“General chat” topic - Zulip

import {TabItem, Tabs} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

import FlattenedSteps from "../../components/FlattenedSteps.astro"; import KeyboardTip from "../../components/KeyboardTip.astro"; import ComposeAndSendMessage from "../include/_ComposeAndSendMessage.mdx"; import GeneralChatIntro from "../include/_GeneralChatIntro.mdx";

import SquarePlusIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/square-plus";

Zulip's topics help you keep conversations organized, but you may sometimes want to send a message without a topic. For example, this could be appropriate for social chatter, or for a one-off request (e.g., “Is anyone around to help me out?”).

The “general chat” topic can be used only if allowed by your organization's administrators, and channels can be configured to only allow the “general chat” topic.

Sending a message to the “general chat” topic

You can reply to a message in the “general chat” topic, or follow the instructions below.

<Tabs> <TabItem label="Via left sidebar"> <FlattenedSteps> 1. Click the **start a new topic** (<SquarePlusIcon />) button next to the name of the channel where you'd like to send a message.

  <ComposeAndSendMessage />
</FlattenedSteps>

<KeyboardTip>
  You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to send a message to
  the channel you're viewing.
</KeyboardTip>

</TabItem> <TabItem label="Via compose box"> <FlattenedSteps> 1. Click the **Start new conversation** button at the bottom of the app. 1. *(optional)* You can change the destination channel for your message using the dropdown in the top left of the compose box. Start typing to filter channels.

  <ComposeAndSendMessage />
</FlattenedSteps>

<KeyboardTip>
  You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to send a message to
  the channel you're viewing.
</KeyboardTip>

</TabItem> </Tabs>