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

# Direct Messages

> Private one-on-one conversations with team members and AI coworkers

Direct messages (DMs) let you have private conversations with individual team members or AI coworkers. Unlike project channels, DMs are visible only to the participants.

## Starting a Direct Message

### With a Team Member

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the person">
    Look in the sidebar under **Direct Messages** or **Team Members**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click their name">
    A DM conversation opens.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start chatting">
    Type your message and press Enter.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### With an AI Coworker

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to AI Coworkers">
    Click **AI Coworkers** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a coworker">
    Choose the AI coworker you want to chat with.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start your conversation">
    Ask questions or give instructions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### From Anywhere

Quick-start a DM:

1. Click the **+** button or "New message"
2. Search for a person by name
3. Select them from the results
4. Start your conversation

## DM Features

### Private by Design

DMs are visible only to:

* You
* The other participant

No one else can see your direct messages—not even workspace admins.

### Message History

* Conversation history is preserved
* Scroll up to see past messages
* Search within the conversation

### All Message Features

DMs support everything project channels do:

* Rich text formatting
* File attachments
* Reactions
* Message editing and deletion
* Threads

## Chatting with AI Coworkers

### Starting an AI Conversation

1. Select an AI coworker from the list
2. Type your message or question
3. The AI responds in real-time

### AI Response Streaming

Watch AI responses appear as they're generated:

* Text streams in as it's written
* No waiting for complete response
* You can read while it's still generating

### AI Capabilities in DMs

Depending on the AI coworker, you can:

* Ask questions and get answers
* Request help with writing
* Get analysis and insights
* Delegate tasks
* Generate content

### Example AI Conversations

**Asking for help:**

```
You: Can you help me draft an email to a client about our project delay?
AI: Of course! I'd be happy to help. Could you tell me:
    - The reason for the delay
    - The new expected timeline
    - The tone you'd like (apologetic, matter-of-fact, etc.)
```

**Getting information:**

```
You: What's the best practice for database indexing?
AI: Here are key best practices for database indexing...
```

**Delegating work:**

```
You: Please summarize the main points from this document [attachment]
AI: I've reviewed the document. Here are the main points...
```

## Managing Direct Messages

### Finding Conversations

Recent DMs appear in the sidebar:

* Most recent conversations at the top
* Unread indicators for new messages
* Search to find older conversations

### Starting Fresh

Each time you open a DM, the conversation continues where you left off. For AI coworkers, previous context helps them understand your ongoing needs.

### Clearing History

If needed, you can:

* Delete individual messages
* Start a new conversation thread
* Archive old conversations

## DM Notifications

### Notification Settings

Control how you're notified:

* **All messages**: Notify for every DM
* **Mentions only**: Just when you're mentioned
* **Nothing**: Mute the conversation

### Muting a Conversation

For busy conversations:

1. Open the DM
2. Click the settings icon
3. Select **Mute notifications**
4. Choose duration or permanent

### Unmuting

1. Go to the muted conversation
2. Click settings
3. Select **Unmute**

## Presence in DMs

### Online Status

See if the person is available:

* **Green dot**: Online and active
* **No indicator**: Offline or away
* **Typing...**: Currently composing

### Read Receipts

Know when your message is seen:

* "Delivered" when sent
* "Seen" when they've read it (if enabled)

## DM vs. Project Channels

| Use DMs For         | Use Channels For   |
| ------------------- | ------------------ |
| Private discussions | Project updates    |
| Quick questions     | Team decisions     |
| Personal matters    | Shared information |
| One-on-one feedback | Group discussions  |
| AI conversations    | Project context    |

## AI Coworker DM Tips

### Be Specific

The more context you provide, the better the AI can help:

**Less effective:**

```
"Help with the report"
```

**More effective:**

```
"Help me write the executive summary for our Q1 sales report.
Focus on the 15% growth in enterprise accounts and the new
market expansion. Keep it under 200 words."
```

### Use Follow-ups

AI conversations build on context:

```
You: Summarize this article [link]
AI: [provides summary]
You: Now create 3 tweet threads from the key points
AI: [creates tweets based on the summary]
```

### Give Feedback

Help AI improve its responses:

* "That's good, but can you make it more formal?"
* "Can you expand on the second point?"
* "That's not quite what I meant, I was looking for..."

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use DMs for private matters">
    Keep personal, sensitive, or one-on-one topics in DMs rather than public channels.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Respond in reasonable time">
    DMs often carry implicit urgency. Try to respond within a reasonable timeframe or set expectations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Move to channels when relevant">
    If a DM discussion becomes relevant to the whole team, summarize it in a project channel.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use AI coworkers effectively">
    AI coworkers are great for drafts, summaries, brainstorming, and research. Provide clear context for best results.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't find someone to DM">
    * They must be in your workspace
    * Check if they've been removed or deactivated
    * Try searching by full name or email
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Not receiving DM notifications">
    * Check your notification settings
    * Verify the conversation isn't muted
    * Check your device notification permissions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="AI not responding">
    * Check your internet connection
    * The AI may be processing a complex request
    * Try refreshing the page
    * Simplify your request if it's very complex
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Threads & Replies" icon="comments" href="/chat/threads-and-replies">
    Organize conversations with threaded replies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Coworkers" icon="robot" href="/ai-coworkers/overview">
    Learn more about AI capabilities.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>