> ## 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.

# Project Channels

> Communicate with your team in dedicated project chat channels

Every project in Trilo has a built-in chat channel where team members can discuss work, share updates, and collaborate in real-time. Project channels keep conversations organized and contextual.

## Accessing Project Channels

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a project">
    Click on a project in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Chat">
    Click **Chat** in the project navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start messaging">
    You're now in the project channel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Who Can Access

Project channels are available to:

* All members of the project
* Workspace admins (access to all projects)
* Invited guests (if given project access)

## Sending Messages

### Basic Messages

Type your message and press **Enter** to send.

### Rich Formatting

Use markdown or the formatting toolbar:

| Format   | Markdown      | Shortcut       |
| -------- | ------------- | -------------- |
| **Bold** | `**text**`    | `Cmd/Ctrl + B` |
| *Italic* | `*text*`      | `Cmd/Ctrl + I` |
| `Code`   | `` `code` ``  | `Cmd/Ctrl + E` |
| Link     | `[text](url)` | `Cmd/Ctrl + K` |
| List     | `- item`      | —              |
| Numbered | `1. item`     | —              |

### Multi-line Messages

Press **Shift + Enter** to add new lines without sending.

### Code Blocks

Share code with syntax highlighting:

````
```javascript
function hello() {
  console.log("Hello, World!");
}
```
````

## Attachments

### Uploading Files

Share files in the channel:

1. Click the attachment icon, or
2. Drag and drop files into the message area
3. Add optional comment
4. Send

### Supported Files

* **Images**: PNG, JPG, GIF (display inline)
* **Documents**: PDF, Word, Excel (downloadable)
* **Videos**: MP4 (playable)
* **Other**: Any file type

### Screenshots

Quickly share screenshots:

1. Take a screenshot
2. Paste directly into the message area (`Cmd/Ctrl + V`)
3. Add context if needed
4. Send

## Mentions

### Mentioning People

Use `@` to mention team members:

* Type `@` followed by their name
* Select from the dropdown
* They'll be notified

**Example:**

```
@sarah Can you review the latest design?
```

### Mention Notifications

When mentioned, users receive:

* In-app notification
* Email notification (if enabled)
* Badge indicator in the sidebar

## Reactions

### Adding Reactions

React to messages with emoji:

1. Hover over a message
2. Click the reaction icon
3. Select an emoji
4. Your reaction appears on the message

### Common Reactions

| Emoji | Common Meaning        |
| ----- | --------------------- |
| 👍    | Acknowledged, agree   |
| ❤️    | Love it, great work   |
| 🎉    | Celebration, congrats |
| 👀    | Looking into it       |
| ✅     | Done, completed       |

### Multiple Reactions

* Multiple people can add the same reaction (count shown)
* Same person can add multiple different reactions
* Click a reaction to add yours

## Message Priority

### Standard Messages

Regular messages for normal communication.

### Important Messages

Mark messages that need attention:

1. When composing, click the priority indicator
2. Select **Important**
3. Message displays with emphasis

### Urgent Messages

For time-sensitive matters:

1. Select **Urgent** priority
2. Message displays prominently
3. Recipients receive stronger notifications

<Warning>
  Use urgent sparingly. Overuse diminishes its effectiveness and can create notification fatigue.
</Warning>

## Pins and Announcements

### Pinning Messages

Keep important messages accessible:

1. Hover over the message
2. Click the **...** menu
3. Select **Pin message**
4. Pinned messages appear in the channel header

**Good candidates for pinning:**

* Important decisions
* Key resources
* Guidelines and rules
* Contact information

### Viewing Pinned Messages

Click the pin icon in the channel header to see all pinned messages.

### Announcements

Make a message stand out:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click **...** menu
3. Select **Make announcement**
4. Message displays prominently

## Message Actions

### Edit Messages

Fix mistakes after sending:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click the **...** menu
3. Select **Edit**
4. Make changes and save

Edited messages show "edited" indicator.

### Delete Messages

Remove messages you've sent:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click **...** menu
3. Select **Delete**
4. Confirm deletion

<Info>
  Admins can delete any message. Regular members can only delete their own.
</Info>

### Copy Message

Copy message content:

1. Hover over the message
2. Click **...** menu
3. Select **Copy**

## Reading and Catching Up

### Unread Messages

New messages since your last visit:

* Channel appears bold in sidebar
* Unread count badge shows
* Scroll to see unread messages

### Mark as Read

Messages are marked as read when you view them. You can also:

* Right-click channel and select "Mark as read"
* Scroll to the bottom to mark all as read

### Catch Up

When joining a project channel:

* Scroll up to see message history
* Use search to find specific topics
* Check pinned messages for key information

## Search in Channel

### Searching Messages

Find past conversations:

1. Open the channel
2. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + F` or click search
3. Enter your search terms
4. Results highlight matching messages

### Search Tips

* Search for keywords
* Search by sender: `from:sarah`
* Search date ranges
* Combine filters for precise results

## Channel Context

### Project Integration

Project channels connect to other project features:

* **Tasks**: Reference tasks by ID
* **Resources**: Link to knowledge base content
* **Calendar**: Discuss upcoming events

### Activity Notifications

The channel receives automatic updates about:

* New tasks created
* Task status changes (optional)
* Resource updates (optional)
* Member changes

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Stay on topic">
    Keep discussions relevant to the project. Use DMs for personal or off-topic conversations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use threads for detailed discussions">
    When a conversation goes deep, move it to a thread to keep the main channel clean.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Search before asking">
    Many questions have been answered before. Search the channel history first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="React to acknowledge">
    A quick reaction shows you've seen a message without adding noise.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pin important information">
    Keep key decisions, resources, and guidelines pinned for easy access.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Direct Messages" icon="comment" href="/chat/direct-messages">
    Learn about private one-on-one messaging.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Threads & Replies" icon="comments" href="/chat/threads-and-replies">
    Keep conversations organized with threads.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>