Threads in Chat

Threads enhance the chat experience by allowing users to create focused and organized conversations within a chat room. This feature helps users follow and participate in specific discussions without losing context in the overall chat.

What is a Thread?

A thread is a sequence of messages that originate from a single parent message. Users can start a thread by replying to an existing message, and all replies in the thread are grouped together under the parent message. Threads provide a clear and structured way to manage discussions on particular topics.

Key Characteristics of Threads

How a thread is created: Threads are started by replying to a message in the chat. Each thread has a parent message, which is the message that other messages are replying to. Once a message has at least one reply, it is considered a thread.
Parent Message ID: The parent message ID is a crucial identifier in the thread feature. It links each reply to the original message that started the thread. When a message is part of a thread, it includes a parent_message_id that points to the ID of the parent message. Standalone messages (not part of a thread) have a parent_message_id set to null.
No nesting inside of threads: Threads are limited to a single level of replies. This means that replies within a thread cannot start another thread.
Thread reply count: Each parent message of a thread tracks the count of replies it has received. This count provides a quick overview of the activity within the thread, helping users gauge the extent of discussions.
Reactions work with replies too: Reactions can be added to replies inside threads just like regular chat messages.

Using Threads in the Chat

Starting a Thread: To start a thread, reply to any existing message in the chat by setting the parent_message_id field of your message to the ID of the message you're replying to. Your reply will be grouped under the parent message, initiating a new thread. Send ChatRoom Message
Viewing Threads: Threads are visually distinct, often nested under the parent message. Filter chat messages by parent_message_id to load past messages for a specific thread. Get ChatRoom Messages
Participating in Threads: When participating in a thread, your replies will automatically be linked to the parent message, keeping the conversation organized.