See Share files and images.

To add a GIF, tap the GIF button in the message field. See Send GIFs.

You can also paste images directly from your clipboard into the message field.

Add emojis

Express yourself with emojis in your messages. The emoji picker includes standard emojis and any custom emojis uploaded by community owners.

Skip the picker

Type : followed by at least two characters to search emoji by name as you type, without opening the picker at all. Typing :tha will find 🙏, and community emoji show up first.

In channels where you have the Use External Emojis permission, you can use custom emoji from any community you belong to.

Desktop

1. Select the Emojis button (smiley face) on the right side of the message field.
2. Browse or search for an emoji. Community emoji appear in their own section.
3. Select an emoji to insert it into your message.

Mobile

1. Tap the Emojis button (smiley face) in the message field.
2. Browse or search for an emoji. Community emoji appear in their own section.
3. Tap an emoji to insert it into your message.

Reply to a message

A reply links your message to a specific message in the conversation, creating a visual thread that helps others follow the discussion. When you reply to a message, your response appears with a reference to the original message, making it easy to see what you're responding to.

You can reply to up to 5 messages at once, which is helpful when addressing multiple points in a conversation.

Desktop

1. Start a reply using one of these methods:
   • Hover over a message and select the Reply icon (arrow)
   • Right-click a message and select Reply
2. Type your reply in the text field (the original message appears above).
3. Press Enter to send.

Mobile

1. Start a reply using one of these methods:
   • Tap a message (if Tap to reply is enabled in Chat settings)
   • Long-press a message and tap Reply
2. Type your reply.
3. Tap the Send icon (paper airplane).

To change your mind, tap the message again, or long-press it and tap Remove reply. To clear every queued reply at once, tap the X on the reply bar above the message field.

The reply bar also has an @ toggle that controls whether the person you are replying to gets a notification. It is on by default.

Tap the small reference above a reply to jump to the original message.

Mention a user or role

A mention notifies a specific user or everyone with a particular role that you're addressing them. When you mention someone, they receive a notification (if enabled) and your message highlights their name, making it easy to spot.

Mentioning a role notifies all members who have that role assigned to them.

Desktop

1. Type @ followed by the username or role name.
2. Select the correct user or role from the popup list.
3. Complete your message and press Enter.

Mobile

1. Type @ followed by the username or role name.
2. Tap the correct suggestion from the popup list.
3. Tap the Send icon (paper airplane).

Mention everyone

The suggestion list also offers two mentions that reach more than one person:

Mention	Who it notifies
@All	Everyone in the channel
@Here	Everyone in the channel who is online right now

Link to a channel

Type # followed by the channel name, then pick the channel from the list. The channel name becomes a link that takes people straight there.

Open a mention

Select someone's mention in a message to open their profile.

Desktop

Select the mention to open the person's profile.

Mobile

Tap a mention to open the person's profile, or press and hold it for Copy username and View user profile.

Copy a message

Desktop

Select the text in the message and copy it as you would anywhere else.

Mobile

1. Press and hold the message.
2. Tap Copy text.

Root confirms with Text copied successfully.

Open a link

When a message contains a link, selecting it opens the site. Root shows a confirmation first so you can check where you are going. See Open external links.

On mobile you can also press and hold a link for Link options, which offers Copy link and Open link.