Sending Messages
The message input at the bottom of every text channel is where conversations happen. Copera provides a rich text editor that supports formatting, file attachments, emoji, and more --- so you can communicate clearly without switching to another tool.
Composing a Message
Click on the message input area at the bottom of a channel to start typing. Press Enter to send the message, or Shift+Enter to add a new line without sending.
Rich Text Formatting
The editor supports a full range of formatting options. You can use the toolbar or Markdown-style shortcuts:
| Format | Toolbar | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | Bold button | **text** or Ctrl+B |
| Italic | Italic button | *text* or Ctrl+I |
| Strikethrough button | ~~text~~ | |
Inline code | Code button | `text` |
| Code block | Code block button | ```language |
| Link | Link button | [text](url) or Ctrl+K |
| Bulleted list | List button | - item |
| Numbered list | Ordered list button | 1. item |
| Blockquote | Quote button | > text |
Sharing Files and Images
You can share files directly in the conversation using any of these methods:
- Drag and drop --- Drag a file from your computer into the channel to upload it.
- Attachment button --- Click the attachment icon in the message input toolbar to browse and select files.
- Paste from clipboard --- Copy an image and paste it directly into the message input with Ctrl+V (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+V (Mac).
Uploaded images display as inline previews, while other file types show as downloadable attachments with their file name and size.
Emoji and Reactions
Adding Emoji to Messages
Click the emoji icon in the message input toolbar to open the emoji picker, then select an emoji to insert it into your message. You can also type emoji shortcodes directly (e.g., :smile: for a smiling face).
Reacting to Messages
Hover over any message to reveal the action bar, then click the emoji reaction button to add a reaction. Reactions appear below the message, and multiple people can add the same reaction --- the count increases to show how many participants reacted.
Reactions are a lightweight way to acknowledge a message, vote on an idea, or express agreement without writing a full reply.
Editing a Message
Made a typo or need to update something? Hover over your own message, click the more options menu (three dots), and select Edit. The message content loads back into the editor so you can make changes. Press Enter to save the edit or Escape to cancel. Edited messages display an "edited" label so other participants know the content was modified.
Deleting a Message
To delete a message you sent, hover over it, click the more options menu, and select Delete. Deleted messages are removed from the conversation for all participants. Channel admins can also delete messages sent by other members.
Pinning Important Messages
When a message contains information the team needs to reference frequently --- such as project guidelines, meeting links, or key decisions --- you can pin it to the channel.
- Hover over the message and click the more options menu.
- Select Pin.
- The message is now accessible from the Pinned button in the channel header.
Click the Pinned button in the header at any time to see all pinned messages in the channel. The badge on the button shows how many messages are currently pinned.
Forwarding a Message
Need to share a message with another channel or person? Hover over the message, open the more options menu, and select Forward. Choose the target channel or direct message, add an optional comment, and send. The forwarded message appears with a visual indicator showing where it originated.
Replying to a Message
To reply directly to a specific message (without creating a thread), hover over the message and click the Reply action. A preview of the original message appears above your input so everyone can see the context. This is useful for quick follow-ups. For longer discussions, consider using Threads instead.
Use Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the Command Palette, where you can quickly send a message to any channel without navigating away from your current view.