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Reading strategies

In Zulip, channels determine who gets a message. Topics tell you what the message is about. If you are not yet familiar with Zulip’s topics, we recommend first reading about channels and topics.

This article describes a few ways to efficiently read through messages in Zulip.

Conversation by conversation

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In Zulip, a conversation is a direct message thread (one-on-one or with a group), or a topic in a channel.

It generally works best to read your messages organized by conversation.

Finding a conversation to read from the Inbox view

Section titled “Finding a conversation to read from the Inbox view”

Inbox provides an overview of your conversations with unread messages. Conversations are shown in the same order as in the left sidebar in the web app, and you can collapse any channels you are not currently interested in.

  1. Click on Inbox (or if the views section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the Shift + I keyboard shortcut.
  2. Click on a conversation you’re interested in to view it. You can return to your inbox when done (e.g., by using the back button in your browser or desktop app) to select the next conversation.

Finding a conversation to read from Recent conversations

Section titled “Finding a conversation to read from Recent conversations”

Use the recent conversations view to get an overview of all the ongoing conversations. This view is particularly useful for catching up on messages sent while you were away.

  1. Click on Recent conversations (or if the views section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the T keyboard shortcut.
  2. The filters at the top help you quickly find relevant conversations. For example, select Participated to filter to the conversations you have sent messages to.
  3. Click on a topic or DM conversation you’re interested in to view it. You can return to recent conversations when done (e.g., by using the back button in your browser or desktop app) to select the next conversation.

Finding a conversation to read from the left sidebar

Section titled “Finding a conversation to read from the left sidebar”

In the web app, the left sidebar provides quick access to your direct messages, and the channels you are subscribed to.

  1. Click on direct messages or the name of a channel in the left sidebar. You will see a list of the most recent unread conversations that you have not muted.
  2. Click on the conversation you are interested in.

Reading conversations

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  1. Find a conversation to read.
  2. Read the conversation, scrolling down with the mouse or by pressing PgDn.
  3. If the conversation is not of interest, you can mark all messages as read by jumping to the bottom with the Scroll to bottom () button or the End shortcut.

Following, muting and unmuting conversations

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You can improve your workflow for catching up on messages by taking advantage of following topics, as well as muting and unmuting channels and topics. Some example workflows:

  • Catch up on followed topics at the start of the day, and whenever you want to spend a few minutes checking on on the conversations that need your attention.
  • No more stressing about missing a reply to your message in channels you don’t regularly read. You can automatically follow topics you start or participate in.
  • You can also mute the channels you don’t regularly read, and automatically follow or unmute topics you start or participate in. In muted channels, topics you follow are automatically treated as unmuted, so it will be easy to see when someone responds to your message.
  • If you like, follow just the topics where your prompt attention is needed, and enable desktop and mobile notifications for followed topics.

Combined views

Section titled “Combined views”

Combined feed

Section titled “Combined feed”

The Combined feed view is a feed of all the unmuted messages you have received, which combines channel messages and direct messages. It’s a great way to see new messages as they come in.

You can configure Combined feed to be the home view for the Zulip web app.

  1. Click on Combined feed (or if the views section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the A keyboard shortcut.

Direct message feed

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You can see all your direct messages in one place.

  1. In the left sidebar, click the Direct message feed () icon to the right of the direct messages heading, or use the Shift + P keyboard shortcut.
  2. Read your direct messages, starting from your first unread message. You can scroll using your mouse, the arrow keys, End, or page up/down.

Channel view

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Sometimes it’s useful to scroll through all the messages in a channel, especially in situations where you just want a general idea of what’s going on.

  1. Find the channel you want to read in the left sidebar. If you don’t see it right away, you can search for a channel by clicking on channels in the left sidebar, or using the Q keyboard shortcut.
  2. Click on the channel name in the left sidebar.
  3. Read messages in the channel, starting from your first unread message. You can scroll using your mouse, the arrow keys, End, or page up/down.
  4. You can click on a topic in the left sidebar or a message recipient bar to view that topic.

Special views

Section titled “Special views”

Mentions

Section titled “Mentions”

The mentions view lets you quickly find all the places where you were mentioned. Reviewing your mentions can be a good way to start your day.

  1. Click on Mentions (or if the views section is collapsed) in the left sidebar.
  2. Browse your mentions. You can click on a message recipient bar to go to the conversation where you were mentioned.

Starred messages

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You can star messages that you plan to follow up on later.

View starred messages

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  1. Click on Starred messages (or if the views section is collapsed) in the left sidebar.

Reactions

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The reactions view lets you see all of your messages that have received at least one emoji reaction. You can see what resonated with others, or confirm that key stakeholders have seen and responded to a message.

  1. Click on Reactions in the left sidebar. If the views section is collapsed, click on the ellipsis ( ), and select Reactions.
  2. Browse your reactions. You can click on a message recipient bar to go to the conversation where you sent the message.
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