# Messages workspace

> One inbox for every client conversation and team channel, grouped by the project, space, product or approval each message is about.

Source: https://docs.moodiri.com/messages-and-chat/messages-workspace

![Messages workspace on the Clients tab, listing client conversations such as Alex Rivera and Aisha Patel by project, with a Team tab beside it and an empty conversation pane.](https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace-1600.webp)
Same screen with numbered callouts: https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace-annotated.webp
Callout 1: Clients
Callout 2: Team


Client messages usually end up scattered across email, texts and phone notes, with
no way to tell which sofa or invoice a reply was about. Messages keeps every
conversation in Moodiri, attached to the work it belongs to, and puts them all in one
list so nothing waits unanswered. Open it from **Messages** in the sidebar; the
sidebar shows how many conversations are unread.

## What you see here

On the left, the list of conversations, with two tabs at the top:

- **Clients**: conversations with your clients, grouped by project.
- **Team**: firm-wide and project channels, and direct messages with teammates.

On the right, the conversation you chose, with its messages and a box to reply. On a
phone, the list and the conversation take turns; choose **Conversations** to go back.

## Client conversations (project, space, product and approval threads)

Client conversations are grouped by project. A project's main conversation with its
client is labeled **General**, and conversations about a specific space, product or
approval sit under it as their own threads. For example, Lombard Street Loft can have
a General conversation with Alex Rivera and a separate thread about the kitchen
island pendants. Expand a project to see its threads.

Keeping threads separate means a reply about one product never gets lost in a
conversation about another. Your client replies from their portal. See
[Chat with your designer](https://docs.moodiri.com/for-clients/chat-with-your-designer).

## Team channels: firm-wide, project channels, direct messages

![Messages workspace on the Team tab, listing the general channel, project channels such as Johnson Residence and Chen Family Remodel, and direct messages with teammates.](https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--team-channels-1600.webp)
Same screen with numbered callouts: https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--team-channels-annotated.webp
Callout 1: Team


Choose **Team** to see three groups:

- **Channels**: **# general**, the firm-wide channel for everyone on your team.
- **Projects**: a team-only channel for each project, named after it, for example **# Lombard Street Loft**. Choose **Open project** to jump to the project.
- **Direct messages**: private conversations with each teammate.

Nothing in **Team** is ever shown to clients. Each group shows the first few
conversations; choose **Show more** to see the rest.

## Start a message

![Start a message dialog with the Find a client, project, or teammate search field, listing recent client conversations such as Alex Rivera and Aisha Patel.](https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--start-a-message-1600.webp)
Same screen with numbered callouts: https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--start-a-message-annotated.webp
Callout 1: Find a client, project, or teammate


Choose **Start a message** (the **+** button) to open a picker. Type in **Find a
client, project, or teammate**, then choose a client conversation, a channel or a
teammate under **Clients**, **Channels** or **Direct messages**.

## Unread filter

![Messages workspace on the Clients tab, with search and filter controls above a list of client conversations, several marked with blue unread dots.](https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--unread-filter-1600.webp)
Same screen with numbered callouts: https://docs.moodiri.com/shots/messages-and-chat--messages-workspace--unread-filter-annotated.webp
Callout 1: Unread


Choose **Unread** next to search to show only conversations with messages you haven't
read. Choose it again to show all conversations. Use **Search** to find a
conversation by client, project or teammate name.

## Limits

- Conversations with former teammates are read only.
- Team channels and direct messages are never visible to clients.

## Questions

### Can my client see team channels or direct messages?

No. Everything under **Team** is team only. Clients see only their own conversations with you, in their portal.

### Is this a different chat from the one on the project?

No. It's the same conversations. **Messages** collects them all in one place; [Project chat](https://docs.moodiri.com/messages-and-chat/project-chat) shows one project's threads.

### Why can't I write to a former teammate?

Direct messages with someone who has left the firm stay readable, marked **Former teammate · Read only**, but you can't send new ones.