Text Channels Overview
Text channels are the foundation of daily communication in Copera. Unlike direct messages, which are designed for private one-on-one or small-group conversations, text channels are persistent, topic-based spaces where your entire team --- or a specific group of members --- can collaborate openly over time.
What Are Text Channels?
A text channel is a dedicated conversation space centered around a topic, project, department, or any subject that matters to your team. Channels remain available indefinitely, so new members can scroll back through the full history to get up to speed without anyone having to repeat information.
Every text channel appears in the Communicate section of the sidebar, grouped under categories that your workspace administrators define. Each channel is identified by a # icon and its name, making it easy to scan and find the right conversation at a glance.
How Text Channels Differ from Direct Messages
| Text Channels | Direct Messages | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Visible to all members added to the channel | Private between selected participants |
| Purpose | Topic-based, long-running discussions | Quick, personal conversations |
| Discoverability | Listed in the sidebar for easy access | Hidden until you open or search for them |
| Membership | Can include the entire workspace or a subset | Typically 1-on-1 or small groups |
Key Features
Text channels come packed with features that keep conversations productive and organized:
- Threads --- Reply to a specific message to start a focused side conversation without cluttering the main channel. Learn more in Threads.
- Mentions --- Use @mentions to notify individuals, the entire channel, or only online members. Learn more in Mentions & Notifications.
- Rich text formatting --- Format messages with bold, italic, strikethrough, code blocks, links, and lists for clear communication. Learn more in Sending Messages.
- File sharing --- Drag and drop files or images directly into the conversation.
- Pinned messages --- Pin important messages so they are always easy to find in the channel header.
- Emoji reactions --- React to messages with emoji to acknowledge, agree, or add context without sending a new message.
- AI assistant --- Mention the Copera AI assistant in any channel to ask questions, summarize conversations, or get help with tasks.
- Message translation --- Translate messages on the fly to bridge language gaps across international teams.
Where Text Channels Appear
Text channels live in the Communicate section of the left sidebar. They are grouped under collapsible categories, and each channel displays an unread indicator when new messages arrive. You can also find and jump to any channel instantly using the Command Palette with Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K (Mac).
Next Steps
- Creating a Text Channel --- Set up a new channel for your team.
- Sending Messages --- Compose rich messages with formatting, files, and reactions.
- Threads --- Keep conversations organized with threaded replies.
- Mentions & Notifications --- Notify the right people and control your notification preferences.