Mastering the compose box

Composing to a different conversation

When composing a message, Zulip lets you view a different conversation from the one you are composing to. For example, you can start a new topic without changing your view, send a direct message about the topic you're viewing, or look up a related discussion.

In this context, the parts of the message view that are outside of the conversation you are composing to are faded for clarity.

Change where you are composing to

No matter where you start composing your message, it's easy to change where it will be sent.

  1. Open the compose box.

  2. Select any stream from the dropdown in the top left of the compose box. You can start typing to filter streams.

  3. Enter a topic name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for previously used topics.

  1. Open the compose box.

  2. Select Direct message from the dropdown in the top left of the compose box.

  3. Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and select their name from the list of suggestions. You can continue adding as many message recipients as you like.

Go to conversation

Zulip lets you jump to the conversation you're currently composing to.

  1. Open the compose box.

  2. If composing a stream message, click the Go to conversation () button in the compose box.

For both stream and direct messages, use Ctrl + . to go to the conversation you are composing to.

Toggle between Ctrl + Enter and Enter to send a message

By default, the Enter key adds a new line to your message, and Ctrl + Enter sends your message.

This is convenient for typing multi-line messages, which are more common in Zulip than in most other chat products. However, you can also configure Zulip so that the Enter key sends your message.

Shift + Enter always adds a new line, regardless of whether Enter to send is enabled.

Enable Enter to send

  1. Open the compose box.

  2. Click on the ellipsis () in the bottom right corner of the compose box, next to the Send () button.

  3. Select Enter to send.

Enable Ctrl + Enter to send

  1. Open the compose box.

  2. Click on the ellipsis () in the bottom right corner of the compose box, next to the Send () button.

  3. Select Ctrl + Enter to send.