Reading strategies

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

import CombinedFeed from "../include/_CombinedFeed.mdx"; import DmFeedInstructions from "../include/_DmFeedInstructions.mdx"; import FollowedTopicWorkflows from "../include/_FollowedTopicWorkflows.mdx"; import ReadingConversations from "../include/_ReadingConversations.mdx"; import ViewEmojiReactions from "../include/_ViewEmojiReactions.mdx"; import ViewMentions from "../include/_ViewMentions.mdx"; import ViewStarredMessages from "../include/_ViewStarredMessages.mdx";

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

<ReadingConversations> ### Finding a conversation to read from the Inbox view

Finding a conversation to read from Recent conversations

Reading conversations

</ReadingConversations>

Following, muting and unmuting conversations

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:

Combined views

Combined feed

Direct message feed

You can see all your direct messages in one place.

Channel view

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.

<Tabs> <TabItem label="Desktop/Web"> <Steps> 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 <kbd>Q</kbd> [keyboard shortcut](/help/keyboard-shortcuts). 1. Click on the channel name in the left sidebar. 1. Read messages in the channel, starting from your first unread message. You can scroll using your mouse, the arrow keys, <kbd>End</kbd>, or page up/down. 1. You can click on a topic in the left sidebar or a message recipient bar to view that topic. </Steps> </TabItem> </Tabs>

Special views

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.

Starred messages

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

View starred messages

Reactions